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:
- Lebanon condemns 'systematic' Israeli destruction in south
- Israel seeking to 'remove Palestine from world's agenda': Erdogan
Israel defense minister vows troops to stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza
Trump says US will 'keep' Hormuz strait control
Israeli forces close Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque, bar Muslim worshippers
Wednesday’s developments at a glance
Published: Aug 12, 2026 | 00:16 GMT | by AFP
The United States-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz remained at the center of global attention on Wednesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying Washington had “total control” of the strategic waterway and would keep it. The US military also said a helicopter fired on and disabled a Panama-flagged cargo ship attempting to break the American blockade of Iranian ports.
The energy market remained under pressure as the International Energy Agency sharply cut its 2026 oil-demand forecast, citing the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and elevated fuel prices. Oil prices rose, with Brent crude reaching around $89.67 a barrel, amid concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies.
In the Middle East, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the Israeli government of seeking to “remove Palestine” from the global agenda, while Lebanon condemned what it described as Israel’s “systematic destruction” in southern Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, meanwhile, vowed that Israeli forces would remain in a security zone in southern Lebanon and continue operations there, as well as in Syria and Gaza.
The Palestinian situation also remained tense, with Israeli forces closing Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshippers, while Israeli settlers continued to blockade Palestinian homes in the West Bank despite an attempt by the Israeli military to intervene.
On the economic front, U.S. consumer inflation eased slightly to 3.4% year-on-year in July, with the data potentially giving the Federal Reserve more room on interest-rate policy.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 12 live blog here.
