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:
- Houthi attack injures 11 civilians in Saudi: Riyadh-led coalition
Israel refuses to withdraw from more south Lebanon areas at talks: Source
Erdogan to visit Saudi Arabia Friday: Presidency
Pakistan, seven Muslim countries condemn Israeli violations in Gaza
Israeli committee approves settlement expansion plan near Jerusalem
Yemen condemns Iran's targeting of UAE oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 23:31 GMT | by Web Desk
Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs has condemned Iran's targeting of an oil tanker belonging to the United Arab Emirates while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The ministry described the incident as a serious threat to the security and safety of maritime navigation and commercial vessels.
It said the attack constitutes a violation of international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2817, which guarantees freedom of navigation and safe passage through international waterways.
The ministry held Iran responsible for the continuation of the attacks and their consequences, warning that their repetition would increase escalation and undermine the security and stability of the region and international trade.
It called for an immediate halt to the attacks and compliance with international law.
Qatar welcomes Security Council condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 20:48 GMT | by Web Desk
Qatar has welcomed a statement issued by United Nations Security Council members condemning rocket attacks launched by the Houthi group against Saudi Arabia since July 13, as well as attacks against commercial ships since July 22, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said.
In a statement, Qatar's Foreign Ministry said it welcomed the Security Council members' statement issued on August 7 and its condemnation of the attacks against Saudi Arabia.
The ministry expressed Qatar's full appreciation for the statement's affirmation of the need to adhere to international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216, and its rejection of acts that threaten regional security and the rights and freedoms of maritime navigation.
Qatar also renewed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures taken by the kingdom to preserve its sovereignty and security.
Iran’s new governance of Strait of Hormuz is irreversible: Army spokesperson
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 19:39 GMT | by Web Desk
The spokesperson for the Iranian Army said the United States has no choice but to accept the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the mechanism established by the Islamic Republic to control shipping through the strategic waterway is irreversible, IRNA reported.
Addressing a public gathering in Tehran, Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia referred to new rules governing the Strait of Hormuz and said the Iranian Armed Forces were standing firm until the order was fully established, it added.
US trying to maximize amount of oil, gas coming out of Hormuz: JD Vance
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 17:34 GMT | by Web Desk
US Vice President JD Vance said that Washington seeks to maximize oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, while maintaining pressure on Iran.
“We’re just trying to make sure we get what we need out of this particular conflict,” Vance tells Fox News, adding that the US has destroyed Iran’s military and Tehran's nuclear program.
“Right now, we’re trying to see if they’re willing to make the kind of long-term changes that would be necessary to have a better relationship with the United States. If not, that’s fine too,” Vance added.
Vance reiterated that the US will keep applying the pressure and get as much oil and gas out of the Middle East so Americans can enjoy low gas and energy prices.
Saudi Arabia condemns attack on UAE tanker
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 17:16 GMT | by Web Desk
Saudi Arabia condemned an attack on an Emirati tanker as it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
“These rejected attacks are an assault on the security and safety of maritime navigation, and on the security of global energy supplies,” the kingdom’s foreign ministry said.
Oman says Hormuz talks 'positive' but warns against attacks on ships
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 14:25 GMT | by AFP
Oman said Saturday that negotiations with Iran about the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz were "positive and constructive", but warned against repeated attacks on shipping.
Oman's foreign ministry condemned "repeated attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz", without naming Iran. It added that "ongoing negotiations regarding navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz are proceeding in a positive and constructive atmosphere", and urged against any actions that might jeopardise the progress.
Ship struck by 'unknown projectile' in Hormuz: British maritime agency
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 13:23 GMT | by AFP
A ship was hit by a projectile off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire that was extinguished but no casualties, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
"A verified source has reported that a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile which caused a fire that has been extinguished. There is no reported environmental impact. The vessel and crew are reported as safe," it said.
UAE says Iran targeted tanker as Tehran says Hormuz deal with Oman close
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 12:16 GMT | by AFP
The United Arab Emirates on Saturday said Iran had targeted a tanker belonging to the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE foreign ministry in a statement condemned what it called a "hostile Iranian attack that targeted a tanker belonging to ADNOC with a missile while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, without causing casualties".
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said that talks with Oman were "approaching the final stages" but cautioned that "this is not a sign of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz".
"The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to other conditions and compensation for the violation of the memorandum of understanding by the United States," he said, referencing a June agreement between the US and Iran to set terms for peace talks.
Lebanon says Israeli troops built earth barrier in Lebanese army-held village
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 11:41 GMT | by AFP
Israeli troops infiltrated a Lebanese village placed under the control of Lebanon's army as part of a June agreement and built an earthen barrier overnight Friday, Lebanese state media and the local mayor said.
