Live: US weighs troop pullback from Gulf following damage in Iran war, report says

Download AppNewsWorldLive: US weighs troop pullback from Gulf following damage in Iran war, report saysMiddle East CrisisUS-Iran War Live Updates: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that no talks with Iran were taking place or scheduled, while insisting that the Strait of Hormuz remained open. "There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated," Trump said on Truth Social. Iran, however, maintained that the waterway would remain closed until Washington met conditions under an interim deal signed in June, including lifting the blockade on Iranian ports, removing oil sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets and ending military operations. The conflicting claims came as Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and special envoy, said on Monday that US-Iran contacts were "probably more robust than it's maybe ever been". Meanwhile, the UAE said it detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran, which it assessed were targeting "maritime traffic". Both missiles fell into the sea, according to the UAE Defence Ministry. Iran did not immediately comment. The incident was reported as a 60-day window for US-Iran peace talks expired without a breakthrough, raising fears of renewed escalation and further disruption to shipping through Hormuz. The UAE had also recently accused Iran of attacking ADNOC vessels transiting the strait, although Tehran has not claimed responsibility. Follow indiatoday.in for live updates....Read MoreAug 19, 2026 03:01 ISTMiddle East Tensions: Iran rejects UAE claim over missile launchesIranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday rejected the UAE’s claim that Tehran was behind missiles launched at the Gulf country a day earlier. Baghaei dismissed the UAE’s allegations as “baseless” in a statement, denying Iran’s involvement in the missile launches. Aug 19, 2026 02:57 ISTUS Iran War Live: US targets Iranian hackers accused of compromising 8,000 accountsThe US Department of Justice has charged 17 members of Iran’s Mabna Institute over cyber activities and hacking allegedly carried out on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other Iranian entities. According to the department, the Mabna Institute was involved in a widespread cyber campaign that targeted more than 100,000 accounts belonging to university professors worldwide. The campaign successfully compromised around 8,000 accounts at US and foreign universities, the department said. Aug 19, 2026 02:55 ISTMiddle East Crisis: French FM slams Iran after Tehran expels two diplomats amid ‘extreme tension’French FM slams Iran after Tehran expels two diplomats amid ‘extreme tension’ French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has criticised Iran after Tehran ordered two French diplomats to leave the country, accusing them of activities contrary to international law. In a post on X, Barrot said the Iranian people were the “primary victims” of the “extreme tension” in the Middle East, citing the repression of protests in January 2026 and ongoing bombings. He said France’s support for Iranian artists, scientists and researchers was the reason two French diplomats were “scandalously and deliberately assaulted” on July 19. Barrot announced that France would expel two Iranian diplomats in response, saying they would be asked to leave in the coming days. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the two French diplomats stationed at its embassy in Tehran were no longer welcome because of activities it described as contrary to international law, particularly the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The ministry said the diplomats’ “illegal actions” had been disclosed weeks earlier, but their home government had taken no steps to correct their behaviour or prevent similar actions in the future. Aug 19, 2026 02:00 ISTUS Iran war: US weighs troop pullback from Gulf after Iran war damage, report says The US Defense Department is considering reducing its military presence in the Persian Gulf after its bases and facilities sustained damage during the war with Iran, The Washington Post reports. The conflict has given Washington a “once-in-a-generation chance” to reassess its long-term military footprint in the Gulf, according to the report. One option under consideration is moving some US troops and military facilities further west, including to Jordan and Israel. American refuelling aircraft have been stationed in Israel during the war. Aug 19, 2026 01:59 ISTMiddle East crisis: Here's what happened so far US-Iran talks: Trump said no talks with Iran are underway or scheduled. Trump on Hormuz: He said the Strait of Hormuz is open and operating, while the US naval blockade remains in force. Iran’s position: Top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Hormuz will remain closed until US demands under the June interim deal are met. Iran’s demands: Tehran wants the US to lift the blockade on its ports, remove oil sanctions, unfreeze Iranian assets and end military operations. Kushner’s account: Jared Kushner said on Monday that US-Iran contacts were “probably more robust than it’s maybe ever been.” Talks stalled: A senior Iranian official said Tehran would shift to a “fully offensive” military posture as efforts to reach a permanent deal have stalled. UAE missile alert: The UAE said it detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran. Missiles fell at sea: The UAE Defence Ministry said both missiles fell into the sea and were assessed to have been targeting “maritime traffic.” No Iranian claim: Iran has not immediately commented on the UAE's missile allegation. 60-day window expires: The missile incident followed the expiry of a 60-day window for US-Iran peace talks on Monday without a breakthrough. UAE all-clear: The UAE earlier told residents the situation was safe and asked them to resume normal activities after the missile warning. ADNOC vessels: The UAE has accused Iran of attacking its state-owned ADNOC vessels transiting Hormuz. Iran has not claimed responsibility for those attacks.