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 Monday’s top developments here:
- Qatar condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist Israeli minister, settlers
- EU’s surrender to American coercion’ against Iran evidence of incompetence: Baqaei
- Gaza health officials say five killed in Israeli strikes
- PM Sharif meets Iranian President in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- Iran says two killed in US attack on island in Hormuz
Monday at a glance
Published: Aug 31, 2026 | 15:11 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz was in extremely good shape with US averaging 30 ships a night through the contested waters, adding that a lot of oil was coming out of the strait which was why the oil prices had not gone up.
Iran continued condemning countries and political groups siding with Trump in the Economic D-Day against Tehran. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei said on X that the European Union appeared to be “surrendering its sovereignty, its laws and regulations, its values and its ethics to American coercion.”
“The Union’s endorsement of America’s unlawful economic war constitutes a grave violation of international law, too,” he said, adding that every EU member state should be held accountable for the consequences of its contribution to this “wrongful act.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic where the two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties between Islamabad and Tehran.
Separately, Iran condemned renewed US attacks on its island of Larak and stated that strikes by Iranian forces on bases in Jordan were "legitimate defense."
Israeli airstrikes killed five people around Gaza City, a local hospital and rescuers said, with the Israeli army claiming it had targeted Hamas operatives.
For earlier developments, read our Aug 31 live blog here.