Morning recap

Good morning Middle East Eye readers. Here are the key developments from across the region:

Several nations have been put on notice by Tehran. The Iranian government has declared that any state entering into US sanctions against Iran will be treated as an enemy. This warning comes with the threat of blocking oil exports through the strategically important Hormuz Strait.

While the United States continues its confrontational stance, President Donald Trump repeatedly posted an image on his Truth Social account, asserting that Hormuz Strait is US territory.

In another diplomatic move, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a two-day visit starting Sunday. The purpose of the visit is expected to span a wide range of topics, from esports to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Hamas leader Osama Hamdan has revealed that the group informed US envoy Jared Kushner that it would not adhere to any provisions of President Trump’s Gaza peace deal unless Israel officially accepts them.

Iran has accused both London and Paris of making a "deliberate choice" to collaborate in crimes committed by Israel. This includes supplying the Jewish state with weapons and extending any form of support.

In a separate incident, an Israeli settler was captured on camera brutally assaulting an elderly, disabled Palestinian man in the West Bank. In response, Israeli forces have restricted access to one village, raising concerns over the deteriorating situation in the region.

According to the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, the number of illegal Israeli settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank has reached 592 by the end of July.