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  Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/STRINGER) NATO 's top commander convened a videoconference earlier this week to facilitate possible contributions to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz , his spokesperson told Reuters , adding that this is not a NATO mission. “Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe hosted a meeting of interested Allies at the chief of defense level on Wednesday, 19 Aug 26, in order to facilitate their possible contributions to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," a spokesperson for the alliance's top commander US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich said on Friday.

  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a special plenum session in honor of US President Donald Trump at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, October 13, 2025 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Security sources said on Friday that the chances of expanding the military confrontation with Iran in the near term have decreased, following a series of meetings and discussions with senior US officials. According to the officials, US President Donald Trump ’s decision to impose another harsh package of economic sanctions is intended to “buy time” until after the US midterm elections.

  A handout photo made available by the Iranian Presidential Office shows Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian attending a press conference in the capital Tehran, on August 8, 2026. (photo credit: Iranian Presidential Office / AFP via Getty Images) Pezeshkian's comments come after sources said earlier on Friday that the chances of the Iran conflict expanding in the near future have decreased. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Friday that Iran should end the war while it is currently in a "position of power" and the world recognizes its victory, according to a report from the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) . “It is better to end the war today, when we are in power and dignity, and the whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasizes that America , contrary to all regulations, attacked our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure and is hated in the world," Pezeshkian said.

This photograph obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on August 13, 2026 shows an oil slick along the southern coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, August 13, 2026. (photo credit: ISNA / AFP via Getty Images) Three separate oil spills are spreading through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and the risk of additional oil spills continues to rise as the conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz widens, the New York Times reported on Friday.  Oil tankers are typically equipped with advanced navigation equipment and transponders to reduce collisions and spills.

Iranian flag with stock graph and an oil pump jack miniature model are seen in this illustration taken October 9, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/DADO RUVIC/ILLUSTRATION/FILE PHOTO) Offers of Iranian crude to Chinese buyers have declined and prices have jumped this week as the US blockade has cut Tehran's shipments, according to trade sources, with the threat of more sanctions from Washington looming. The US re-imposed its blockade of Iran's shipping and ports on July 13 as a deal to halt the war between them broke down in an attempt to cut off oil sales - Tehran's primary source of hard currency - compounding earlier losses from wartime strikes on its energy infrastructure. The number of offers for Iranian oil cargoes to China for September and October delivery has declined from July and August cargoes, four trade sources familiar with the matter said. The offers have declined as barrels already in ships on the water have been sold, they said.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran November 27, 2024. (photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA/REUTERS) Following Washington's announcement of what it called the toughest sanctions on Iran, Tehran said it would pursue measures to withstand economic pressure. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said on Friday that Iran must plan to overcome "unjust sanctions," a day after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he described as the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Iran. Bessent said on Thursday the measures would be detailed on Monday, suggesting they could lessen the need for further major military operations. Ghalibaf, one of Iran 's most influential political figures and Tehran's top negotiator in talks with the United States, said economic development and security were closely linked. Go to the full article > >