Shafaq News- Doha

Qatar on Saturday denied holding three Iranian militarypilots whose aircraft was shot down during an attempted attack on the Gulfcountry, rejecting an Iranian allegation that the pilots had been detained formonths.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari dismissed theassertion as misleading, noting that Qatari authorities had reached out to thepilots after they violated the country's airspace and confirmed theirtrajectory.

“After following the rules of engagement & attemptingto communicate with them without receiving a response, the necessary measureswere taken to defend our territory in accordance with international law,” AlAnsari wrote on X, cautioning that Qatar had explained the circumstances of theattack through official channels with Tehran.

We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots & are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time, amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts & initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region.We reaffirm that…

— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) August 15, 2026

He further explained that Qatari search-and-rescue teamshad conducted operations to locate the pilots' remains, adding that Doha hadapproached Tehran to hand over the remains of one pilot who had been found.

“We issued an invitation for an Iranian team to visit theQatar to be briefed on the details of the search & rescue operations, butthe Iranian side has yet to respond to the invitation,” Al Ansari concluded.

On Saturday, in a letter to the International Committee ofthe Red Cross, Iranian military commander Seyed Mohammad Bagherzadeh allegedthat three Iranian military pilots whose aircraft were brought down over Qatariairspace in April had been held in Doha for months.

Iran previously confirmed that DNA tests had establishedthe death of Brigadier General Pilot Majid Kazemi, one of the crew members oftwo Su-24 aircraft downed over Qatar. The Iranian military also disclosed thatefforts to determine the fate of three other crew members from the two aircraftwere continuing.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran's Intelligence Ministry announced on Saturday the detention of two French diplomats over alleged interference in the country's internal affairs, saying documents linked to a suspected espionage operation bore the signature of France's former ambassador to Tehran.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the ministry said the diplomats were found at the site of a secret meeting during a court-authorized operation to arrest two suspects in a case involving alleged foreign infiltration and interference. Their identities were verified and Iran's Foreign Ministry was informed, it said.

The ministry claimed an initial investigation uncovered a broader espionage and foreign-interference operation involving covert contacts with individuals inside and outside Iran, surveillance of potential recruits and efforts to establish intelligence networks.

It accused the two diplomats of “previous violations of Iranian law and diplomatic obligations,” saying the case had been handled through diplomatic channels.

The ministry further noted that documents and agreements seized during the investigation carried the signature of France's former ambassador to Iran, and called on Paris to provide an official explanation.

Iranian authorities did not identify the two diplomats or the former ambassador in the statement.

Shafaq News- Kyiv/ Moscow

A Russian drone strike killed a three-month-old boy and wounded 11 people in Marhanets, Dnipropetrovsk region overnight into Saturday, according to Ukrainian media.

The drone hit a residential high-rise, injuring two children aged five and 12. Seven people were hospitalized in serious condition.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 152 drones and other unmanned aerial targets overnight, with air defenses destroying or suppressing 127 and impacts recorded at 16 locations. The Ukrainian General Staff separately recorded 233 combat clashes over the previous day, alongside 71 Russian airstrikes involving 241 guided bombs and 3,042 attacks on settlements and military positions.

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”Leonard CohenThe combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 2022 to August 15, 2026. pic.twitter.com/y4NNcXc2Pj

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 15, 2026

Moscow, meanwhile, claimed its air defenses intercepted 598 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over Russian regions, Crimea, and the Black and Azov seas. No casualty toll from those attacks had been confirmed.

The Russian Defense Ministry also confirmed strikes on military-linked infrastructure at the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Izmail, and Yuzhny using long-range drones, including fuel storage sites, port facilities, and military equipment depots.

On August 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv had submitted new proposals to US negotiators aimed at ending the war. Moscow continues to demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia and that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions –conditions Kyiv rejects.

The United Nations verified 437 civilians killed and 2,610 wounded in Ukraine in July, the highest monthly toll since May 2022, while the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, citing “credible Russian open-source reporting,” recorded 250 civilians killed and 1,596 injured inside Russia during the first half of 2026.

Shafaq News- Jakarta

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island on Saturday, killing at least 20 people and injuring six, while two others remained missing, according to the Maumere Search and Rescue Agency.

Rescuers had yet to reach Nagekeo, the area closest to the epicenter, due to landslides blocking roads and disrupting communications. About 2,000 residents evacuated, and houses, warehouses and government facilities were damaged.

Gibran pledges full response after 7.7-magnitude earthquake in NTT https://t.co/ac7csPphHz

— Antara English News (@AntaraEnglish) August 15, 2026

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) placed the epicenter about 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo at a depth of 15 kilometers. It later lifted its tsunami warning after minor waves of less than one meter were recorded in several areas. Dozens of aftershocks followed, while landslides and power outages disrupted parts of Flores.

Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent earthquakes. Flores was also struck by a major earthquake in 1992 that caused extensive destruction.

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened Iran with “strong economic strikes,” as his administration prepared new measures against Tehran amid stalled efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told Fox News that the timing of the measures would not be influenced by the US midterm elections.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier that additional measures unprecedented in the history of efforts to economically isolate a country would be announced next week, adding that Washington’s strategy combines financial pressure with the naval blockade restricting access to Iranian ports.

Last week, the State Department targeted currency exchanges, shell companies, banks, and financial facilitators it said had helped Tehran move hundreds of millions of dollars through the international financial system. Moreover, the Treasury Department designated two digital-asset exchanges and a multinational corporate network over the alleged laundering of billions of dollars, sanctions evasion, and cryptocurrency transfers for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Shafaq News- Ottawa

Canada imposed sanctions on five Iranian officials and figures on Friday over activities Ottawa said obstructed navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz and threatened international security.

Those sanctioned are Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters; its spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari; lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi, who heads parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee; Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani; and Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters Union.

The sanctions freeze any assets the five may hold in Canada, bar Canadians from dealing with them, and render them inadmissible to the country. The latest measures bring Canada’s Iran sanctions list to 232 individuals and 260 entities.

Canada said Iran announced the closure of Hormuz following US-Israeli attacks on Feb. 28 and subsequently threatened, seized, or targeted commercial vessels. More than 1,500 vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, while around 6,000 seafarers remain aboard ships unable to leave, according to figures cited by Ottawa.

Shafaq News- Washington

Ship movements through the Strait of Hormuznearly came to a halt, Reuters reported on Friday, explaining that nine vesselstransited the waterway on Thursday, up from five on Wednesday, but still belowthe August average of 12 vessels.

Kpler recorded only two vessels crossing thestrait, while a third tanker was heading into the Gulf through the waterway;none of them were carrying oil.

The sharp decline in traffic followed attackson two more vessels in the Strait, while Washington warned it could maintainthe naval blockade indefinitely.

Since Washington resumed its naval blockade ofIran on July 14, US forces have rerouted 62 commercial vessels, disabled three,and boarded two others to verify compliance, Central Command (CENTCOM) stated.

A U.S. Sailor directs an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter during nighttime flight operations aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) as the ship sails in the Arabian Sea and enforces the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 14, CENTCOM forces have redirected 62 commercial… pic.twitter.com/HDMlwcGzAq

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 14, 2026

Earlier today, a vessel was targeted whiletransiting Hormuz, with the United Arab Emirates blaming Iran for the incident.Tehran did not immediately respond to the accusation.

On August 13, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegsethsaid the military had the capacity to maintain a regional naval presence toenforce the blockade. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington alsoplanned further economic measures against Iran next week, describing them asunprecedented in the scale of financial isolation they would seek to impose.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down aUS MQ-9 drone over the southern province of Hormozgan, the group said onFriday.

The Aerospace Force downed the drone “using an advanced airdefense system operating under Iran’s integrated air defense network.”

The statement did not provide further details.

Shafaq News- Berlin

German authorities detained two Iraqi nationals in Saxony on suspicion of ISIS membership and fighting for the group between 2016 and 2017, the Dresden General Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday.

The suspects, aged 33 and 27, were detained on Tuesday and Thursday in Dresden and Koenigstein. The prosecutor’s office said the pair came to Germany after allegedly serving in different ISIS formations during overlapping periods and receiving monthly pay.

Three other Iraqi nationals were arrested in March and April in Saxony’s Plauen, Chemnitz, and Leipzig over alleged ISIS activity between 2014 and 2017, with two since formally charged, according to German media.

Shafaq News- Washington

US Vice President JD Vance stated Thursday that Washingtonhas the ability to pressure Iran into taking practical steps, whileacknowledging that relations between the two countries remain volatile.

In press remarks, Vance said the United States is focused onpreventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, expressing confidence that thecrisis will end in a way that strengthens the US position and prevents Tehranfrom acquiring one.

