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 Thursday’s top developments here:

  • Bangladesh to positively consider joining Makkah pact if invited: Foreign minister
  • Britain appreciates Pakistan's ‘constructive role’ in promoting stability
  • Iran’s Ghalibaf says country in ‘full-scale economic war’
  • Islamabad says CDF Munir’s Tehran visit part of Pakistan’s ongoing mediation
  • Iran president to meet Russia's Putin during summit in Kyrgyzstan


No negotiations happening with Iran right now: White House

Published: Aug 28, 2026 | 03:00 GMT | by Web Desk


White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said that no negotiations are currently taking place with Iran, and the halt would continue until US President Donald Trump “feels that maybe they come to the table in a meaningful way,” Anadolu Agency reported.  


“We have not seen that yet,” Leavitt said.


“We’ve had Operation Epic Fury to destroy their military. Now we have Operation Economic Outcast to destroy their economy,” she said while giving an interview to Fox News.


“The United States is essentially controlling the Strait of Hormuz, which remains open thanks to President Trump and the United States military.”


US to push economic pressure on Iran at G20 finance talks: Report

Published: Aug 28, 2026 | 02:10 GMT | by AFP

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will step up efforts to isolate Iran economically as he hosts G20 counterparts next week, a US official said, in a gathering clouded by war and trade tensions.


In Asheville, US officials will stress to G20 members the importance of complying with its sanctions on Iran, as it ramps up pressure on Tehran amid war in the Middle East, a Treasury official told reporters.


The official signaled Bessent will make direct appeals to counterparts in bilateral meetings. But they stopped short of sharing who he had scheduled talks with and whether those talks included China.



Thursday at a glance

Published: Aug 28, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk


Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, met with Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, in Tehran and discussed regional developments, their impact on security and stability, and ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and foster a conducive environment for dialogue.


Separately, Pezeshkian also said that "war is not always the solution," stressing that problems that can be resolved through "reason and diplomacy" should not be addressed through confrontation.


Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also said that Tehran was facing an “all-out economic war,” adding that it would “win from the enemy in this arena,” as well.


Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Munir's visit to Tehran on Aug 24 was undertaken as part of Pakistan's efforts to mediate and help resolve the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.


Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told the parliament that if founding members of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement invite Bangladesh to join, then the South Asian nation would “definitely consider it positively.”

For earlier developments, read our Aug 27 live blog here.