At least three people were killed in a helicopter crash on the Greek island of Sifnos on Monday, fire brigade officials said, Reuters reported.
At least 3 killed in helicopter crash on Greek island of Sifnos
US President Donald Trump speaks at Wheeler High School, in Marietta, Ga. (AP Photo)US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to attack Oman if the country gets in the way of the American blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said that if “Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the sh** out of them.” He added that the US military’s naval blockade is putting pressure on Iran and that he has no timeline for when the conflict would get over.
Earlier, the US President said that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon in any form” as the 60-day ceasefire is poised to end today. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon.”
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The development comes as the 60-day ceasefire deal, which included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to discuss the trading route for the strategic Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear programme, comes to an end on Monday, and there seems to be no agreement in sight between the US and Iran.
Bounty on US soldiers: Iran’s army chief, Major General Amir Hatami, announced a $30,000 bounty for killing or capturing a US soldier, doubled if carried out by an Iranian woman. Hatami said the move followed a surge in requests from citizens wanting to take part, though he gave no details on timing or location.
Trump’s weekend moves: Trump, meanwhile, praised the new Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan as a “BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP,” even as Houthi attacks continue. He also ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint drills with South Korea after Seoul declined to help denuclearize Iran, calling the exercises “hostile” toward North Korea.
Key updates:
- Iran claims victory: Parliament speaker Ghalibaf says the US and Israel failed to meet their war objectives, though he did not name which goals were missed.
- Bounty on US soldiers: Army chief Amir Hatami announced a $30,000 reward for killing or capturing a US soldier, doubled to roughly $60,000 if carried out by an Iranian woman.
- Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan pact praised: Trump called the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement a “big, bold” first step for regional unity, even as Houthi attacks continue.
- Korea drills scaled back: Trump ordered a reduction in US-South Korea joint exercises after Seoul declined to help with Iran denuclearization efforts, citing a wish not to provoke North Korea.
- Original US war goals unmet, per Tehran: The Trump administration’s stated objectives Iranian surrender, regime change, nuclear rollback, and an end to proxy support remain, according to Ghalibaf, unachieved.
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Live Updates
‘Kill 30-40 every night’: Israeli minister’s Gaza remarks spark outrage
US-Iran war: Ceasefire ends today, what was the deal and why did it fail
Trump threatens to bomb Oman 'if it gets in way' of US-Iran deal
US President Trump says Iran 'cannot have nuclear weapon in any form' as 60-day ceasefire ends
How a fake Iran nuclear quote travelled from an Indian X account to Netanyahu’s speech
Death toll from eastern Indonesia earthquake rises to 68
US expands anti-drug military campaign from sea to land
The US military is expanding its campaign against alleged drug-trafficking groups in Latin America, moving from deadly strikes on boats to potential joint operations on land. The Trump administration says Colombia, Honduras and Ecuador have agreed to allow US forces to work alongside local militaries against criminal groups, while Guatemala has denied reaching such an agreement.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the land operations would have the “same effect” as the strikes on suspected drug boats. The US military has killed more than 200 people in over 60 boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific over the past year, according to a report for AP.
The expansion marks a significant shift in Washington’s military involvement in the region and has raised concerns over civilian casualties, national sovereignty and the possibility of a backlash against the US.
In Colombia, Hegseth said President Abelardo de la Espriella had requested greater US military involvement against armed groups including the National Liberation Army (ELN). Ecuador has already launched joint operations with the US, while Mexico has resisted allowing American forces to operate against cartels on its soil.
Critics argue that increased military intervention could push armed groups deeper into civilian areas rather than eliminate them.
Drones attack Kurdistan PM’s office, no casualties reported
Two drones attacked the office of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s prime minister in Iraq on Monday, said KRG security agency.
According to a KRG statement, the drones were launched from Iranian territory and no human casualties were reported in the attack.
Xi Jinping calls for ‘indomitable fighting spirit’, praises Tiananmen crackdown
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the country to show an “indomitable fighting spirit” while praising the Communist Party’s handling of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Speaking at an event marking the centenary of former leader Jiang Zemin’s birth, Xi said China must be prepared to confront major challenges and protect its national sovereignty, security and development interests.
Xi also highlighted Jiang’s role during the 1989 political upheaval, saying he had “resolutely supported and implemented” the party leadership’s decisions. The comments mark a rare public reference by China’s current leadership to the Tiananmen protests, which were crushed by Chinese troops on June 4, 1989.
Thousands of officials and delegates attended the event at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, with all seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee also present, according to Chinese state media.
Xi portrayed China as resilient despite economic and geopolitical challenges, saying the country would emerge stronger from “rough seas” and “raging storms”. He also said the prospects for China’s “great rejuvenation” remained bright.
His remarks come ahead of a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump in September, where trade, artificial intelligence and Taiwan are expected to be among the key issues discussed.
Trump says joint military drills with South Korea will be ‘substantially reduced’
US President Donald Trump has said Washington will “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, citing Seoul’s decision not to join the US in efforts to “denuclearise” Iran. Trump also pointed to his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
South Korea said it was reviewing Trump’s remarks but indicated that the planned annual military exercises would proceed as scheduled. The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield drills are expected to involve around 18,000 South Korean troops.
