Dear patient readers,<\/p>\n
Your humble blogger did not want to compete with a fine Iran conflict background article from Reality-Based Analysis we are publishing today with an Iran war post, particularly since the new news on that front is not overwhelming. So please see the Iran war section for updates.<\/p>\n
However, it seemed important to call out gross but sadly typical market-soothing spin in the US media, of the standout development, that of Iran and Oman reaching an interim agreement of Strait of Hormuz operation. First, the landing pages of PressTV:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-26-at-1.51.06\u202fPM.png)
From the article, Iran details temporary Hormuz arrangement with Oman; vows reopening tied to fulfillment of demands<\/a>:<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs details a temporary arrangement between the Islamic Republic and Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz, while asserting that reopening of the waterway hinges on realization of Tehran\u2019s demands.<\/p>\n Remarking on Tuesday, Kazem Gharibabadi detailed the arrangement that he identified as tentative pending establishment of a \u201cpermanent route\u201d during further negotiations between the two sides that are expected to take between 30 and 60 days\u2026<\/p>\n Tehran has conditioned reopening of the waterway on realization of a number of prerequisites, including cessation of American interference in regional maritime traffic.<\/p>\n According to Gharibabadi, under the arrangement involving Iran and Oman, the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz will be closed. As part of its violations of the MoU, the US would try to illegally escort vessels through the southern route that runs along the Omani coastline.<\/p>\n Oman has accepted the closure, the official said, adding that the move would be communicated to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).<\/p>\n Under the arrangement, \u201cvessels entering the Persian Gulf will use Iranian waters, while vessels leaving the Persian Gulf will use Omani territorial waters,\u201d the senior diplomat stated. \u201cVessels would pass through Iranian waters in both directions,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Iran has been clear and consistent that there will be no \u201copening\u201d of the Strait of Hormuz until its requirements are met. <\/p>\n So it would seem Iran now has Oman\u2019s permission to block transits on the Oman side. We had speculated that Iran had been tolerating some level of transits on that side so as not to violate Omani sovereignity while both sides were negotiating. We will see if that interpretation is correct since Iran now said, in response to Bessent\u2019s new killer Schrodinger\u2019s sanctions, that it would halt all passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Keep in mind that this would also be consistent with Iran\u2019s aim of increasing economic pressure on Trump in the runup to the midterms.<\/p>\n See what Bloomberg would have you believe about the Iran announcement:<\/p>\n From the body of the story<\/a>:<\/p>\n The article does mention that Trump had said all mines had been cleared and that claim was viewed with skepticism. You have to get well into the article to find any mention that any end to the Strait of Hormuz traffic strangulation depends on the US accepting and acting on Iran\u2019s requirements:<\/p>\n But there were indications Tuesday that the negotiations could incorporate other nations in the region. The joint statement from Iran and Oman said that both sides \u201cemphasized the importance of holding joint talks with regional countries bordering the waters of the Persian Gulf\u201d as the months-long discussions continue. And Albusaidi, in a social media post, said that discussions with regional partners \u201cwill be conducted in support of peace and cooperation, stability and freedom of navigation.\u201d\u2026<\/p>\n Tehran says a return to talks hinges on Washington honoring the terms of the deal, accusing the US of breaching the agreement by encouraging ships to use alternative routes that undermine Iranian authority over the strait\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely a baby step in the right direction, but the US reaction and coordination will be important in understanding how serious it is,\u201d said Anna Jacobs, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Even though the mainstream media is the very big sinner on the accuracy front, it is frustrating to see how often bad takes are propagated on YouTube, particularly when they come from anti-imperialists too willing to take up preliminary information or rumors that suit their priors. One is the idea that the countries in the Mecca Accords have asked Iran to join. They have not. They have agreed to have tea and cookies conversations. The Cradle put a correction at the top of their initial report, but I see too many flogging the inflated early version. Second, too much has been made of statements by President Pezeshkian and chief negotiator Ghalivaf which are presented as proving