Iran war update: August 6
- Iran and Oman are close to announcing a deal over the Strait of Hormuz, multiple media outlets are reporting. A deal would likely cement joint control over the transit route and possibly include charging tolls.
- Iran is working on a nuclear weapon, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leader Ahmad Vahidi admitted, according to Israeli media. Vahidi, who is likely Iran’s most powerful leader, said, “As long as the United States and Israel possess nuclear weapons, we will continue working on them for our national security.” Iran’s government has repeatedly denied that its nuclear program is for the purpose of making a nuclear weapon: Vahidi’s comment is a rare admission from a senior Iranian official.
- Yemen’s Houthis threatened to intensify attacks on Red Sea shipping yesterday, specifying that they would close “all access routes” for vessels carrying oil from Saudi Arabia. The Iran-backed terror group declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20.
- Israel struck Hezbollah yesterday in its first strikes on southern Lebanon since June, responding to Hezbollah’s violation of its ceasefire with Israel earlier that day. The strikes targeted the village of al-Mansouri as Israeli and Lebanese delegations were in Rome during peace talks.