Trump said the exercises were costly and sent an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea. Seoul said it hoped improved relations between Washington and Pyongyang could eventually lead to meaningful talks.
The announcement has raised concerns among experts that scaling back the drills could weaken military readiness and deterrence against North Korea. About 28,500 US military personnel are currently stationed in South Korea.
Trump previously suspended the exercises in 2018 during his diplomatic engagement with Kim Jong Un, calling them “provocative” and saying their cancellation would save the US money.
US and Israel 'failed to achieve' war goals, says Iran's top negotiator
Speaking at a televised event from parliament on Sunday, Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US and Israel “failed to achieve” any of their war aims against Iran. “This was the biggest and most absolute failure,” Ghalibaf stated, as broadcast by Reuters.
“I declare with all my heart that we won this war,” he added, claiming Tehran blocked the objectives without detailing what they were. The Trump administration had previously listed those objectives as forcing Iran’s full surrender, regime change, preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and ending its support for regional proxies including Hezbollah.
American actress Hayden Panettiere dies at 36
American actress Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in TV shows such as Nashville and Heroes, has died at the age of 36, ABC News reported on Sunday, citing her representative.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her on screen," her representative told ABC News.
Reuters could immediately reach her representative outside regular business hours.
Iran offering $30,000 bounty for the slaughter and capture of US soldiers, army chief says
Tehran’s military chief put out a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures a US soldier with the reward doubled for Iranian women but it remains unclear how they can carry out the orders.
Iranian army chief Amir Hatami said there were a “large number of requests” for bounties to be put on the American soliders despite the lack of US ground forces in Iran.
“Anyone who kills or captures and hands over an invading American military personnel will receive a reward equivalent to $30,000 or 5 billion tomans from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army,” Hatami told IRNA.
“Courageous Iranian women who carry out such an action will receive double the reward,” he added.
Hatami, however, made no mention of when or where attacks on US soldiers, who are stationed beyond the reach of the average Iranians, would take place.
Send Sheikh Hasina back: Bangladesh’s ‘red line’ for PM Rahman’s visit
The Bangladesh government said on Sunday that a “propitious environment needs to be created” for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India.
“To this end, we have requested the Indian authorities to expeditiously act on our request to extradite Sheikh Hasina and other fugitive criminals, and to hand over to Bangladesh the accused killers of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi in compliance with our bilateral extradition treaty,” the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
While many in Dhaka see this as a ‘red line’, there is a sense in New Delhi that it needs to convey the “next steps” and give a “cogent response” to the Bangladesh Government’s request for extradition. The extradition request was first moved by the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus in 2024, and has been reiterated by the BNP government which assumed office in February this year.
Oil treads water as US-Iran peace talks stall, Hormuz shipping slows
Oil prices barely moved in early trade on Monday as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed over the weekend with no peace deal in sight between the United States and Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East.
Brent crude futures climbed 20 cents, or 0.2%, to $88.72 by 2350 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures slipped 5 cents to $82.35 a barrel.
Both contracts gained more than 5% last week following attacks on tankers operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the Hormuz strait and on a Saudi Aramco refinery.
Over the weekend, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran had not decided to resume talks with the US while US President Donald Trump urged Americans to accept slightly higher gasoline prices while the conflict continues.
"The status quo remains. Both sides remain firmly dug in and the market is left weighing the risk of tighter supply against the comfort of workarounds and other informal channels," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.
IRGC commander says Iran’s military doctrine shifting from defensive to offensive posture
A senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander has signaled that Iran's military doctrine is shifting from a defensive posture to an offensive one, warning adversaries to brace for "strategic surprises."
Brigadier General Yadollah Javani told Iranian state media the shift represents a major transformation in the country's strategic doctrine a clear message to enemies that Iran's approach is evolving to match, and outpace, the demands of modern warfare.
He pointed to the mandate given to the IRGC's new commander-in-chief, Major General Ahmad Vahidi, who has been instructed to pursue "maximum deterrence." Under this doctrine, Javani said, even defensive military actions will now carry an offensive character, aimed at neutralizing threats before they materialize.
"The enemy should know that it cannot catch us off guard," Javani said. "Instead, it is the enemy that must anticipate strategic surprises."
He added that "whatever is necessary to defend this land, ensure security, and neutralise enemy threats will be executed at the appropriate time."
Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back this week's joint military exercises with South Korea, saying Seoul's refusal to help in denuclearizing Iran factored into the decision while also citing his desire not to provoke North Korea, which he described as "unthreatening and respectful" during his time in office.
What we know
Trump announced the move Sunday on Truth Social, saying he ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea after the country recently declined to join the US effort to denuclearize Iran. He argued the drills, set to begin this week, are costly and send a signal that is "totally inappropriate and hostile" toward North Korea. He said it was too late to cancel the exercises outright, so he'd instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" them. The exercises were originally set to run 11 days and involve 18,000 South Korean troops, aimed at strengthening readiness against North Korean threats.
Trump hails Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan defence pact
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he is “very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement”.
He said the deal “shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way. Congratulations to the Great Leadership of the three Nations mentioned. THIS IS A BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP WOW!”
TRUMP: VERY HAPPY to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement… Middle East coming together
— RT (@RT_com) August 16, 2026
‘WOW!’ pic.twitter.com/WJiTM6ZHKF
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