Day 159 of the WarWednesday, August 5, 2026
Day 159 — Interim Hormuz Deal Takes Shape: 60 Days, No Tolls, Inbound Ships via Iranian Waters; Draft Awaits Mojtaba's Nod
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Washington / Muscat / TehranTehranStrait of Hormuz / Red SeaTehranGorgan
Tehran's Counter-Script — 'Only Iran and Oman,' and No Return to Pre-War Hormuz
Iran- Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabadi said the Iran-Oman understanding is on the verge of finalization, including maps of entry and exit routes, but insisted it is solely between the two states — 'we do not recognize any rights for any other country,' per Iran International.source
- Gharibabadi also claimed the U.S. sent a message asking for negotiations four or five days after the new round of fighting began, and said existing temporary routes through Hormuz will be closed once the new arrangement takes effect, Open Source Intel reports.source
- Hassan Qashqavi, spokesman of parliament's national security commission, said Iran will not accept the 'U.S.-imposed' southern corridor and that conditions in Hormuz 'will absolutely not return' to how they were before the war, per RadioFarda.source
- State broadcaster IRIB said any Iran-Oman deal has nothing to do with the Strait's immediate opening, which depends on a change in U.S. behavior; CNN quotes a Gulf official that the IRGC is not in the delegation but must approve any deal, per Iran International.source
Pezeshkian Opens Up on Khamenei's Death as Kharazi Turns on the Old Leader's Office
Iran- In an IRIB interview, Pezeshkian said of Ali Khamenei's killing, 'the moment they struck, I felt that this had happened,' called contact with Mojtaba Khamenei 'very difficult,' and claimed the attackers planned to take over Iran within 48 hours, per Iran International and Open Source Intel.source
- Pezeshkian also said the late Leader had agreed Iranians abroad should face no problems if they return — 'we should tell them to come back, not arrest them when they arrive,' Open Source Intel reports.source
- In rare remarks, Hezbollah Iran chief Mohammad Bagher Kharazi called the former leader's office corrupt, attacked Pezeshkian and Ghalibaf, and said Mojtaba Khamenei had been expelled from his father's office three years earlier, Iran International reports.source
- The IRGC-affiliated Fars reports the state-owned Industrial Development Bank of Iran has frozen the accounts of the National Iranian Oil Company over its debts, even though the budget law deferred them, per Iran International.source
Gorgan — Grieving Families of Slain Protesters Arrested Over Instagram Stories
Iran- Security agents raided the home of Samaneh Asaran, the justice-seeking mother of Kiavash Mirghasemi, in Gorgan and arrested her over protest stories on her Instagram, seizing phones and electronics, according to information received by Iran International.source
- In the same raid agents also detained the sister of Mojtaba Kari; both 18-year-old Kiavash, shot in the heart by security forces, and 37-year-old lab worker Mojtaba were killed in Gorgan during the nationwide protests of winter 2025–26, Iran International reports.source
Satellite Confirms the Minoan Pioneer Strike as the Blockade Tally Hits 48
Gulf & Naval- Sentinel-2 satellite imagery taken on August 5 confirms that Iran struck the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Minoan Pioneer as it transited the Strait of Hormuz, Open Source Intel reports.source
- CENTCOM said F-16s continue patrolling regional waters as the blockade against Iran is enforced; as of August 5, U.S. forces have redirected 48 commercial vessels, disabled two and boarded two.source
- Yemen's Houthis claimed they hit the Saudi tanker 'Wafa' with several ballistic missiles off Yanbu in the Red Sea — the eighth ship they say they targeted since declaring a blockade of Saudi Arabia; the claim is not independently confirmed, per RadioFarda.source
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected CNN's report that nearly 80% of THAAD interceptor stocks have been used, posting the headline with the words 'This headline is not correct, CNN, shame on you,' per RadioFarda.source
The Interim Deal Takes Shape — 60 Days, No Tolls, Inbound Ships Through Iranian Waters
Global- Axios reports the U.S., Iran and Oman are nearing a 60-day interim Hormuz deal: inbound ships through Iranian waters, outbound via Omani waters coordinated with Iran, no transit fees, and mines cleared from the central lane within 30 days, per Open Source Intel.source
- According to Axios, the arrangement would also restore the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and restart nuclear talks, while the AP, citing two regional officials, says Iran and Oman have finalized a draft that now awaits Mojtaba Khamenei's final approval, per Iran International.source
- Reuters, citing a senior Iranian source and two regional officials, says the proposal would hand Iran control of ships entering the Gulf — one of the largest concessions to Tehran — but significant disagreements remain and the deal is not at its final stage, Iran International reports.source
- Trump told Fox News talks with Iran are going very well, but warned that if Tehran backs out again 'they will suffer a very hard blow' if Hormuz is not reopened soon, per RadioFarda; LiveIranNews quotes him saying it will become clear within 48 hours.source