He identified energy affordability as the top objective,framing stable oil prices in the context of the Hormuz situation. “Oil priceswill return to stability after the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz ends.” Vance also criticized Iran for “failure to honor its commitments,”saying the problem is that Iranians “make promises they do not keep and reachan agreement and then do not abide by its terms.”

Earlier, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquartersaffirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian control, dismissingWashington's claims of “normal ship movement” through the waterway as lies. Citing Kpler data, the Wall Street Journal reported that half the vessels crossing the Strait inAugust used the Iran-operated route, while the other half concealed theirtracking data, with only two of 166 transits using the US-backed route.

Shafaq News- Tehran

The Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian control, Iran'sKhatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters affirmed on Thursday, dismissingWashington's claims of “normal ship movement” through the waterway as lies.

In a statement, the Headquarters maintained that no vesselcan pass safely through the Strait without Iran's permission and oversight.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed that theStrait of Hormuz is fully under US control, with ship transits coordinated withhis forces enforcing a naval blockade on Iran.

Citing Kpler data, the Wall Street Journal reported thathalf the vessels crossing the Strait in August used the Iran-operated route,while the other half concealed their tracking data, with only two of 166transits using the US-backed route.

Shafaq News- Ankara

Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan will establish new political and military coordination mechanisms and plan joint military exercises under the defense pact signed in Mecca last week, Turkiye’s Defense Ministry stated on Thursday.

The mechanisms will bring together the three countries’ defense and foreign ministers as well as their military chiefs, a ministry spokesperson told a weekly briefing in Ankara.

Mekke Ortak Savunma Anlaşması, NATO’ya alternatif veya rakip bir yapı olmayıp bölgesel güvenlik ve istikrara katkı sağlayarak uluslararası güvenlik mimarisini tamamlayıcı bir mekanizma olarak değerlendirilmektedir. #MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/gaW7LVcwvv

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) August 13, 2026

The three countries also plan regular joint military exercises, while defense-industry cooperation could include joint production and technology sharing.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed on Aug. 7, committing to treat an armed attack against one signatory as an attack against all three.

Read more: Mecca Defense Agreement unites Saudi, Turkiye and Pakistan

Shafaq News- Washington

Half the vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz in Augustused the Iran-operated route, while the other half concealed their trackingdata, with only two of 166 transits using the US-backed route, the Wall StreetJournal reported on Wednesday, citing Kpler data.

US President Donald Trump, however, said the United Stateshad “total control” of the strait, addingthat the US naval blockade is a “wall of steel” that Iran was unable tochallenge it.

Kpler figures showed earlier that traffic through thestrategic waterway had fallen to six vessels, compared with an average of about11 per day over the previous 10 days.

Chokepoint traffic rises, risks persistMaritime traffic increased through both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb on 11 August, but higher volumes have not translated into normalisation. Hormuz crossings rose to 14, with 11 using the Iranian Unilateral Scheme and none using… pic.twitter.com/szFMq6tO4c

— Kpler (@Kpler) August 12, 2026

On August 11, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said navy MH-60helicopter fired two missiles at the vessel’s engine room after its civiliancrew ignored repeated warnings while attempting to breach the US blockade,which remains in effect.

Shafaq News- Paris

The European Union and 26 countries condemned the executionof protesters in Iran and called for an immediate end to the use of the deathpenalty, according to a joint statement on Wednesday.

The signatories, including the EU High Representative, France,Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, said using capital punishment tosilence opponents, intimidate communities, or punish people for exercisingtheir fundamental rights could not be justified. They called on Iranianauthorities “to immediately end the use of the death penalty and release allthose arbitrarily detained.” They also urged Tehran to respond to demands forchange and take concrete measures to ensure respect for human rights.

Sept mois après les crimes de masse commis à l'encontre du peuple iranien qui se levait pour réclamer la justice et la dignité, le régime continue de faire couler le sang en multipliant les exécutions.Cette répression insupportable et inhumaine doit cesser. Ses responsables… pic.twitter.com/mbHsDniWzz

— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) August 12, 2026

The US-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, an independentorganization documenting human rights violations in Iran, recently said Iranianauthorities have carried out at least 916 executions, 15 of which occurred inAugust.

In May, Iran executed a man accused of providing “an enemy”with sensitive information about a defense-linked facility that was attackedthree days later. Authorities also detained 15 people in Fars province onaccusations related to “rioting.”

