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Trump: US Controls Hormuz Strait, 'I Think We Will Keep It' - Confirms Economic Siege Strategy Summary

• Trump claims "total control" of Hormuz, signals strategy of continued economic pressure.
• Iran declares "victory" & says it can sustain the conflict & outlast.
• Iran shifts to a "survival economy" to withstand sanctions, Washington's economic warfare, naval blockade.
• Peace talks basically not happening, with Pakistan reporting "absolutely no progress."
• Tehran: Hormuz remains closed until Washington accepts all conditions.

//--> //--> //--> US-Iran 60 day negotiation period extended?
Yes 23% · No 78%
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Trump Claims 'Total Control' of Hormuz

In his latest Wednesday Truth Social post, Trump issues a familiar refrain (one that will likely be on repeat up to the November midterms), claiming that the USA has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and "I think we will keep it". It's also yet more confirmation that he's opting for economic siege warfare as the US military campaign is on halt. He also did his bizarre "Praise be to Allah!" sign off...

//--> //--> //--> US-Iran 60 day negotiation period extended?
Yes 23% · No 78%
View full market & trade on Polymarket Iran's Military Leadership: 'Victory is on Our Side'

It has become beyond obvious that there is no broader peace process and that things are in a stalemated situation amid what's broadly seen as a Washington retreat from military confrontation, leaving Iran to press its own vision of management over the Strait of Hormuz with Oman.

While President Trump has settled into a waiting game which once again bets on sanctions and economic warfare to eventually force Tehran to bend, Iranian military leaders are declaring that "victory is on our side".

Prior file image via Asia Sentinel Iran Becomes 'Survival Economy'

The Wall Street Journal has noted that the Islamic Republic has entered a 'survival economy' with the country’s rulers "taking time-tested steps to keep their chronically battered economy functioning just enough to resist a drawn-out campaign."

There's no doubt that infrastructure along with various key industries and the Iranian currency has been severely tested and battered, but the WSJ outlines strategies of this survival mode as follows:

Tehran is rationing scarce goods, limiting access to foreign currency, slashing investment and shifting more of the burden onto households while preserving strategic imports and the essential machinery of the state, analysts say. The result will be a deepening economic malaise that leads to rising poverty and dysfunction, but also more room for Iran’s leaders to stall talks with the U.S.

That leaves Trump’s strategy resting on a risky assumption that Iran will crack before Washington does. Mediators have warned their U.S. counterparts that Iran has been living under sanctions for years and betting that Tehran will compromise because of economic pressure won’t likely yield results. Instead, Iran will likely continue to escalate attacks to raise the price for Washington and its allies.

Such a 'risky assumption' was on display from even the very start of Operation Epic Fury nearly six months ago and nothing has fundamentally changed in terms of the Iranian system 'cracking'. Within merely the first two weeks of war back in early March, we highlighted some of Washington's persisting false assumptions in: Escalation Trap: Misreading Iran's Internal Power Dynamics.

Stalled Talks, Maximum Conditions

Meanwhile, Gulf and regional mediators are still clinging to hope that some form of ceasefire can limp along and be put back in full force, also with efforts to get the US and Iran talking again. As a Wednesday, per Bloomberg:

Pakistan said the 60-day deadline for a US-Iran MoU may be extended, but the larger peace process has stalled. Earlier, Donald Trump said the US "totally" controls the Strait of Hormuz. Oil wavered. 

Neither of these things are true - at this point the MoU is dead with Iran weeks ago having already pulled out while declaring in null. Also, if the US military 'totally' controlled the strait then there would be no crisis that must be 'resolved' and global oil would be transiting at full tilt again.

🇮🇷 “Certainly, victory is on our side.”

In an interview with PBS, senior IRGC adviser Mohammad Reza Naqdi said Iran has thwarted Washington’s objectives, learned how to fight the U.S. military and may prolong the war until the next American presidency to impose sustained costs… pic.twitter.com/K5cXNPRgQL

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) August 12, 2026

The latest from Reuters further observes that "The US and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis reported separate attacks on shipping as prospects for ending the Iran war appeared to dim, with Tehran saying the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless Washington accepts its conditions."

'Absolutely No Progress'

Mohsen Rezaee, the newly appointed head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has informed China’s ambassador to Tehran, Cong Peiwu: "As long as America does not change its behaviour and does not accept Iran’s conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened."

But so far on Wednesday there's been an uneasy quiet, so at least the bombs have fallen silent. But on Wednesday Reuters while citing mediators has painted a grim picture: "There has been absolutely no progress on this issue," the [Pakistani government] source added...

"There is no talk of an extension because, from Iran’s perspective, there is ​no period that began and therefore nothing to extend. The ​United States violated the interim agreement 48 hours after it was reached and ‌withdrew ⁠from it a few days later," the source told Reuters.

In the agreement, the 60-day period refers to an extendable timeframe within which Iran and the U.S. were expected to reach a final deal ​limiting Tehran's nuclear ​program and lifting ⁠U.S. sanctions.

