Daily Archives: 18 August 2026

UAE-owned oil tanker detained near southern Iran’s Qeshm Island: Report

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This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Large commercial vessels and a small boat navigate the waters off the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran on June 21, 2026. [Hassan Ghaedi – Anadolu Agency]

A tanker belonging to an Emirati company was detained near southern Iran’s Qeshm Island while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian media reported Monday.

Maritime navigation data showed that the vessel had been stopped during its passage through the strait, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported.

The agency did not identify the tanker or the Emirati company that owns it.

Fars said tankers seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz “must follow a route designated by Iran, pay service fees and obtain Iranian authorization.”

There was no official statement from Iranian or Emirati authorities regarding the report as of 1700GMT.

The Strait of Hormuz has seen escalating tensions amid the US-Iran war, raising fears of disruptions to shipping and global energy supplies despite diplomatic efforts to reach understandings on freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.

READ: UAE says tanker belonging to national oil company targeted in Strait of Hormuz

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.

Continue ReadingUAE-owned oil tanker detained near southern Iran’s Qeshm Island: Report

Iran’s IRGC dismisses Trump’s claim of backchannel talks as ‘lies’

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This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) participate in a military exercise aimed at “increasing combat capabilities” in Tehran province, Iran, on May 12, 2026. [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Anadolu Agency]

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday dismissed as “lies” US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington was holding back-channel talks with IRGC officials on war-related issues.

“No talks are taking place between IRGC officials and the Americans,” spokesman Hossein Mohibbi told Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

He said the US leader’s claims were “lies” and “fantasies born of delusions and nightmares resulting from defeat and desperation in the war.”

The spokesman added that diplomatic matters were handled by other Iranian state institutions and fell outside the IRG’s purview.

READ: Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of US-Iran negotiations

“According to the information we have and statements by Foreign Ministry officials, no talks are currently taking place with the Americans – even at that level,” he said.

“Trump’s fantasies will not help him on the battlefield,” he added, describing the US leader’s assertions as an attempt to influence global energy prices.

Earlier Monday, Trump told reporters that his administration maintained a “backchannel with the IRGC.”

“We are speaking directly with IRGC officials in Iran,” the US president claimed.

READ: Iran says 60-day deadline ‘lost its relevance’ after US ‘violations’ of memorandum

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingIran’s IRGC dismisses Trump’s claim of backchannel talks as ‘lies’

Hamas welcomes Trump’s call to end attacks on Gaza, urges stepped-up pressure on Israel

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This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem. [Moiz Salhi – Anadolu Agency]

Hamas on Monday welcomed remarks by US President Donald Trump calling on Israel to halt its attacks on the Gaza Strip.

“The remarks confirm President Trump’s commitment to the ceasefire track,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement.

He also called on the US leader to “pressure the [Israeli] occupation government to abide by what was agreed upon to begin the second phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.”

The statement comes amid ongoing Israeli ceasefire violations – including airstrikes, shelling and gunfire – that have continued to kill Palestinians throughout the enclave on an almost daily basis.

READ: Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of US-Iran negotiations

Earlier Monday, Trump said that Israel “should not be striking in Gaza,” noting that Hamas had agreed to lay down its arms if Israel carried out its obligations under the peace plan.

Trump added that the US maintains a separate channel of communication with Hamas, going on to assert that “ultimately, they [Hamas] are giving up their guns.”

His remarks come as Washington pushes efforts to implement Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which includes the disarmament of Hamas and an Israeli military withdrawal from the embattled Palestinian enclave.

According to estimates, Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and injured over 174,000 – mostly women and children – and destroyed 90 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure.

READ: Trump’s adviser, Board of Peace chair meet with Israeli premier for Gaza ceasefire talks

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham admits to blatently lying and engaging in deception to become leader of the UK Labour Party and Prime Minister.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.

Continue ReadingHamas welcomes Trump’s call to end attacks on Gaza, urges stepped-up pressure on Israel

As Trump Approval Hits New Low, Majority of Americans—Including Many of His Voters—Say They Are Worse Off

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Article by Stephen Prager republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). 

President Donald Trump holds a press conference in the White House on April 6, 2026, in Washington DC.  (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

As inflation has wiped out wage growth, 53% of voters said they were worse off financially than when Trump took office, including nearly a quarter of Republicans.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has hit a new low as the majority of Americans—including many of his own voters—now say they are economically worse off under his second administration.

In a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday, just 33% of Americans said they approved of Trump’s performance in the White House, while 64% disapproved, a drop from 35% approval earlier in the month. They’re the worst marks he’s received during this term and are tied with his worst ever, which came in December 2017.

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Trump’s nadir comes as a majority of Americans say their finances have gotten worse since he came to power. In a Financial Times poll released on Sunday, more than 53% of registered voters said they were worse off since January 2025. This includes 57% of independents, but also nearly a quarter of Republicans.

