International

Trump Warns Iran: Open Hormuz or Get ‘Hit Very Hard’ as 48-Hour Deadline Looms

Published

7 days ago

August 5, 2026

Trump Warns Iran: Open Hormuz or Get ‘Hit Very Hard’ as 48-Hour Deadline Looms

United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran it will be “hit very hard” unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened “very soon,” while insisting that talks between the two sides were ongoing despite Tehran flatly denying any direct negotiations were taking place. Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday during a visit to California, Trump said he preferred a diplomatic resolution but left no doubt about the consequences of failure. “The strait is going to be open very soon, or they are going to get hit very hard, and then the strait’s going to be open,” he said. “If they back out again, they are going to get hit really hard. They know that. They understand that. I have no choice.” The president also described the planned military operation as extensive and still on the table despite his decision to pause it over the weekend. “It’s very tough to do what we have planned, still planned. We’ll see what happens,” he said, adding that he was “very proud” of giving Iran a chance to negotiate before launching what he suggested would be a large-scale assault. “We hit them very, very hard. But the hard hit is yet to come, and hopefully we won’t have to use it.” Trump simultaneously accused Iran of duplicity for publicly denying it was in talks with Washington. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous! They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg,’ talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealing with ‘Oman’.” He added that “nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry flatly rejected Trump’s characterisation. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was not holding direct discussions with the United States and was only engaged in talks with Oman regarding a temporary safe route through the strait. “Discussions are currently focused on a possible navigation corridor for two-way vessel traffic. That initiative is unrelated to negotiations on fully reopening the strait. It is a separate issue,” Baghaei said. Baghaei added that all Iranian negotiators were currently in the country, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on a religious pilgrimage in Iraq and unavailable for negotiations at least until the end of the week. The only exception, he said, was the ongoing bilateral discussions with Oman as the two coastal states responsible for the waterway.

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According to Axios, which cited unnamed regional and US officials, the United States, Iran, and Oman are nearing an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington hoping to announce the deal as early as Wednesday. The proposed arrangement would be a 60-day agreement for safe passage in the strait between Iran and Oman, with negotiators working on final details. Under the reported framework, ships entering the Persian Gulf would travel north through Iranian territorial waters, while outbound vessels would travel south through Omani waters in coordination with Tehran. The agreement would not involve the collection of transit fees or tolls, and the parties would clear mines from the central shipping lane within 30 days. A US official and one regional source told Axios that Iranian leadership had completed the approval process for the agreement on Tuesday. While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that progress had been made in discussions with Iran, he noted that talks had not yet been finalized but that the White House was “hoping” for an agreement “in the very near future.”

Iran’s senior officials have taken a defiant stance, warning the United States against any adventurous actions. The Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated that Tehran views Hormuz as a crucial source of strategic leverage that it cannot afford to surrender, while Washington insists that Iran must not be allowed to control an international waterway. Iran continues to insist that any agreement must leave it in control of the Strait of Hormuz. Regional officials told The Associated Press that any agreement to reopen Hormuz would also require the removal of the current US blockade on Iranian ports. Meanwhile, Iranian military sources have denied Trump’s claim that Tehran asked Washington to call off its strikes, calling his remarks “a new lie,” according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.

The diplomatic confusion was underscored when another cargo vessel was attacked near the strait’s Omani coast on Tuesday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) reported receiving multiple reports that a tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile approximately eight nautical miles east of Oman’s Limah. The tanker’s crew abandoned the vessel and boarded a lifeboat, with the vessel’s main engine disabled and a bunker tank on fire. The UKMTO did not identify the ship or its owner, and authorities are investigating. Separately, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that two oil tankers had caught fire after explosions while attempting to transit the southern route of the strait, though Reuters could not independently verify the Guards’ statement.

The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has sent oil prices soaring and placed heavy pressure on Trump to stop the fighting, partly because of the effect rising energy prices could have on American voters ahead of the November congressional midterm elections. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had earlier told CNBC that a deal to reopen the strait could come as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, saying there were “hundreds if not 1,000 ships sitting in there waiting to go out,” including tankers carrying oil, fertiliser, refined products and industrial gases. Trump has vowed that Iran will not be permitted to collect transit fees in the strait, declaring, “If anyone is allowed to collect fees, it will be us. We have complete control.” The president had previously said he expected to know by Tuesday how the talks were going, “one way or the other,” but insisted that the path forward is clear. As the 48-hour window unfolds, the world watches to see whether the negotiations will yield a breakthrough or whether Trump will follow through on his threat to unleash a devastating military campaign. “If they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be too bad. And we have much more on Iran coming up,” Trump said. All parties remain on high alert, with the potential for a catastrophic escalation in West Asia now greater than at any point since the conflict began.

