On August 26, 2026, the dominant story was the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump claimed the strait was fully demined, a claim Iran rejected as a 'deception' to calm markets. Iran and Oman announced talks on a temporary shipping corridor and joint demining project, which Iran's state media dismissed as a 'propaganda trick'. Oil prices fell below $90 amid optimism. US Secretary of State Rubio reportedly told allies the US has no immediate plans for new military strikes, focusing instead on other pressure tools. Netanyahu rejected diplomatic talks with Iran's rulers and discussed military action or tightening the blockade with Trump. Trump also claimed Iran's Supreme Leader is alive but wounded, and vowed to continue confrontation. State-aligned media emphasized Iran's control over Hormuz and its conditions for reopening, while Iran's foreign minister wrote to the UN condemning US 'economic terrorism'.