Voters’ economic angst aligns with what the metrics show. After hitting a three-year peak of 4.2% in May, inflation was still higher in July than it was when Trump took office, at 3.4%. Real wages declined as hourly pay failed to keep up with inflation, and the economy shed 23,000 jobs last month.

Trump responded to this bleak report by celebrating that the economy was “doing unbelievably from the standpoint of Wall Street,” with the stock market continuing to soar.

The pocketbook issues faced by many Americans have been made worse by Trump’s war with Iran, which has caused oil prices to spike, triggering a surge in gasoline prices and inflation that has rippled throughout the economy.

The war began unpopular and has only grown more so as the conflict, which Trump said would be over in weeks, approaches its sixth month. In a Reuters poll released in late July, only about a third of Americans said they supported it.

After backing out of a peace agreement earlier this summer, Trump has doubled down on the war in recent weeks. Americans, regardless of party, are now overwhelmingly doubtful that it will end any time soon.

Among all adults, 4 in 5 said they believed the war would “go on for a long time.” This includes 80% of independents, but also 71% of Republicans. Across all parties, just 16% said they believed the war would “end in a matter of weeks.”

There are increasing signs that even Trump’s core base is beginning to sour on him. An Economist/YouGov poll out last week showed that his overall approval among GOP voters had fallen to a second-term low of 79%.

Even more concerning for him is a decline in enthusiasm among supporters: Where 68% said they “strongly approve” of Trump near the start of his term, just 48% now feel that way.

Democratic voters, meanwhile, appear fired up as November approaches. A Washington Post/Ipsos poll from July showed that Democrats have a 10-point advantage over the GOP among those who say they are certain to vote.

Article by Stephen Prager republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). 

Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.

Continue ReadingAs Trump Approval Hits New Low, Majority of Americans—Including Many of His Voters—Say They Are Worse Off

US Gas Prices Set Mid-August Record After Trump Vows to ‘Never Apologize’ for Prolonged Iran War

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Article by Brett Wilkins republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). 

An Arco station in Washington state sells gas starting at $4.73 per gallon in this photo posted to social media on August 17, 2026. (Photo by The Elk Plain Drifter/X)

Trump campaigned on fixing the affordability crisis but defends high gas prices as the cost of preventing Iran from building nuclear weapons that his own administration said Tehran is not trying to build.

The American Automobile Association reported Monday that drivers are paying more at the pump than ever before for this point in August as President Donald Trump’s war on Iran continues to disrupt global energy supplies—and he says he won’t apologize for the pain his illegal war of choice is inflicting upon consumers.

AAA said the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $4.06 on Monday, more than 92 cents higher than a year ago and double the $1.85 recently promised by Trump. The price is the highest ever recorded for mid-August, according to GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan. In California and Hawaii, average prices are approaching—or exceeding—$5.40 per gallon.

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New Inflation Numbers Prove ‘Catastrophic Mismanagement of Our Economy’ by Trump

The record gas prices come amid the protracted US-Israeli war on Iran that has killed thousands of people and severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy artery through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass. According to Reuters, only five vessels traversed the strait Saturday, and none did so Sunday. Brent crude was trading near $89 per barrel on Monday, while West Texas Intermediate was above $82.

While Trump has said the war is “over” or nearly over dozens of times—The Guardian’s Robert Tait recently called the recurrent spectacle his “own Groundhog Day”—Iran currently appears to have the upper hand, as shipping has overwhelmingly avoided the US-supported route through the Strait of Hormuz, with most vessels using a course set by Tehran or eschewing the waterway altogether.

The Guardian reported Monday that US households have collectively spent an additional $56.4 billion on gasoline over the past six months—an average of roughly $477 per home. Meanwhile, major oil companies raked in a combined $90 billion in profits during the second quarter.

Trump, who campaigned on promises to tackle the affordability crisis, has repeatedly defended high gas prices as the cost of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons that every administration since George W. Bush’s—including his own—has said Tehran is not seeking to build.

“For you to pay a tiny little bit more for your gasoline, just remember, you’re doing it so that a very evil country cannot have… a nuclear weapon,” Trump said Friday during a speech to law enforcement officers in Garden City, New York.

“So remember that when you have to pay a little bit more, you’re at $4; it’s OK… I’ll never apologize, I did the right thing,” the president added to raucous applause.

Critics slammed Trump’s remarks, with Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) noting on Monday that, while “Trump’s family got rich off of his failed war,” the American people—including his own supporters—“got screwed.”

“Now he wants to us to smile and accept the higher prices he caused,” she added.

Article by Brett Wilkins republished from Common Dreams under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). 

Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.

Continue ReadingUS Gas Prices Set Mid-August Record After Trump Vows to ‘Never Apologize’ for Prolonged Iran War