Middle East Tensions Escalate: Tanker Hijacked Off Yemen Coast as US-Iran Standoff Continues

Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as the UKMTO reports that a tanker off the coast of Yemen has been hijacked and diverted. Meanwhile, Iran has dismissed Trump's 'Economic D-Day' as a diversion, while an IRGC official threatens the use of 'completely different' warheads if war restarts.

Despite the US-Iran stalemate, data shows Hormuz shipping remains unchanged, though Trump claims countries are finding alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz and that the strait will be 'territory' of the US. Iraq has asked Iran for 'special status' for oil exports through Hormuz, and the Houthis claim to have attacked eight Saudi oil tankers since July 20.

Additional developments include Israeli strikes in Gaza killing two people, questions regarding how lethal the Houthis' military arsenal is, and Trump admitting an Air Force One escape over an Iran threat while firing back at Iran over compensation. Further reports highlight claims that the 'US destroyed Iran’s nuclear programme', a sailor's 'horror' of fireballs and distress calls, life living under occupation in Kfarshouba, questions on whether the US Iran June deal will be revised, and a US fighter jet refueling mid-air in the Middle East.