WASHINGTON/DUBAI, Aug. 18, 2026 — Tensions between the United States and Iran deepened Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran would not accept the kind of agreement he believes is necessary to end the conflict, while Iran insisted that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until Washington meets conditions it says were agreed under an interim deal.
According to Reuters, Trump said Monday that he did not expect Iran to accept an agreement that would satisfy Washington and insisted that Tehran must surrender. He also warned Oman against interfering with U.S. efforts concerning the Strait of Hormuz, saying the country could face military action if it obstructed Washington’s objectives.
The remarks came as Oman continued efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran and help restore commercial shipping through the strategic waterway. Trump accused Oman of obstructing the process and warned that the United States could take military action if necessary.
Iran, however, showed no sign of backing down. Iranian parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Tuesday that Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States fulfills conditions linked to an interim agreement reached in June.
Iran’s demands reportedly include an end to the blockade of Iranian ports, the lifting of oil sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to U.S. military threats and operations against Iran.
The memorandum of understanding signed June 17 was intended to provide a 60-day framework for negotiations toward a broader agreement, including restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump later said the agreement was effectively over, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry declared it suspended.
The dispute has major implications for global energy markets because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Before the conflict, roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through the waterway, according to Reuters.
Shipping activity has remained severely disrupted. Preliminary Kpler data cited by Reuters showed only six commodity vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, compared with a 10-day average of 11. No very large crude carrier or LNG tanker was recorded crossing the waterway. Before the conflict, more than 130 vessel crossings were recorded each day.
The security situation also deteriorated after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. The vessel’s engine room was damaged, while a crew member was reported affected by the incident. Omani authorities assisted the vessel, and the circumstances remained under investigation.
Oil prices also remained under pressure as markets assessed the possibility of a prolonged disruption. Reuters reported that crude prices edged higher Tuesday as hopes for a U.S.-Iran agreement weakened and concerns over supply through the Strait of Hormuz increased.
The geopolitical crisis comes as the Philippines faces a separate weather-related threat, with heavy monsoon rains causing widespread flooding across Metro Manila and parts of Luzon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, or PAGASA, continued to warn of heavy rainfall associated with the southwest monsoon, or habagat, affecting Metro Manila and several provinces in Luzon.
Several major roads in Metro Manila were affected by flooding. These included portions of EDSA-Shaw Boulevard, Mother Ignacia Avenue, G. Araneta Avenue, N.S. Amoranto Avenue, Valencia Street, West Riverside, Don Pepe Street, Kaliraya Street and E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City.
In Pasig City, flooding was reported along E. Mejia, Felipe Pike Street, Yakal Street, Lanite Street, Canley Road, A. Bonifacio Street, E. Santos and F. Soriano. Some sections of San Antonio Abad and Damayan Homes in Maybunga were also reported impassable to smaller vehicles.
Flooding was likewise reported in parts of Makati, including Enrique Street corner Inca Street and Emilia Street corner South Super Highway, although the affected sections remained passable to vehicles.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reported that Metro Manila received 201.7 millimeters of rainfall in just five hours on August 17, with 138 millimeters falling within a two-hour period from noon to 2 p.m. The volume was equivalent to about 44 percent of the rainfall brought by Typhoon Ondoy over a 24-hour period in 2009.
PAGASA also reported the formation of Tropical Depression Neneng east of Extreme Northern Luzon. The system was expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and contribute to continued rainfall over parts of the country.
With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed and diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran showing little progress, global markets are closely watching developments for signs of a prolonged energy supply disruption.
For the Philippines, continued monsoon rains and flooding remain an immediate concern, particularly in low-lying communities and major transport corridors, as authorities continue monitoring rainfall, waterways and possible landslides.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