Iran saw nationwide protests beginning on December 28 overdeteriorating economic conditions. Tehran accused the United States and Israelof exploiting the unrest, saying peaceful demonstrations turned violent afterarmed groups infiltrated them.

Shafaq News- Islamabad

Three Pakistani nationals were killed in an attack on a commercialvessel in the Red Sea on Tuesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Darsaid Wednesday, describing the Houthi group's actions as a serious threat tonavigation, maritime security, and shipping traffic in the Red Sea.

“We are in contact with the relevant Saudi authorities, as well as theinternationally recognized Government of Yemen, to ascertain further details ofthe incident and the circumstances surrounding it,” he said.

Reuters, citing two sources in the Yemeni coast guard and internationally recognized governmentmilitary officials, reported that a small cargo ship came under a Houthi attackin the Bab al-Mandab strait on Tuesday, killing three crew members. Yemen's internationally recognized government coast guard later announced that the attack on the vessel left six people deadand 10 wounded.

I have learnt with deep concern about the unfortunate incident involving an attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea. According to the information available so far, three Pakistani nationals have lost their lives and one has sustained injuries in the incident. We extend our…

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) August 12, 2026

Shafaq News- Washington

US forces disabled the steering system of the Panama-flaggedcargo ship "M/V Villa Nova" while it attempted to cross the Gulf ofOman and breach the US blockade imposed on Iran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) statedon Tuesday.

A US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles atthe Villa Nova's engine room after its civilian crew ignored repeated warningsfrom US forces. The ship was consequently halted before crossing the Gulftoward Iran in violation of the US blockade, which remains fully in effect.

CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels that attemptedto breach the blockade, disabled three violating ships, and seized two otherssince the naval blockade on Iran resumed on July 14, the statement added.

Earlier today, CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the U.S. blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port.A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two hellfire… pic.twitter.com/hqY1g2Ng8q

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 11, 2026

Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reportedthat the US military facilitated 42 transits through the Strait of Hormuz overthe past 48 hours, while noting that Revolutionary Guard activities in thestrait continued during the same period.

Shafaq News- Washington

About 20 million barrels of oil left the Gulf on Aug.9, exceeding average flows recorded before the conflict, US Energy SecretaryChris Wright said on Tuesday.

Shipments through the Strait of Hormuz reached anaverage of nine million barrels per day (bpd) over the past week, Wright noted,attributing the level to coordinated efforts by the US military and its allies.Another five to seven million bpd moved through pipelines and upgraded exportfacilities, bringing combined average regional flows to around 15 million bpd.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the U.S. military and our gulf allies, the seven-day average for oil leaving the Strait of Hormuz is currently up to almost 9 million barrels per day.When combined with the additional 5-7 million barrels per day leaving the region via newly…

— Secretary Chris Wright (@SecretaryWright) August 11, 2026

Earlier today, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme NationalSecurity Council Mohsen Rezaei maintained that fully reopening Hormuz dependson Washington meeting Tehran’s conditions, including ending the wider regionalconflict and releasing frozen Iranian funds. A separate arrangement with Oman,he noted, could regulate transit without settling the broader dispute.

US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that theUS Navy had cleared mines from the Strait and gained “100%” control of thewaterway. “It's open now,” he told reporters at the White House, acknowledgingthat mines were still occasionally being laid but detected by US forces.

As of Aug. 9, US Central Command (CENTCOM) hadredirected 55 commercial vessels, disabled two, and boarded two others whileenforcing Washington’s naval blockade against Iran.

A US-Iran-Oman arrangement governing commercialnavigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved. Tehran’s demandsalso include lifting the blockade and sanctions, withdrawing US forces fromaround Iran, ending military operations against Tehran and its allies, andcompensation for war damage.

Shafaq News- Washington

The US Navy has cleared the Strait of Hormuz of mines and now exercises“100%” control over the strategic waterway, US President Donald Trump said onMonday.

“It’s open now. Look, the only one that has control of the Strait of Hormuzright now is the United States Navy,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Mineswere still occasionally being placed in the strait but were being detected byUS forces.

Earlier today, Trump stated he would include a demand forIran to compensate the families of protest victims in future negotiations,responding to Tehran’s calls for compensation over damage caused by thefive-month military conflict.

