President Trump says US only "partially negotiated" with Iran
US President Donald Trump said the US is currently only "partially negotiating" with Iran, while leaving open the possibility of further increasing economic pressure instead of launching a new military campaign, according to Xinhua on August 9 (local time).
Mr. Trump said the US is approaching the issue cautiously and said the Iranian economy is in a "very bad situation".
According to sources, an agreement related to regulating maritime activities through the Strait of Hormuz has been negotiated by Iran, Oman and the United States and is awaiting approval.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi previously said that Iran and Oman have moved very close to an agreement on the establishment of a temporary maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Mr. Araghchi on August 9 affirmed that there is currently no negotiation between Iran and the US. According to him, the resumption of negotiations will not be possible if the US does not stop violating the new memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries.
Russia and Syria reach agreement on trade zones at Tartus port
Russia and Syria have agreed to transfer to the Syrian side previously managed commercial areas by Russia at the port of Tartus, including wharf No. 4 and surrounding warehouses and works, according to the Syrian Port and Customs Authority.
The agency said the agreement was reached after a series of negotiations between Damascus and Moscow. The centralized transfer to the port's commercial areas does not mean that Russia will withdraw from its entire presence in Tartus.
Earlier, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that the two countries had signed a memorandum of understanding on reorganizing Russian military bases in Syria, in the direction of using these facilities as a joint training center for the two countries' forces.
Russia currently has 2 military facilities in Syria, including a naval logistics center at the port of Tartus and Khmeimim airbase near the city of Jableh, Latakia province.
In October 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Syria is interested in maintaining Russian military bases, but these facilities could be reorganized to serve other purposes.
Israel airstrikes important irrigation project in southern Lebanon
According to the Litani River Authority, Israeli fighter jets bombed a water culvert on the Qasmiyeh irrigation canal in the Mansouri area, southern Lebanon, on the morning of August 9 (local time).
This project belongs to the Qasmiyeh Ras Al Ain irrigation project, supplying water to about 2,400 hectares of fruit orchards along the southern Lebanese coast. Technical teams are assessing damage and no casualties have been recorded.
The project uses water from the Litani River and stretches about 59km. Authorities said Israel destroyed 8 of the 10 bridges and water culverts built on this river in March.
The latest airstrike took place after the 7th round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in Rome, aimed at promoting security agreements along the border and implementing the framework signed by the two sides at the end of June.
