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US warns Iran it will step up economic pressure; two more ships attacked in Hormuz

US warns Iran it will step up economic pressure; two more ships attacked in Hormuz

By Jonathan Saul, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali LONDON/PANAMA CITY, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Transit through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to grind to a near standstill on Friday after two more ships were attacked there and the United States said it could maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely.
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Hormuz traffic slows further after US threatens more economic pressure on Iran

Hormuz traffic slows further after US threatens more economic pressure on Iran

By Jonathan Saul, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali LONDON/PANAMA CITY, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Transit through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to grind to a near standstill on Friday after two more ships were attacked there and the United States said it could maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely.
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President Trump Announces Intent to Declare Strait of Hormuz U.S. Territory Amidst Iran Conflict

President Trump Announces Intent to Declare Strait of Hormuz U.S. Territory Amidst Iran Conflict

President Trump announced his intention to "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory during a rally in Garden City, New York state. This statement comes amidst a five-month-old conflict involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran. The war's stated objectives, according to senior White House officials including President Trump, include ending Iran's nuclear program and instigating regime change. In response, Iran has targeted U.S. allies with drone and missile strikes and imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed before the conflict. The U.S. has countered with its own naval blockade of Iranian ships and ports, leading to a stalemate and soaring global energy prices. President Trump urged Americans to accept higher gas prices as a necessary cost for preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed President Trump's remarks, asserting ...
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Iran defiant on strait as Trump tells Americans to accept high gas prices

Iran defiant on strait as Trump tells Americans to accept high gas prices

By Enas Alashray, Menna AlaaElDin and Humeyra Pamuk CAIRO/GARDEN CITY, New York, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Iran called on the U.S. to accept defeat while President Donald Trump blasted Iran as "evil" and urged Americans to brace for continued high fuel prices. 
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President Trump Announces Plan to Declare Strait of Hormuz US Territory After Iran Conflict

President Trump Announces Plan to Declare Strait of Hormuz US Territory After Iran Conflict

President Trump announced on Friday, August 14, 2026, his intention to declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States once the ongoing conflict with Iran is resolved. This statement was made during a Long Island rally for Republican candidates. President Trump also criticized US allies, specifically NATO, for their perceived lack of assistance in securing the vital waterway. He acknowledged the economic impact of the nearly six-month conflict, including increased gas prices, but asserted that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons justifies the cost, stating Americans might pay "a tiny little bit more for your gasoline." This declaration follows the collapse of a preliminary peace deal with Iran last month, after Iran reportedly attempted to assert control over the strait by firing on commercial ships.
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Oil climbs over $1 on tanker attacks, no progrees on peace

Oil climbs over $1 on tanker attacks, no progrees on peace

HOUSTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Crude oil futures climbed over $1 a berrel on Friday on tanker attacks and a lack of progress on a peace agreement between the Trump administration and Iran's leadership. Brent futures settled at $88.52 a barrel, up $1.45, or 1.67%. U.S.
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Oil steadies after US threatens to blockade Iran indefinitely

Oil steadies after US threatens to blockade Iran indefinitely

By Helen Clark PERTH, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Oil prices inched higher on Friday after the U.S. threatened to maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, reviving crude supply concerns, after prices fell in the previous session on a weaker global demand outlook.
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Oil rises after US threatens indefinite blockade of Iran

Oil rises after US threatens indefinite blockade of Iran

By Mohi Narayan and Helen Clark NEW DELHI, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Oil prices gained on Friday after the United States threatened an indefinite naval blockade of Iran, reviving concerns about supply of crude after the previous session's fall on a weaker outlook for demand and a large build in U.S. stocks
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Trump touts drop in US crime rates with an eye on midterms

Trump touts drop in US crime rates with an eye on midterms

By Humeyra Pamuk and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff Garden City, New York, Aug 14 (Reuters) - U.S.
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President Trump Asserts U.S. Control Over Strait of Hormuz Amidst Transit Decline

President Trump Asserts U.S. Control Over Strait of Hormuz Amidst Transit Decline

President Trump has reiterated claims that the United States maintains 'total control' over the Strait of Hormuz, despite a significant drop in vessel transit due to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran. In a Truth Social post, Trump emphasized the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, describing it as a 'WALL OF STEEL.' The conflict has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of ships crossing the strait, with only eight vessels transiting on a recent day compared to the pre-war average of 130 to 140. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and reopen the strait have stalled, with Iran demanding the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade and sanctions.
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Senators press Rubio, Bessent on lack of counter-evasion sanctions on Russia

Senators press Rubio, Bessent on lack of counter-evasion sanctions on Russia

WASHINGTON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Two senior Democratic U.S. senators on Wednesday pressed Trump administration officials on why they have paused imposing fresh sanctions on companies, banks and other entities that help Russia evade existing restrictions over its invasion of Ukraine, even though peace
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US eyes indefinite Iran naval blockade as oil supply shortfall deepens

US eyes indefinite Iran naval blockade as oil supply shortfall deepens

By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali PANAMA CITY, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday threatened to maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, ratcheting up economic pressure on Tehran as ceasefire talks have floundered, global oil supply is dropping and regional tensions are rising.