An Iraqi security officer stands guard at the site near Baghdad International Airport where Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike, during a visit by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo: AP)Tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated sharply this week after Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned fresh US economic sanctions, framing them not just as an attack on Iran but as an assault on the sovereignty of every UN member state. The dispute comes amid rising military rhetoric from Tehran and provocative comments from President Trump about US control over the Strait of Hormuz, even as diplomatic channels between Iran and Oman remain open. Key Developments:Iran calls sanctions a “declaration of war”: Iran’s Foreign Ministry argues the latest round of US sanctions represents Washington overreaching its authority, describing it as an attempt to exert extraterritorial sovereignty over all independent UN member states.Trump claims the Strait of Hormuz as US territory: Trump stated he currently regards the strategic waterway as American territory, while suggesting Iran isn’t yet prepared to accept acceptable terms for a deal.Iran signals a shift toward offensive military posture : Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia indicated Iran’s defense doctrine is moving away from a purely defensive stance toward one oriented around offensive capability.Oman-Iran diplomacy continues on Hormuz passage: Despite the heightened rhetoric, the foreign ministers of Oman and Iran spoke by phone to discuss reviving talks on a bilateral arrangement governing transit through the Strait of Hormuz.Israeli strikes persist in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire: Israel has kept up demolitions and airstrikes across parts of southern Lebanon, undercutting the nominal ceasefire agreement still technically in place.Follow The Indian Express Global Desk for live coverage of the day’s top world news.Live UpdatesAug 23, 2026 05:11 AM ISTA magnitude 5.9 earthquake shakes northeast Japan injuring at least 5A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 struck eastern Japan early Sunday, injuring at least five people in the Tokyo area, according to the Associated Press. The AP reported the quake hit southern Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of 70 kilometers, with no tsunami threat, and caused train delays, a burst water pipe in Tokyo, and brief power outages, though officials found no anomalies at nuclear facilities in the area.Aug 23, 2026 05:09 AM ISTUS energy secretary says US oil, gas production at ‘all-time high’US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has hailed the US’s oil and gas production as global energy remains strained due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.“American oil and gas workers have driven production to an all-time high, making the US the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas,” said Wright in a post on X.Earlier, Wright also claimed the US military helped ship more than 15 million barrels of oil and other products out of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday this week.American oil and gas workers have driven production to an all-time high, making the U.S. the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas.Thanks to @POTUS’ agenda, we’re building on that success—unleashing American energy, strengthening our economy, and lowering costs. pic.twitter.com/6SGppOMt3q— Secretary Chris Wright (@SecretaryWright) August 22, 2026Aug 23, 2026 05:07 AM ISTWelcome to our live blogBringing you up to the minute coverage of the day's major world news from developments in Iran and the wider Middle East to updates across the US, Canada, and beyond. We'll be updating this page throughout the day as the situation unfolds.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd