Middle East


Trump declares Strait of Hormuz as 'new US territory,' day after MoU deadline expires

US President Donald Trump's Truth Social post declaring Strait of Hormuz a new US territory, August 18, 2026.

Tehran readies to crush renewed unrest, risking war to maintain control in Strait of Hormuz

 Iran's police forces walk on a street during the revival of morality police in Tehran, Iran, July 16, 2023

Iran's drone strike on Kurds may be warning over Trump administration's backchannel, analyst says

Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.