that the Iran economy is hurting and they see a deal as the only way out. Professor Marandi addressed these depictions first, saying they were cheery-picked and the full remarks of each gave a different picture. Nima later said on the same issue that the reports of internal splits are greatly exaggerated and the Iranian leadership is unified on the goal, which includes getting the US out of West Asia. <\/p>\n Dolly Parton, Queen of Country Music, Dies at 80<\/a> Variety<\/p>\n Forces deep inside Earth helped Antarctica freeze before the Arctic<\/a> Science Daily (Kevin W)<\/p>\n How to Build a Fine-Grained City: Party Walls, Point Access, and the Granular Block<\/a> Courtyard Urbanist (Micael T)<\/p>\n FDA Approves First Alzheimer\u2019s Blood Test For Americans As Young As 40<\/a> New Atlas. Have pinged KLG about this. He is skeptical too re its predictive value. <\/p>\n World faces historic population decline \u2013 study<\/a> RT (Kevin W)<\/p>\n #COVID-19\/Pandemics<\/p>\n First deaths in US measles crisis reported<\/a> RT (Kevin W) <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Climate\/Environment<\/p>\n 2026: A Climate \u2018You Are Here\u2019<\/a> Thomas Neuburger<\/p>\n Climate: Saving Old Trees Might Save Lives<\/a> New York Times (resilc)<\/p>\n Heat waves linked to at least 35,000 excess deaths across Europe: Report<\/a> Anadolu Agency<\/p>\n Scientists left this farm field alone. Thousands of orchids appeared<\/a> Science Daily (Kevin W)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n China?<\/p>\n China Shock 2.0 Is Here<\/a> Apollo<\/p>\n China Delays Ambitious Chang\u2019e 7 Lunar Mission Until 2027<\/a> Scientific American<\/p>\n A Hit Chinese Legal Drama Reopens an Old Question About Lawyers<\/a> Pekinology<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Africa<\/p>\n What\u2019s Really Behind South Africa\u2019s Persecution Of The Famous Pan-African Activist Kemi Seba?<\/a> Andrew Korybko<\/p>\n Libya\u2019s brain drain, 15 years after Tripoli fell<\/a> Aljazeera<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n O Canada<\/p>\n Trump eyes changing Lake Ontario name amid trade war with Canada<\/a> The Hill. More evidence Trump has lost his mind.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s 50% Auto Tariffs On Canada Are Going To Ravage Jobs And Profits On Both Sides Of The Border<\/a> Jalopnik (resilc)<\/p>\n Canada is finally figuring it out<\/a> YouTube (resilc)<\/p>\n Canada Closes St. Lawrence to U.S. Shipping Until America Pays 50% \u201cFreedom of Navigation\u201d Tariff<\/a> Brian Moir (Chuck L)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n South of the Border<\/p>\n The Biden-Era C.B.P. Fabricated a Document Used to Imprison a Top-Level Brazilian Official. A U.S. Federal Judge Just Ordered Full Disclosure<\/a>.Glenn Greenwald<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n European Disunion<\/p>\n French far-right leader Marine Le Pen polling at record high ahead of 2027 election<\/a> Middle East Eye<\/p>\n France wants to limit Ukraine\u2019s non-European procurement with EU money<\/a> Euronews<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Old Blighty<\/p>\n Of Judges, Juries and Fascism<\/a> Craig Murray<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Israel v. The Resistance (and the US)<\/p>\n CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou: “A friend close to the president told me there are 10,000 JFK assassination documents that will never be released \u2013 because every single one points directly at Israel. <\/p>\n Israel was angry that JFK wouldn’t give them nuclear technology and was\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Ounka (@OunkaOnX) August 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n You don\u2019t hate Zionism nearly enough. https:\/\/t.co\/MrgQOiO5ms<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kathleen Tyson (@Kathleen_Tyson_) August 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Netanyahu Guards Pointing Assault Rifles at Beachgoers Shows How He Sees Israeli Civilians<\/a> Haaretz (Kevin W)<\/p>\n BREAKING:<\/p>\n Israel is burning the village of Hadatha in South Lebanon.<\/p>\n Not military targets. This is terrorism. pic.twitter.com\/3TPHBdRucv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 sarah (@sahouraxo) August 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \ud83d\udea8Israeli Settlers Stole & Tied A Donkey Up To Vehicle, Forcing It To Run Until Exhaustion<\/p>\n Then they dragged the donkey to death.<\/p>\n This occurred in the hills of southern Al-Khalil. Not only are they stealing, shooting & poising livestock, they are torturing Palestinian owned\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/UI8u7sxHV2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MintPress News (@MintPressNews) August 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nakedcapitalism.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-26-at-1.59.00\u202fPM.png)
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Homes. Land. Civilian infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n