On Monday, August 11, 2026, President Trump told reporters that the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized that Iran's economy is suffering due to the ongoing war that began in February. Trump also echoed Tehran's demands for compensation related to damages caused by the conflict, stating, "I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts."

Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East escalated as a cargo vessel was hit by an unknown projectile near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the coast of southern Yemen. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the attack on Tuesday, noting an unspecified number of casualties. Initial reports indicate three crew fatalities, including two Pakistani and one Indonesian national. The British military agency confirmed, "It has been reported that a cargo vessel in the southern Red Sea has been hit by an unknown projectile resulting in casualties."

The health ministry condemned the continued targeting of rescue teams, calling it "an unacceptable violation of international humanitarian law and all international norms."

These Houthi attacks risk reigniting Yemen's civil war after a four-year hiatus following a 2022 truce and could open a new front in the broader Middle East conflict.

The ongoing stalemate and lack of progress in negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to a 5% surge in oil prices, reflecting market concerns over the strait's closure and the security of maritime routes.

Additionally, CBS News revealed that President Trump secretly switched planes after the recent NATO summit in Turkey due to a credible missile threat against Air Force One.

Sources