Day 158 of the WarTuesday, August 4, 2026
Day 158 — Washington Says a Hormuz Deal Could Come Within a Day as a Greek-Owned Bulk Carrier Is Hit Off Khasab
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Washington / MuscatStrait of HormuzKuwait / PentagonTehranMashhad / Tehran
'I Will Not Resign' — Pezeshkian Pushes Back as the Leader's Office Denies a Rift
Iran- President Pezeshkian said in a video titled 'Report to the People' that he will not resign and 'will stand firm,' adding any resignation would be announced officially and rejecting talk of a conflict between him and the Leader, per RadioFarda.source
- Mojtaba Khamenei's office issued a statement denying — without naming him — Mohammad Bagher Kharazi's claims about Pezeshkian's repeated resignation requests, RadioFarda reports; Kharazi had said the president resigned or threatened to 28 times.source
- Speaking at the health ministry, Pezeshkian said the Islamic Republic defends its borders but 'is not seeking to expand the war,' a day after Trump announced talks were under way, per RadioFarda.source
A Hunger Strike Against a Death Sentence, and Blasts at Shamsabad
Iran- Mohammad Zangeneh, a 24-year-old protester held in Mashhad's Vakilabad Prison, is at risk of execution after a new Revolutionary Court notice of a death sentence and has gone on hunger strike, Iran International reports; he had earlier received a prison term.source
- Iran's Reform Front sent an open letter to judiciary chief Mohseni-Ejei criticizing charges filed against critics of the recent executions and voicing concern over death sentences tied to the December protests, per RadioFarda.source
- Mohammad Rashidi, brother of Abbas Rashidi — mourned as a martyr of the uprising — was sentenced to three years in prison and is now serving it, LiveIranNews reports; he was first arrested on January 20 during the protests.source
- At least three explosions and a fire hit the Shamsabad industrial town in Tehran province; the Tehran province emergency spokesman said at least 18 people were injured, four of them taken to hospital. The cause was not stated.source
Interceptors Running Low — and Drones Reportedly Aimed at a U.S. Base in Kuwait
US / Coalition- CNN, citing informed sources, reports the U.S. military has used nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and about half of its Patriot interceptors since the war began, with commanders warning reserves have fallen to a 'dangerous' level, per Iran International.source
- The Pentagon has launched a program to sharply ramp up missile output, LiveIranNews reports — annual Patriot PAC-3 capacity rising from 600 to 2,000 units and THAAD from 96 to 400.source
- The IRGC attacked a U.S. military base in Kuwait with at least three drones overnight, a source familiar with the details told the Jerusalem Post, Open Source Intel reports; there was no official confirmation of damage.source
A Bulk Carrier Hit Off Khasab as CENTCOM Touts a Thousand Safe Transits
Gulf & Naval- Iran attacked the Liberia-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier MV Minoan Pioneer overnight about 23 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, in the U.S.-designated southern lane; the crew reportedly abandoned ship and one sailor is missing, per Open Source Intel.source
- CENTCOM said the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz remains free and open to all commercial vessels, and that over the past three months U.S. forces have helped more than 1,000 ships transit despite 'unwarranted Iranian aggression.'source
- USS Boxer is now supporting the blockade in regional waters; as of August 4, U.S. forces have redirected 45 commercial vessels, disabled two and boarded two, according to CENTCOM figures shared by Shin.source
- Bloomberg, citing diplomats, reports Tehran is weighing whether to let European countries clear mines in Hormuz as part of a shipping deal — having previously refused any foreign role — and has 'softened' its stance in private meetings, per Iran International.source
A Deal 'Today or Tomorrow'? Washington Talks Up a Hormuz Breakthrough
Global- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC there is a chance of a deal 'today or tomorrow' to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; asked whether Iran could charge tolls, he said 'the point will be freedom of passage,' per RadioFarda.source
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said talks involving the U.S., Oman and Iran on getting more ships through Hormuz have made progress but have not reached a final agreement; the ultimate goal remains ending Iran's nuclear threat, Iran International reports.source
- Citing the WSJ, Open Source Intel reports Iran has signaled it will reopen the Strait on conditions: the right to collect transit fees, guarantees against future attacks, an end to the U.S. naval blockade and relief from U.S. oil sanctions.source
- A senior Iranian source told Reuters the plan under discussion with Oman would give Iran control over incoming ships and notice of outgoing ones, with exits routed through an Iran-Oman corridor and permits issued via Oman, per RadioFarda.source