Shafaq News- Tripoli

A fire broke out in a storage tank at Libya's Al-Zawiya oildepot on Monday after it was hit, the state-owned Brega Oil Marketing Companysaid, without providing further details.

The company renewed its call for all parties to halthostilities and stay away from oil facilities.

Last week, a drone hit a tank containing untreated naphtha at the refinery,causing no casualties or fires.

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump on Mondayinstructed his representatives to demand compensation from Iran in all futurenegotiations, responding to Tehran’s calls for Washington to pay for damagecaused by the five-month military conflict.

Trump described Iran’s compensationrequest as a new element that had not previously surfaced in negotiations ormeetings and, in response, sought payments for the families of people heaccused Tehran of killing or seriously wounding, including Iranian protesters.

The USpresident also broadened the demand to cover “the damages and deaths” allegedly causedby Iran in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza.

Tehran has insisted it will notreopen the Strait of Hormuz until Washington meets its conditions. IranianForeign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei urged the United States to “stopand make amends for its illegal and destructive actions,” pointing to the USblockade of Iranian ports. Iran’s demands for ending the wider conflict includelifting the blockade and economic sanctions, receiving compensation for monthsof war damage, and securing the release of frozen Iranian assets.

Meanwhile, Iran is holding talkswith Oman over transit through the strategic waterway, including thepossibility of a temporary shipping corridor. Tehran has maintained, however,that any full reopening of the passage depends on negotiations with the UnitedStates.

Shafaq News- Washington

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had redirected 55commercial vessels, disabled two, and boarded two others by August 9 whileenforcing Washington’s naval blockade against Iran.

More than 20 US warships are currently deployed to theMiddle East for military missions, including the naval blockade against Iran,according to CENTCOM.

U.S. Sailors stand watch on the bridge of USS Ross (DDG 71). Ross is one of over 20 U.S. warships deployed to the Middle East supporting military missions, including strict enforcement of the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 9, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels,… pic.twitter.com/B5NCpX7Nxw

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 9, 2026

Axios reported today that US President Donald Trump signaledthat he was prepared to continue economic pressure on Iran rather than order anew major military operation. “We are low keying it,” Trump said, adding, “Weare only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its hugeinflation and the fact they have no money.”

A US-Iran-Oman agreement that would give Tehran partialcontrol over the Strait of Hormuz traffic remains pending, with Tehranconditioning the reopening of the waterway on the lifting of the US navalblockade and sanctions to drawing US forces from around Iran, ending the waragainst Iran and its allies, releasing frozen funds, and compensating Iran forwar damage.

Read more: Iran-Oman plan could reshape Strait of Hormuz shipping

Shafaq News- Istanbul

Imprisoned Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas on Sundayendorsed a bill that would reintegrate former Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)fighters into civilian life, a day before Turkiye's parliament is expected tovote on the measure.

Jailed since 2016 and still one of Turkiye's most prominentKurdish figures despite formally withdrawing from politics, Demirtas is theformer co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). He said themeasure could "fundamentally change the fate of our country andregion," stressing that the process was not intended to sow division,secure political bargains, or pursue fruitless negotiations.

The legislation is one of the most concrete steps yet towardending a conflict that has run since 1984 and killed more than 40,000 people.The PKK, founded in 1978, took up arms against the Turkish state in pursuit ofKurdish self-rule and is designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, theUnited States, and the European Union.

Selahattin Demirtaş ve Selçuk Mızraklı'nın Çerçeve Yasa görüşmelerine ilişkin Meclis Genel Kurulu’na gönderdikleri mesajhttps://t.co/QTmB8wQ52s pic.twitter.com/j1FCMqzO98

— DEM Parti (@DEMGenelMerkezi) August 9, 2026

Approved by parliament's Justice Committee on Friday, theproposal would suspend investigations and the enforcement of sentences againstformer fighters for periods ranging from five to 10 years. If no furtheroffense is committed during that period, cases would be closed, and sentencesdeemed served, an outcome that could amount in practice to an amnesty.

The bill excludes intentional killings carried out as partof PKK activities, along with offenses punishable by life imprisonmentcommitted before June 1, 2005. It does not address the status of PKK founderAbdullah Ocalan, 77, who has been held on Imrali Island, in the Sea of Marmara,since 1999. Ocalan has described the proposed law as "the key" toresolving the decades-old conflict, urging all sides to take responsibility forensuring the process succeeds.