Trump Warns Iran: Open Hormuz or Get ‘Hit Very Hard’ as 48-Hour Deadline Looms

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International

US, Iran Nearing Peace Agreement, Pakistan Defence Minister

Published

4 hours ago

August 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump

US, Iran Nearing Peace Agreement, Pakistan Defence Minister

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has stated that the United States and Iran are close to reaching “some sort of an arrangement,” pointing to renewed diplomatic momentum as Islamabad continues its mediating role between the two longstanding adversaries. Asif made the comments in an interview with Bloomberg News in Islamabad on Tuesday, saying recent signals indicated that Washington and Tehran were moving closer to a deal that could ease tensions in the Middle East. “Things are shaping up again in favor of a peace arrangement or a deal,” Asif said, adding that “the signals in the last two three days are that we are close to some sort of an arrangement.” His remarks come as Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is currently meeting Iranian leadership in Tehran as part of Islamabad’s renewed push for resolution of the standoff, particularly concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz. A Pakistani government source told Anadolu Agency that Naqvi would share “some new proposals” with the Iranian leadership to resolve the impasse, though details of the proposals were not disclosed. Asif emphasised that a long-term peace agreement between the United States and Iran would be beneficial not only to both countries but to the broader Middle East region. He said the emerging signals were favourable to peace, but cautioned that further negotiations would be required before any agreement could be considered final. His remarks did not amount to an announcement of a completed deal, and there has been no official confirmation from Washington or Tehran that a final agreement has been signed.

The latest indications follow months of conflict and repeated diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a durable settlement. Pakistan has positioned itself as a potential bridge between Washington and Tehran, using its relations with both countries to support negotiations. In June 2026, Pakistan facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signing as mediator. The MoU entered into force with immediate effect, with Iran agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States committing to lift its naval blockade as a first step. However, subsequent talks stalled over disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the war. Pakistan’s National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution in June recognising the country’s efforts in facilitating the peace agreement, describing Pakistan as a “trusted and neutral mediator on the global stage.” The resolution appreciated the role played by PM Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in the negotiations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif previously told parliament that Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir had played “the most crucial role” in securing the peace agreement and had worked tirelessly over several months. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly telephoned Sharif to thank Pakistan and specifically acknowledged Munir’s role.

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on August 8 that Iran would continue pursuing a “path of peace” with the United States under the MoU, but stressed that Tehran’s participation in negotiations would depend on Washington creating an atmosphere of trust. “We are determined to use the MoU as the basis provided that the United States lets go of the atmosphere of distrust it has created, and an atmosphere of trust is formed,” Pezeshkian said at a press conference. US Vice President JD Vance also acknowledged “some progress” in talks with Iran, telling Fox News that Washington is focused on maximizing the amount of oil and gas coming out of the Strait of Hormuz. Vance noted that Iranians and Gulf countries, particularly Oman, have been discussing how to ensure the safe flow of traffic through the waterway. A Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday that talks between Iran and Oman about reopening the Strait of Hormuz to some maritime shipping have reached an “advanced stage.” However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that reopening the strait would depend on other conditions, including “compensation” from the United States for “violating” the MoU.

Despite the diplomatic progress, Israel has explicitly rejected Pakistan’s involvement in regional peace efforts, citing deep-seated distrust. Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, told ANI: “We don’t trust the Pakistanis. I think that their behaviour has been reprehensible, their approach towards Israel, the anti-Semitic remarks of their defence minister, etc.” The comments came after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made controversial remarks on social media in April 2026, labelling Israel as “evil” and a “curse for humanity,” and referring to the country as a “cancerous state.” Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also declared that Israel is not bound by the US-brokered agreement, stating: “Trump’s agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subject to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign nation!”

The reported progress comes amid continuing regional tensions, with the US and Iran having exchanged military strikes in July 2026. A successful agreement could ease those tensions and create the basis for a longer-term diplomatic settlement between Washington and Tehran, though several significant obstacles remain. These include Israel’s opposition to Pakistan’s involvement and to the broader agreement, unresolved issues over Iran’s nuclear program, disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation, and a lack of trust between the parties, with Iran demanding compensation from the US.

Asif said the emerging signals were favourable to peace, but further negotiations would be required before any agreement could be considered final. For now, however, there has been no indication from the United States or Iran that a final agreement has been signed, leaving the reported progress subject to further negotiations. Pakistan’s involvement has given Islamabad a prominent diplomatic role in the efforts, with Pakistani officials repeatedly expressing support for a negotiated settlement. The reported progress comes amid continuing regional tensions and wider concerns over the impact of the US-Iran confrontation on security and stability across the Middle East.

US, Iran Nearing Peace Agreement, Pakistan Defence Minister

International

University Student Stabbed to Death Over Alleged £3,000 Debt, Fake Rolex

Published

12 hours ago

August 11, 2026

Trends Admin

University Student Stabbed to Death Over Alleged £3,000 Debt, Fake Rolex

A De Montfort University student was fatally stabbed in the heart while on the phone to his girlfriend after a falling out with a friend over an alleged £3,000 debt and a fake Rolex watch, a murder trial has heard. Khaleed Oladipo, 20, was walking home from his girlfriend’s flat in Leicester on February 3 when he was attacked by Harper Dennis, 18, a first-year student at the University of Leicester, prosecutors told Leicester Crown Court. The two had been friends through online gaming and were part of a Snapchat group, but their relationship soured over money.

