Iran-US war latest: Trump declares Strait of Hormuz as US territory with bizarre Truth Social map

President Donald Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz as US territory in a new post on Truth Social. Sharing a bizarre map of the region with a large blue circle over Hormuz, the picture declared the vital shipping route as “NEW US territory”. He later said that there are “no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled” with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran had earlier said the shipping route is to remain closed until the US meet the conditions agreed in an interim deal, according to Iran’s top negotiator Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf in comments shared by state media. Conditions include lifting a marine blockade and sanctions as well as freeing Iran’s frozen assets. President Donald Trump has separately threatened to attack Oman – a US ally – if it "gets in the way" of his efforts to force a peace deal with Iran. “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s**t out of them,” Trump told Fox News, after reports that Oman and Iran are working out their own solution to control the strategic waterway. In focus: The creation of a ‘Muslim Nato’ shows Trump is losing his grip in the Middle East As Donald Trump continued his attacks on Iran earlier this month, a deal that could radically reshape security in the Middle East was quietly being done in Saudi Arabia. On 7 August, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence agreement, a Nato-style mutual defence pact that states an attack on any one of the group will be considered an attack on all. Maira Butt18 August 2026 15:00Trump says 'no talks' taking place with Iran Donald Trump has announced that “there are no talks or conversations going on or scheduled” with the Islamic Republic of Iran in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday. He added: “The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated.” Maira Butt18 August 2026 14:34Trump declares Hormuz as US territory President Donald Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz as US territory in a new post on Truth Social. Sharing a bizarre map of the region with a large blue circle over Hormuz, the picture declared the vital shipping route as “US territory”. (Truth Social) Maira Butt18 August 2026 14:06Trump’s approval rating falls to the lowest of his presidency, new poll finds Just 33 percent of respondents in the four-day survey, down from 35 percent, said they approved of Trump's performance in the White House, while 64 per cent disapproved. Trump's approval rating, which is now lower than at any point in his current term, has tied the lowest level of his prior term reached in December 2017. Maira Butt18 August 2026 13:50Qatar provides update on Iranian pilots and Omani talks The country was accused of capturing three Iranian pilots after downing fighter jets, which it denies. On Tuesday it reiterated its invitation for an Iranian delegation to visit Qatar to discuss the issue and said its appeal for the Red Cross to get involved is a “media ploy”. The spokesperson added that agreement over the Strait of Hormuz would make it much easier to resume US-Iran talks. Maira Butt18 August 2026 13:20In pictures: Netanyahu votes in Likud primary elections ahead of general election in October Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, takes a selfie with a supporter as he arrives to cast his ballot at his party Likud's main polling station during primary elections ahead of Israel's general election in October in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026. (AFP/Getty) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (C), and his wife, Sara, (C-R) arrive to cast their ballot at his party Likud's main polling station during primary elections ahead of Israel's general election in October in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026. (AFP/Getty) Maira Butt18 August 2026 12:50 Maira Butt18 August 2026 12:20 Maira Butt18 August 2026 11:50Israeli minister calls for killing of ‘30 to 40’ people in Gaza every night An Israeli politician has publicly advocated for killing “30 to 40” people in Gaza every night. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the minister of national security in prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, made the comment while speaking on the first episode of the podcast The 8 October. Mr Ben-Gvir criticised Israel’s recent decrease in strikes on Gaza and said he disagrees with Mr Netanyahu’s approach. “I think targeted assassinations should be carried out in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 every night,” he said. Maira Butt18 August 2026 11:20Netanyahu puts NYC mayor Mamdani alongside Iran’s Ayatollah on enemies poster The billboard seen in the country’s capital TV features the new Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hezbollah’s security-general Naim Qassem against a jet black background. “They want Netanyahu to lose, don’t let them win,” reads a caption alongside it. Netanyahu reposted the image saying: “Don’t let them win.” Maira Butt18 August 2026 10:50