IRGC States Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed to US Vessels

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will not be accessible to vessels from the United States unless Iran's conditions are met. This statement was made by IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi during a briefing with reporters, as reported by the IRGC's official news outlet, Sepah News.

Mohebbi emphasised that the key waterway is firmly under Iranian control and stated, "No vessel can pass through it without Iran's permission." He further indicated that military presence from enemy warships is at least 400 kilometres away from the Strait. From both military and territorial standpoints, Mohebbi insisted that passage through this critical maritime route is not possible without Iranian supervision.

Moreover, he underscored that even the surrounding areas near Oman fall under Iran's jurisdiction, asserting, "The Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran and Oman."

In other developments, plans are underway by the United States to bring back diplomats to embassies across the Middle East, some of which were evacuated during the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. As reported by The New York Times, the U.S. aims to restore staffing at embassies in countries including Israel, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, with the first diplomats expected to return to the U.S. embassy in Lebanon.

In Nepal, a tragic flash flood has resulted in at least 95 fatalities and 484 people reported missing in the northern region. The Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that among the missing individuals are 391 foreign tourists along with 93 Nepali nationals. Rescue operations are ongoing, with security forces successfully aiding 88 individuals from the affected zones.

In Pakistan, a devastating fire in the gynecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences has led to the deaths of at least 14 infants. The fire broke out early on Wednesday morning, prompting emergency responses from hospital personnel and local authorities. Reports indicate that several children were rescued amidst the chaos.

Lastly, the world’s largest computer and video games trade fair, Gamescom 2026, has commenced in Cologne. The event, which runs for five days, hosts over 1,600 exhibitors from 67 countries, showcasing a variety of gaming experiences, cosplay performances, and sales of related products across a vast exhibition area of 233,000 square metres.