{
  "id": 1706934,
  "title": "Latest developments in US-Iran war",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/latest-developments-in-us-iran-war",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T11:26:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/18/latest-developments-in-us-iran-war"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "DUBAI: Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US addresses Tehran's demands. These demands include the lifting of a naval blockade, the elimination of oil sanctions, and the unfreezing of Iran's assets held abroad. Ghalibaf's ultimatum was broadcast on state television, as Iraq faces pressure from Washington to disarm powerful Iran-backed armed factions. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthis targeted an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia's Jazan with drones, in retaliation for airspace violations in Yemen's Saada and Hajjah regions. The attack resulted in a crew casualty, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations. In response, Iran imposed an effective blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to charge users for passage, a move the US strongly opposes. An explosion at a petroleum products depot in Iraqi Kurdistan injured 18 people on Tuesday, though there were no fatalities reported. US President Donald Trump's envoy, Jared Kushner, stated that the United States and Iran are having \"very positive and active conversations,\" though he acknowledged the lack of trust between the two nations. Trump vowed to be patient and emphasized that the US would only agree to a deal that meets its criteria, including Iran not possessing nuclear weapons.",
  "summary": "US president Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of a US deal with Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Latest developments in US-Iran war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/latest-developments-in-us-iran-war-1710816",
        "published": "2026-08-18T11:26:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}