This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up on Wednesday's top developments here:
- Iran says has agreed new Hormuz route with Oman
- UKMTO reports vessel sunk after uncrewed surface vessel attack off Yemen
- Gaza reports more than 73,000 deaths since Israel siege began
Yemen's Houthis say attacked Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea
- Trump describes US-Iran talks as 'positive' after 'daylong' negotiations
Houthi attack injures 11 civilians in Saudi: Riyadh-led coalition
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 22:46 GMT | by AFP
An attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels late Thursday wounded 11 civilians in southern Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh-led coalition said, an unprecedented toll in the kingdom in over four years of hostilities.
They include seven Saudis, two Egyptians, a Yemeni, and a Pakistani, coalition spokesman General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement carried by the official Saudi news agency, adding that the attacks had taken place in the Najran region, on the border with Yemen.
Israel refuses to withdraw from more south Lebanon areas at talks: Source
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 20:01 GMT | by AFP
Israel refused in talks on Thursday to withdraw from more areas of south Lebanon unless the Lebanese army had full control of an initial two "pilot zones", a Lebanese presidential source told AFP.
The seventh round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel was held in Rome under US auspices, aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah that have become a second front in the Middle East war.
The Lebanese source told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that the talks had "not yielded definitive results regarding the pilot zones".
While the outlook from Beirut was dim, a US State Department spokesperson told AFP that the talks were "productive".
In June, Israel and Lebanon agreed a framework deal that involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in two "pilot zones."
Erdogan to visit Saudi Arabia Friday: Presidency
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 19:14GMT | by AFP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Saudi Arabia Friday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, Erdogan's office announced.
Pakistan has been acting as a mediator to try to end the US-Iran war that has drawn in several Gulf countries and paralysed maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Extremely happy with the job that Hegseth is doing: Trump
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 19:14GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump has said that he was very happy with the job Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, stating that everything had been "extraordinary," including the attack on Venezuela, where result was "accomplished in less than one day."
"Iran, where the country has been decimated for the purpose of NOT ALLOWING IT TO EVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON, is going very well!" Trump said.
"Pete is highly respected within the Military, and has made tremendous improvements, including getting rid of DEI, and increasing recruitment to historic levels," he said.
Yemeni govt says will respond to Houthi attacks 'at appropriate time'
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 18:32 GMT | by AFP
Yemeni authorities said Thursday they would retaliate to several Houthi rebel attacks earlier in the day, which medical sources said killed 38 government troops in the deadliest toll since a 2022 truce between both sides.
The defense ministry of Yemen's internationally recognised government said in a statement that its armed forces would respond to the missile and drone attacks "at the appropriate place and time".
Pakistan, seven Muslim countries condemn Israeli violations in Gaza
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 16:52 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan, along with seven other Islamic countries, strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip, particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the continued loss of civilian lives, including women and children, in a joint statement, the Foreign Office said.
The joint statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“The Ministers affirm that the continuation of these violations constitutes a clear breach of Israel’s obligations under international law and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,” the statement said.
The foreign ministers emphasized that the violations undermined international and regional efforts aimed at implementing the second phase of the plan, particularly following the announcement by US President Donald Trump that Palestinian factions had accepted the roadmap, including provisions relating to the confinement of weapons.
They warned that the violations threatened to derail the political process, reignite the cycle of escalation, and further deepen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The statement stressed that the protection of civilians, safeguarding of medical facilities and personnel, and ensuring the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, medical supplies and relief aid across Gaza were legal obligations that must not be compromised under any circumstances.
Israeli settlers attack West Bank Palestinian community, burn homes
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 15:12 GMT | by AFP
Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian community in the West Bank, injuring people, destroying homes and smashing their power source, the military and residents said Thursday, in the latest in a spate of violent confrontations.
AFP journalists in remote Khirbet al-Tuba saw buildings blackened by fire and smoke, the interiors of three homes completely burned and graffiti in Hebrew spray-painted on remaining structures.
The dozen solar panels the isolated southern community relies on for power had also been smashed to render them unusable.
Houthis say attacks on Yemen forces response to 'Saudi military buildup'
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 14:31 GMT | by AFP
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Thursday said they had attacked government positions in response to an alleged military buildup by neighbouring Saudi Arabia, while medical sources said at least 38 Yemeni troops were killed.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree accused the kingdom of a "large Saudi military buildup" to prepare for attacks. "Therefore, our armed forces conducted a large-scale and precise military operation targeting Saudi enemy troop concentrations," he added, referring to the Saudi-backed government's forces.
UN experts urge Iran to end 'targeting' of minorities
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 13:40 GMT | by AFP
UN rights experts urged Iran to end what they called the escalating arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and arbitrary executions of ethnic minorities.
"Iran's ethnic minorities must be able to live in safety and dignity, free from discrimination," the experts said.
The UN experts said that since the protests began, the Iranian authorities had reportedly detained thousands of individuals.
"Reports point to a significant increase in arbitrary arrests, and what appears to be politically motivated sentences, including against individuals from ethnic minorities, who are often arrested under broadly defined national security charges," the experts said.
OIC condemns Israeli aggression against Qalandia refugee camp
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 12:00 GMT | by Web Desk
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces in the Qalandia Palestinian refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, including military aggression, siege, raids, arrests, destruction of infrastructure and property, and the forced displacement of residents.
The condemnation comes in light of reports warning of the expansion of the ongoing military campaign to other refugee camps across the occupied West Bank.
The General Secretariat considered these actions to constitute a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Israeli forces raid refugee camp near West Bank city of Nablus
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 9:45 GMT | by Web Desk
Israeli forces carried out a raid Thursday in the Askar refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus, according to Palestinian state news agency WAFA, citing local sources.
