ABU DHABI/TEHRAN, August 15, 2026: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly released a substantial amount of Iranian assets frozen in UAE banks, including around two tonnes of gold and large amounts of cash, according to Iranian and regional sources cited in the report.

The reported move comes amid continuing tensions between the United States and Iran and stalled diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

WHAT HAPPENED

According to the report, Iranian sources claim that the UAE transferred assets belonging to Iran that had previously been frozen in UAE banks.

The reported transfers included:

Around two tonnes of gold

Large amounts of cash

A previously reported transfer of approximately $3 billion in cash

The report says the gold is worth approximately ₹2,300 crore, while the earlier cash transfer was valued at around $3 billion (approximately ₹25,000 crore).

SPECIAL FLIGHTS REPORTED

Sources from Qatar and Tehran reportedly said that special flights travelled from Abu Dhabi to Iran on August 11 and 12.

The flights reportedly travelled to:

Mehrabad Airport

Karaj Payam Airport

According to the report, the aircraft remained at the Iranian airports for approximately one hour before returning to the UAE.

It also refers to a flight that travelled from Abu Dhabi to Mehrabad on June 8.

$3 BILLION CASH TRANSFER

The report cites Reuters as having previously reported that approximately $3 billion in cash was transferred to Iran during the June 8 operation.

The latest gold and cash transfers are reportedly believed to involve Iranian assets that had been frozen in UAE banks.

WHY DID THE UAE TAKE THE STEP?

The report says some analysts believe the UAE's decision could be a strategic move aimed at protecting its own interests amid escalating US-Iran tensions.

One explanation cited is that the UAE may be seeking to reduce the possibility of Iranian retaliation against its territory if military conflict between the US and Iran intensifies.

However, the supplied report does not establish the UAE's official reasoning for the alleged transfers.

IRAN'S ECONOMIC PRESSURE

Iran's economy has been facing severe pressure because of US sanctions and restrictions on its access to international financial systems.

Against that backdrop, access to substantial cash and gold would provide Iran with additional financial resources.

Analysts cited in the report described the reported transfers as potentially significant relief for Tehran.

KEY POINTS

The UAE reportedly released frozen Iranian assets.

The reported assets include about two tonnes of gold.

A previous transfer reportedly involved $3 billion in cash.

Special flights reportedly travelled from Abu Dhabi to Iranian airports on August 11 and 12.

The report says the flights remained in Iran for roughly one hour.

The gold is estimated in the report at approximately ₹2,300 crore.

The earlier $3 billion cash transfer was estimated at around ₹25,000 crore.

The UAE's official reason for the alleged transfers is not established in the supplied report.

The development comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions and stalled diplomatic efforts.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The reported movement of Iranian assets could become significant if tensions between the US, Iran and Gulf states continue to escalate. Confirmation from UAE authorities or additional independent reporting would be important to establish the precise nature and scale of the alleged transfers.

TEHRAN, August 15, 2026: Iran has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump's remarks claiming that the United States would gain complete control over the Strait of Hormuz after defeating Iran in the ongoing conflict.

Iranian officials said the strategic waterway remains under Iranian control and warned that the deployment of US warships would not enable Washington to seize it.

IRAN'S RESPONSE

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iran's control and that no country could occupy it.

He said the decision on whether the waterway should remain open or closed would depend on Iran's decision.

Gharibabadi also said Iran would continue its blockade of the Strait until the United States abandoned what he described as its "illusions" and accepted defeat.

“WE WILL NOT BOW TO MILITARY PRESSURE”

Gharibabadi said Iran would not be intimidated by threats or surrender to military displays.

He argued that deploying warships would not be sufficient for the United States to take control of the strategically important waterway.

IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER'S CLAIM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also rejected US claims that ships were freely travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi said the waterway remained completely under Iranian control, as it had been previously.

He claimed that no commercial vessel would be permitted to pass through the Strait without approval from Iran's armed forces.

According to Araghchi, the United States was making incorrect assessments about the situation surrounding Hormuz.

WHAT DID TRUMP SAY?

Trump reportedly said at a media conference on Saturday that the United States would defeat Iran in the war.

He further said that after Iran's defeat, the United States would declare the Strait of Hormuz as US territory, according to the report.

Trump also said Iran's nuclear capability posed a long-term danger and that destroying that capability was among the objectives behind the US military action.

WHY THE STRAIT MATTERS

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes.

Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway could have significant consequences for global energy supplies, oil markets and international trade.

The latest exchange therefore marks a sharp escalation in rhetoric between Washington and Tehran over control of the waterway.

KEY POINTS

Iran rejected Trump's claim regarding US control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said warships cannot seize the waterway.

Iran says it controls decisions regarding the opening or closure of the Strait.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disputed US claims of free navigation.

Iran says commercial vessels require approval from its armed forces to pass.

Trump said the US would control the Strait after defeating Iran, according to the supplied report.

Trump also cited Iran's nuclear capability as a reason for the conflict.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz could remain a major flashpoint between Iran and the United States. Any change in shipping access could have wider implications for regional security, energy markets and global trade.

JAKARTA, August 15, 2026: A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara region near Flores Island early Saturday, triggering a tsunami warning and prompting authorities to advise residents in coastal areas to move to safer locations.

WHAT HAPPENED

The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of roughly 10–15 kilometres, with the epicentre located near the Flores region, around 68 km from Ende.

The powerful tremor was followed by several aftershocks, including a 6.1-magnitude tremor reported in the same region.

TSUNAMI WARNING

Following the earthquake, Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami warning and urged people living along vulnerable coastal areas to move inland or to higher ground.

The warning was later lifted after authorities found no significant continuing sea-level threat. BMKG said it would continue monitoring sea levels and aftershocks.

CASUALTIES AND DAMAGE

The initial report supplied for this story said there was no information on casualties or property damage.

However, later reports have confirmed deaths and significant damage. Rescue teams reported collapsed buildings, landslides and damaged infrastructure in parts of East Nusa Tenggara. Casualty figures have continued to change as rescue operations progress.

AFTERSHOCKS

Authorities continue to monitor the region for aftershocks following the major earthquake.

BMKG linked the earthquake to the Flores back-arc thrust fault, noting that the fault is capable of producing earthquakes of similar strength.

KEY POINTS

Magnitude: 7.7

Region: Flores / East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Depth: approximately 10–15 km

Tsunami warning: issued initially and later lifted

Aftershocks: several reported, including a strong tremor

Coastal residents were advised to move to safer, higher ground.

Rescue and damage-assessment operations are continuing.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Indonesian authorities are continuing search-and-rescue operations, damage assessments and aftershock monitoring. Residents in affected coastal areas are being urged to follow official instructions and remain alert to further warnings.

WASHINGTON, August 15, 2026: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended greetings to India on its 80th Independence Day, saying the relationship between India and the United States is stronger than ever.

Rubio attributed the strength of the bilateral relationship in part to the close personal ties between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

WHAT RUBIO SAID

Rubio said cooperation between India and the United States is expanding across several strategically important areas, including:

Defence

Energy security

Critical minerals

Artificial intelligence

Space

Trade

He said the partnership between the two countries is continuing to broaden beyond traditional areas of cooperation.

INDO-PACIFIC AND INDIAN OCEAN REGION

Rubio said Washington attaches high importance to cooperation with New Delhi in the Indian Ocean region.

He emphasised that the partnership is not limited to the interests of the two governments and extends more broadly to cooperation between their people and societies.

PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES

Rubio described the friendship between the people of India and the United States as a foundation of the bilateral partnership.

He said these people-to-people connections have helped strengthen relations between the two countries.

US LOOKS AHEAD TO FURTHER COOPERATION

Rubio said the United States looks forward to continuing to work with India in the future.

The statement comes as the two countries continue cooperation in strategic sectors including defence, technology, energy and space.

OTHER COUNTRIES SEND GREETINGS

India's Independence Day also prompted messages from other countries.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed hope that the friendship between India and Israel would become even stronger.

Singapore also conveyed its greetings, highlighting its strategic and economic relationship with India. Singapore expressed support for deeper cooperation in areas including digital connectivity, green energy and defence.

KEY POINTS

Marco Rubio congratulated India on its 80th Independence Day.

He described India-US relations as stronger than ever.

Defence, energy security, critical minerals, AI, space and trade are key areas of cooperation.

Washington places importance on cooperation with India in the Indian Ocean region.

Rubio highlighted strong people-to-people ties between India and the US.

Israel and Singapore also conveyed Independence Day greetings to India.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

India and the United States are expected to continue expanding cooperation in strategic sectors, particularly defence, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy, space and trade, while strengthening their partnership in the Indian Ocean region.