"An Israeli occupation army force advanced into the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya shortly after midnight... and erected a new earthen barrier near the town square," Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported on Saturday.
Zawtar al-Gharbiya was one of two designated "pilot zones" where the Lebanese army was to take over as part of a US-sponsored framework agreement signed with Israel in the wake of the latter's invasion and occupation of southern Lebanon.
Death toll in Lebanon from Israeli attacks reaches 4,335: Lebanese health ministry
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 09:40 GMT | by Web Desk
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said that the death toll from the latest Israeli aggression against the country has risen to a total of 4,335.
Lebanon’s state-run news agency NNA, quoting a statement from the ministry said that at least 4,335 people have been killed since the Israeli aggression began on March 2, 2026.
The statement further said that 12,273 people were injured during the Israeli attacks.
UAE condemns Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's Najran
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 08:35 GMT | by Web Desk
The United Arab Emirates on Saturday condemned a Houthi attack on Najran, Saudi Arabia, calling it a violation of Saudi sovereignty and a threat to its security and stability.
In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said the country stands with Saudi Arabia and supports measures to protect its security and stability. It said the attack violated Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and threatened its security and stability.
Yemen army launches operation against Houthis
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 07:50 GMT | by Web Desk
Yemen’s military launched an operation against Houthi positions after attacks on military camps in Marib and Hadhramaut, army spokesman Col Majid al-Nuzaili said, according to Anadolu Agency.
Al-Nuzaili said the operation targeted Houthi fighters and military equipment on several fronts. He warned that the army would respond to any further attacks.
He also accused the Houthis of pulling Yemen into regional conflicts and said the group has harmed the economy and fueled sectarianism.
Three Palestinians wounded by Israeli gunfire in southern Gaza
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 07:10 GMT | by Web Desk
Three Palestinians were wounded by Israeli gunfire in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
According to the Palestinian news agency, Israeli forces fired at a group of Palestinians north of Khan Younis. Israeli military vehicles continued targeting areas east of Salah al-Din Street near the Wadi Gaza bridge in central Gaza.
Homes damaged in Israeli artillery strike on Lebanese town
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 05:51 GMT | by Web Desk
Lebanon’s National News Agency reports that Israeli artillery shelled the vicinity of the town of al-Mansouri early Saturday morning.
The shelling damaged several houses in the area, according to the Lebanese news agency NNA.
UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, commercial vessels
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 05:37 GMT | by Web Desk
The UN Security Council condemned Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels, while denouncing unauthorized aircraft landings at Yemeni airports.
In a press statement, council members expressed concern over heightened tensions in Yemen and warned that the developments risk further escalation and threaten regional security and navigational rights.
The council also reaffirmed Yemen’s sovereignty, stressing that all flights to Yemeni airports must be coordinated with and receive prior authorization from the Yemeni government.
Houthi attacks kill 10 in Yemen as rebels target oil-rich Marib
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 00:08 GMT | by AFP
Houthi attacks on a strategic Yemeni province killed at least 10 people Friday, according to a minister and military source, as the rebels escalated strikes on the oil-rich region.
A 2022 truce between the Houthis and the Yemeni government unravelled last month, and at least 58 government troops were killed in rebel missile attacks on Marib province on Thursday.
The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said in a statement that the country "today faces a greater risk of renewed large-scale conflict than at any point since the UN-brokered truce of April 2022". He called on both sides to show "restraint" and to return to "good faith negotiations".
A Yemeni military source told AFP that the latest Houthi attacks in Marib killed eight members of government forces and wounded 12 others.
Friday's developments at a glance
Published: Aug 8, 2026 | 00:03 GMT | by AFP
Regional tensions remained high on Friday as Houthi rebels claimed attacks on Yemeni government forces in Marib, where at least two civilians were also killed and 14 injured. At least 58 government troops were reported killed in Houthi missile and drone attacks on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end “pretty soon” and expressed hope that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, while oil prices extended gains amid renewed concerns over the key waterway.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed regional security and efforts to ease tensions with Mauritania’s foreign minister. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, linked the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to what he described as threats against Iran.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi received a renewed invitation to visit Riyadh after his earlier trip was cancelled following deadly US-Saudi strikes in Iraq. French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also discussed regional developments and bilateral cooperation.
Israeli forces were reported to have opened fire on water department workers repairing infrastructure in southern Lebanon, while Yemen’s Houthis claimed another attack on a government-held military camp in Marib.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 7 live blog here