The sources said several Israeli military vehicles entered the area through the Awarta military checkpoint before moving into eastern Nablus and the Old Askar refugee camp. The raid was part of ongoing Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank.
Lebanon state media reports new Israeli strikes in south
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 8:58 GMT | by AFP
Lebanese state media reported Israeli airstrikes and shelling overnight into Thursday morning, after Israel announced its first military fatalities in more than a month as renewed hostilities flared.
Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported that "the Israeli enemy escalated its attacks" on Tyre district with "a series of airstrikes and artillery shelling" that lasted from Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
Israeli committee approves settlement expansion plan near Jerusalem
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 5:21 GMT | by Web Desk
An Israeli municipal planning committee has approved a proposal to expand the Gilo settlement, an Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem, according to Israeli organization Ir Amim. The organization said the project could further separate Jerusalem from Bethlehem and the southern occupied West Bank.
Ir Amim said the Jerusalem Municipality's Planning and Building Committee approved plans to build about 2,300 housing units on around 20 hectares of land. The organization said the expansion would extend the Gilo settlement southward toward Route 60, a major road connecting Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
The proposal also includes the planned takeover of at least 2.8 hectares of privately owned land under Israel's Absentees' Property Law. Ir Amim said the law has been used by Israeli authorities to take control of Palestinian-owned property.
The project is part of a wider expansion of the Givat Hamatos and Har Homa settlements. The organization said the development would increase the separation between East Jerusalem and the southern occupied West Bank, further distance Bethlehem from Jerusalem, and expand Israeli settlements in the area.
Ir Amim also said the planned development covers Palestinian agricultural land and olive groves, which could be cleared if construction begins.
Israeli military says two soldiers killed in southern Lebanon
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 3:39 GMT | by AFP
Two Israeli reserve soldiers were killed during combat in southern Lebanon, the military said Thursday, where Israel has been fighting Hezbollah.
The army identified them as Major Harel Birenstock, 34, a company commander in the 2855th Battalion of the 55th Brigade, and Sergeant Major Tamir Vaknin, 33, in the same battalion.
Dow edges to record as markets parse prospects for Hormuz deal
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 00:28 GMT | by AFP
Stock markets climbed but then stalled Wednesday as investors digested a wave of company earnings that broadly surpassed expectations, while assessing the chances of a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
After pushing strongly ahead in early trading on Wall Street, momentum weakened for major US indices, with the tech-rich Nasdaq and broad-based S&P 500 finishing lower. The Dow still mustered a 0.5% gain, lifting it to a third straight record close.
"It's just a case of the market taking a breather right now," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare, adding that investors are still "operating with a bullish minded bias for the most part."
Oil prices also finished mixed as markets tried to parse the latest developments regarding a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran's foreign ministry said Iran and Oman have agreed a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are putting the final touches on arrangements for jointly managing the waterway.
But official sources briefing Iranian media stressed that any reopening of the strait would depend on the United States fulfilling what Tehran sees as its commitment to end its own naval blockade of Iran's ports.
"The factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States, particularly the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests," said Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, according to state news agency IRNA.
Oil prices had fallen sharply on both Monday and Tuesday as Trump administration officials said they were close to an accord with Iran that would reopen the Hormuz Strait.
Wednesday developments at a glance
Published: Aug 6, 2026 | 00:28 GMT | by Web Desk
Diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remained at the center of regional developments on Wednesday, as Iran said it had agreed with Oman on a route for ships transiting the strategic waterway and was finalizing arrangements for jointly managing the passage.
Iran said the geographical coordinates of the proposed route had been agreed, while the final wording of a joint statement was being prepared. US President Donald Trump also described negotiations with Iran as positive and said the strait would reopen soon.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt meanwhile called for continued diplomacy to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, while Israel said its military would continue operations in Gaza.
The key developments were:
Iran, Oman agree new Hormuz route: Tehran said it had agreed with Oman on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and was finalizing arrangements for jointly managing the passage.
Trump says US-Iran talks positive: US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were continuing after an “all-day discussion,” as Washington sought progress on reopening the strategic waterway.
R-4 urges regional diplomacy: Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt reviewed the regional situation and called for continued consultation and diplomacy to prevent further escalation.
Israel vows continued Gaza operations: Israel’s military chief said forces would continue to operate “proactively” in Gaza and pursue those responsible for the October 7 attack.
Israel rejects US-backed Gaza plan: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had not agreed to a US-backed proposal for Gaza, saying his government had submitted its own comments on the draft.
Israeli strike kills one in southern Lebanon: Lebanese state media reported that an Israeli strike on Tibnin killed one person and wounded 11 others.
Vessel sinks after attack off Yemen: UK Maritime Trade Operations said a vessel sank after being attacked by an uncrewed surface vessel southwest of Al Mukha, Yemen. The crew was rescued and reported safe.
Houthis claim attack on Saudi oil tanker: Yemen’s Houthis said they targeted the Saudi oil tanker *Wafa* off Yanbu with ballistic missiles, calling it the eighth Saudi tanker targeted since their maritime blockade began.
Gaza death toll surpasses 73,000: Palestinian medical sources cited by WAFA said 73,381 Palestinians had been killed and 174,231 wounded since the start of Israel’s military campaign.
Palestinians report tear gas exposure near Jerusalem: Palestinian officials said several people suffered breathing difficulties after Israeli forces used tear gas and stun grenades during a raid in Abu Dis.
West Bank communities report new restrictions: Palestinian communities reported movement restrictions around Solomon’s Pools near Bethlehem and disruption to water supplies near Nablus.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 5 live blog here