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 Friday's top developments here
- US sanctions on Iran 'not the solution': China
- European Commission president terms Israel's E1 settlement project decision as 'unacceptable'
- Araghchi says Trump’s ‘economic operation’ bound to fail
- Turkiye issues genocide warrant for Israel's Netanyahu
- Oil, stocks reel after Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ plan
Friday’s important developments at a glance
Published: Aug 22, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donald Trump said that Iran "would love to make a deal" to end the conflict between the two countries but was "not ready to make the right deal," adding that the US had "total control of that entire region having to do with the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Trump’s “most crushing economic operation” was bound to fail, stating the world had "seen this movie before.”
“14 years ago: ‘Most crippling sanctions in history.’ Failed; 8 years ago: ‘Maximum pressure.’ Failed; 5 months ago: ‘Unconditional surrender.’ Failed,” Araghchi said.
Meanwhile, China pushed back on US increased economic sanctions on Iran, stating that it was "not the solution" to the conflict between the two countries, calling on "parties to act responsibly and stick to the political and diplomatic approach."
Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said it was time to end the months-long Middle East war with the US because Tehran appeared to be in a stronger position than Washington.
"It is better that we bring the war to an end now as we are in a position of power and dignity," Pezeshkian said.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 21 live blog here.