The initiative has drawn support from President Recep TayyipErdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), its NationalistMovement Party (MHP) ally, and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and DemocracyParty (DEM Party).

Last year, Ocalan urged the PKK to convene a congress, laydown its arms, and formally disband, a call widely viewed as a potentialturning point in efforts to end the conflict.

Shafaq News- Gaza

Palestinian group Hamas on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to theUS-backed Gaza ceasefire, urging the Board of Peace to carry out its 15 agreedprovisions and set a clear timetable for their execution.

In a statement, the group maintained that the immediate priority shouldbe the full implementation of the agreement, including the completion of anIsraeli withdrawal, the opening of border crossings, the delivery of aid andshelter supplies, the start of reconstruction, and the launch of a nationalcommittee tasked with administering the second phase of the proposal.

Hamas reiterated its willingness to engage positively and responsiblywith any effort that will “end the suffering of our people and protect theirnational rights and interests.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday ruled outwithdrawing troops from Gaza until Hamas fully disarms and dismantles itsmilitary infrastructure. Israeli far-right National Security Minister ItamarBen Gvir also rejected the proposal, calling for Israel to continue itsmilitary campaign in the enclave. He contended that halting targeted killingswould allow Hamas to regroup, warning that “Israel must win.”

Read more: Hamas agrees Gaza arms framework linked to Israeli withdrawal

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei met President MasoudPezeshkian on Sunday in his first publicly reported meeting since taking overthe country's top leadership following the death of his father, Ayatollah AliKhamenei, in a joint US-Israeli strike on Feb. 28.

The meeting came as Pezeshkian began the third year of hispresidency, with talks focused on Iran's domestic challenges, including the"third imposed war," a reference to the current joint US-Israeli war,as well as military developments, plans to secure financial resources, managegovernment spending, and address the country's energy sector.

Economic cooperation with foreign parties also featured inthe discussions.

همزمان با آغاز سومین سال ریاست جمهوری دکتر پزشکیان صورت گرفت دیدار و گفتگوی رئیس‌جمهور با رهبر معظم انقلاب درباره مسائل اقتصادی و نظامی کشورآقای دکتر مسعود پزشکیان همزمان با شروع سومین سال ریاست‌جمهوری با حضرت آیت‌الله سیدمجتبی حسینی خامنه‌ای دیدار و گفتگو کرد.۱/۲

— رسانه رهبر انقلاب اسلامی (@Rahbarenghelab_) August 9, 2026

Since succeeding his father, Khamenei's public presence haslargely been limited to written statements carried by state media and officialgovernment accounts. No recent photographs, audio recordings, or video footageof him have been released. Sources close to the Supreme Leader have attributedhis limited public appearances to security and health considerations.

Pezeshkian has previously acknowledged that communicationwith Khamenei had become "extremely difficult," drawing furtherattention to the new supreme leader's limited public activity.

Shafaq News- Sanaa

Yemen’s Houthis (Ansarallah) said on Sunday that theytargeted Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery, linking the drone operation to allegedSaudi incursions over Saada and Hajjah provinces.

تمكنت القوات المسلحة اليمنية بفضل الله من استهداف مصفاة أرامكو في جيزان بطائرة مسيرة وكانت الإصابة دقيقة.يأتي هذا الاستهداف ردا على اختراق العدو السعودي بمسيراته أجواء محافظتي صعدة وحجة.

— العميد يحيى سريع (@Yahya_Saree) August 9, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry noted that Aramco crewsextinguished a fire at the facility early Sunday, with no injuries, but made noconnection to Ansarallah’s announcement.

فرق إطفاء الأمن الصناعي التابعة لشركة أرامكو السعودية تخمد حريقاً وقع فجر هذا اليوم الأحد الموافق 1448/2/26 هـ في إحدى المرافق التابعة لمصفاة أرامكو السعودية بجازان، بدون أي إصابات.وتستكمل الجهات المختصة الإجراءات اللازمة للتعامل مع الحادثة.

— وزارة الطاقة (@MoEnergy_Saudi) August 9, 2026

On August 7, Ansarallah struck Saudi-backed forces atSahn Al-Jinn camp in Marib with a “large number” of missiles and drones. The groupaccused Riyadh of reinforcing forces in Yemen and warned that further militarybuildups would draw an “immediate and severe” response, reiterating its “siegefor siege” policy and threats to target Saudi-linked forces wherever they aredeployed.