2026 Iran War: 2026-08-25

Yemen's Houthis said they hit the Bahri-owned tanker Amzan with a ballistic missile about 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu in the Red Sea. Saudi shipping company Bahri confirmed a maritime incident involving Amzan and said all crew were safe. UKMTO earlier reported a tanker struck by an unknown projectile in the same area. The attack was framed as support for Iran in the wider conflict.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing opposes illegal unilateral sanctions and will take all necessary measures to protect its rights after Washington unveiled new penalties tied to Operation Economic Outcast. China remains a major buyer of Iranian oil and has called for a ceasefire, arguing sanctions will not end the conflict. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said no country is above the reach of US sanctions.

Iran's state news agency IRNA said Tehran approved transit for several Iraqi oil tankers after repeated diplomatic requests from Baghdad. Middle East Spectator reported the clearance followed talks tied to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's visit to Iraq.

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority said vessels that breach Iranian transit rules for the Strait of Hormuz will be placed on a non-compliance list. Middle East Spectator reported those ships would face harder future passage and could be fined, seized or confiscated by the IRGC, with many listed vessels described as Emirati or Qatari-owned.

A Reuters/Ipsos survey cited by B92 found that 31% of Americans support US military action against Iran, the lowest level reported since the conflict began. About 69% of Republican respondents still backed the war, down from 77% in March, while 83% said they expect a longer conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Channel 14 phone interview that Iran tried to murder one of his sons, without naming which son or providing timing or location details. Al Jazeera reported the claim came as Netanyahu defended extended security protection for his family ahead of Israel's October election.

Pakistan's interior minister said significant progress was made in talks with Iran's president on restoring a previous memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, according to Al Jazeera's live updates. The mediation push comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions aimed at severing Iran's financial support networks.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Washington does not rule out military strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran, while arguing Tehran cannot withstand current economic pressure, B92 reported citing Reuters. The comments came as the Trump administration expanded secondary sanctions targeting Iran's global financial ties.