Oladipo was on the phone with his girlfriend when he was stabbed five times in the chest, with one wound penetrating his heart. His girlfriend heard him say, “Why did you come up and stab me?” before he asked her to call an ambulance. The stabbing was captured on a passing car’s dashcam, which showed the two men engage in a “short struggle” before falling to the ground. A witness recalled seeing “a snowstorm of feathers” from their puffer jackets during the attack. Prosecutors said the defendant’s arm movement was “consistent with the stab wounds inflicted to the left hand side of Khaleed’s chest.” The attack lasted “in reality, seconds,” according to prosecutor Jane Osborne KC. Oladipo collapsed and never regained consciousness. A post-mortem examination found he had suffered six wounds, five to the chest, with the fatal stab wound being 13cm deep. He was pronounced dead just over an hour later at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

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The court heard that Dennis perceived Oladipo owed him £3,000. The dispute was fueled by an incident involving a fake Rolex watch that Oladipo had given Dennis to sell. Oladipo had allegedly advised Dennis not to go to certain jewellers because the watch was counterfeit. When Dennis attempted to sell it at a jeweller’s in Hatton Garden, London, he was “laughed at” and left “embarrassed and angry.” Messages between the two showed the deteriorating relationship, with Dennis sending a Snapchat message on Boxing Day saying he would “dedicate his life to making sure you suffer for what you did.” On Christmas Day 2025, Dennis allegedly made two anonymous threatening phone calls to Oladipo’s girlfriend, saying Oladipo was “a bad guy” who owed £3,000, and intimating he would come to her if the money was not paid. Financial records showed a final transfer of 60p from Oladipo to Dennis on Christmas Day with the reference “5999 to go.”

Dennis was arrested at his accommodation later that evening. Police seized his mobile phone, but he refused to provide the PIN code. A search of his flat found four knives, including a Kombat Tactical knife with serration. He had also given a flatmate a black bin bag containing the clothing he was seen wearing in CCTV footage at the time of the attack. Dennis, who denies murder, claims he acted in self-defence. He is also charged with possession of a bladed article and failing to provide the PIN for his phone. The trial, expected to last three weeks, continues.

University Student Stabbed to Death Over Alleged £3,000 Debt, Fake Rolex

International

Death Toll Rises to 132 as 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Western Colombia

Published

14 hours ago

August 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Death Toll Rises to 132 as 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Western Colombia

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday has claimed at least 132 lives, with more than 570 people injured, according to the latest update from the Colombian government. Newly sworn-in President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared a state of national disaster as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors trapped under collapsed buildings across multiple cities. The quake, which struck at 7:34 a.m. local time, had its epicentre near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, approximately 400 kilometres west of the capital, Bogotá. The Colombian Geological Service reported a depth of 96 kilometres, while the US Geological Survey placed it at 107 kilometres. The tremor was felt as far away as Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela, prompting building evacuations across the region.

President Espriella, who assumed office just three days before the disaster, has directly assumed leadership of the emergency response in San José del Palmar. In a message to the nation, he stated: “I have ordered the installation of a Unified Command Post to coordinate the attention to damages and those affected. I will personally be in Pereira to accompany those affected and verify the government’s response. You are not alone. The State is present and acting.” The government has mobilised the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts.

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The preliminary government assessment paints a grim picture of the devastation, with the coffee-growing region of Risaralda recording the highest death toll at 42 fatalities. The full extent of the destruction includes at least 61 buildings collapsed and over 1,500 homes damaged, 18 health centres, 52 schools and 17 community centres damaged, 18 roads affected by the tremor, and operations suspended at seven airports, including Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, Armenia, Cartago, and Buenaventura, pending structural inspections.

The city of Pereira has been one of the hardest-hit areas, with officials describing “serious damage to some buildings” and “shocking images of people injured and building facades collapsed.” In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, at least 20 buildings have collapsed, with people trapped inside. Mayor Alejandro Eder has requested support from rescue workers in Bogotá and Medellín, urging citizens to remain calm and check for structural damage at their homes. The mayor of Manizales reported significant damage, including the clock tower of the Cathedral Basilica now slumped at a dangerous angle.

The earthquake, described as the strongest recorded in Colombia in the last decade by the Colombian Geological Service, has been followed by at least two aftershocks with magnitudes of 2.8 and 4.8. The US Geological Survey reported that approximately 1.5 million people experienced “very strong” shakes severe enough to cause damage to unreinforced masonry buildings.

The United States has announced it will commit $15.5 million in emergency funding to Colombia to provide shelter, food, protection, and earthquake assessments for victims. “We are united in prayer with the Colombian people and stand ready to support President Abelardo de la Espriella and his government as they assess the needs on the ground,” the US State Department stated. The department is also actively assisting American citizens affected by the earthquake. The European Union has offered support through its Copernicus satellite system, with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen stating, “Europe’s heart is with the people of Colombia.” The Chinese Embassy in Colombia has confirmed that, as of the latest reports, no Chinese nationals were among the casualties.

Rescue efforts continue as authorities work to reach isolated communities and provide assistance to thousands displaced by the disaster. Vice-President José Manuel Restrepo Abondano has pledged that the government “will not rest until that aid reaches every family that needs it and contributes to the recovery of the affected territories.”