"One of the issues that is being discussed via mediators is the U.S. returning to the ⁠interim ​agreement and defining a timeframe for implementing ​the commitments. There has been absolutely no progress on this issue," the source added."https://t.co/pqc9L848BC

— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) August 12, 2026 Overnight Developments

• US President Trump said they totally control the Strait of Hormuz, while he said regarding the flight change during the return trip from Turkey in early July that he was following what the Secret Service said and the plane he flew on was at greater risk. Furthermore, Trump said that he doesn't trust Iran.
• Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it continues to activate direct and indirect diplomatic channels between the US and Iran and that they are working to bring both sides to the negotiating table in Islamabad. The Ministry added that they remain optimistic and not discouraged by escalations. Furthermore, the Ministry added that with the 60-day MoU deadline approaching, the deadline can be extended.
• Pakistani Interior Minister is said to have given an important message to Iran.
• Iranian Army official said Iran intends to maintain control and oversight of the Strait of Hormuz as a key source of its geopolitical power, Mehr News reported.
• Iran's IRGC said that if a threat against Iran occurs again, "hundreds of thousands of miles of energy transmission lines, thousands of power plants, all US and non-US systems, and even global infrastructure connected to the Internet are at risk," Sepah reported.
• Japanese PM Takaichi held a phone call with the Iranian President, on de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the security of maritime transit, Kyodo reported, citing sources.
• Yemeni Deputy Foreign Minister said there has been no direct or indirect negotiations with the Houthis, Al ArabyTV reported.
• Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to IRIB.

Tyler Durden Wed, 08/12/2026 - 22:45

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Libya Reels From Assassination, Oil Strikes & Central Bank Turmoil

Via Middle East Eye

Libya was plunged into fresh turmoil this week after a car bomb killed eastern military intelligence chief Fawzi al-Mansouri in Benghazi, drone attacks struck the country’s largest operational oil refinery and the central bank governor resigned from his post.

Mansouri, the military intelligence chief for forces controlling eastern Libya, was leaving a mosque on Monday night when an explosive device attached to his vehicle detonated, the Libyan National Army (LNA) said on Tuesday.

AFP: a fire at the Zawiya refinery, Libya’s second-largest oil refinery, after a storage tank was attacked by unknown perpetrators in Al-Zawiyah on 11 August 2026 

Khaled Haftar, the son of the LNA renegade commander Khalifa Haftar who controls eastern Libya, said authorities had opened an investigation, adding that "indicators point to a despicable terrorist tactic".

"Terrorism is a project targeting the entire region, not just Libya," the statement added.

While no group has taken responsibility for the attack, Hamish Kinnear, principal Middle East and North Africa analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft, told Middle East Eye that "it is a reminder that security in eastern Libya remains fragile despite the domination of Khalifa Haftar’s LNA".

The killing also challenges the Haftar family’s efforts to present eastern Libya as stable after years of conflict. The LNA said it would "not cease fighting terrorism and will continue our struggle for the stability and security of Libya, as well as for the unification of its institutions".

The assassination came as emergency crews fought a major fire at the Zawiya oil refinery, west of Tripoli, following a drone attack on Monday evening. It was the third strike on the facility in two days.

Libya’s National Oil Corporation said a drone directly struck a tank holding about 4.5 million liters of fuel. The resulting fire caused the tank to collapse and prompted the company to warn that further attacks could force it to suspend operations.

Emergency services reported no serious injuries, although medics treated several people for smoke inhalation. Zawiya is Libya’s largest operational refinery and can process 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

“No group has claimed responsibility for the drone strikes, but they came amid an armed confrontation between rival militias in Zawiya and are likely intended as pressure on the Government of National Unity headed by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibah,” Kinnear said.

The turmoil deepened after a letter attributed to Central Bank of Libya Governor Naji Issa circulated widely on social media and local news outlets.

Addressed to the heads of the House of Representatives and High State Council, the letter said Issa would not remain in his post. He declined to explain his decision, citing the "sensitivity" of the reasons.

"Drone attacks on oil infrastructure in Zawiya, a car bomb assassination in Benghazi and the resignation of one of Libya’s top officials [in a space of 24 hours] underline how quickly Libya’s fragile political and security situation can deteriorate," said Kinnear.

🛢️ 🇱🇾 Libya Declares Maximum Emergency After Third Drone Strike Hits Largest Functioning Refinery

🔸Libya’s National Oil Corporation declared a “maximum state of emergency” around the Zawiya refinery west of Tripoli after three drone attacks in roughly 48 hours, Anadolu… pic.twitter.com/0ihJH6eAKe

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) August 11, 2026

Post-Gaddafi Libya remains divided between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and an eastern administration backed by Haftar.

The hydrocarbon-rich country produces more than 1.3 million barrels of oil per day but continues to suffer prolonged electricity cuts. Blackouts have triggered protests in Tripoli, Zawiya, Misrata and other cities, where demonstrators have demanded reliable power and called for Dbeibah to resign.

"Libya’s energy infrastructure often becomes the target in these confrontations, as it is the easiest means by which pressure can be placed on political leaders and concessions demanded," Kinnear said.

Tyler Durden Wed, 08/12/2026 - 22:35

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Ann Arbor Is The 'Most Educated' City In America

This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Bruno Venditti, ranks the most educated U.S. cities in 2026, highlighting metropolitan areas with high levels of educational attainment and strong local education systems.

The data for this visualization comes from WalletHub. Cities were ranked using a weighted composite score based on educational attainment (80%) and education quality and equality (20%).

College Towns Continue to Lead

Ann Arbor, Michigan, ranks first with an overall score of 94.48, driven by exceptionally high educational attainment.

Rank Most Educated Cities State Total Score (0-100) 1 Ann Arbor MI 94.48 2 Durham NC 85.00 3 San Jose CA 82.67 4 Washington DC 81.93 5 Madison WI 79.62 6 San Francisco CA 78.92 7 Raleigh NC 77.88 8 Boston MA 77.78 9 Austin TX 76.46 10 Seattle WA 75.21 11 Portland ME 71.85 12 Denver CO 71.37 13 Colorado Springs CO 69.94 14 Bridgeport CT 69.71 15 Provo UT 69.55 16 Portland OR 67.83 17 Huntsville AL 67.69 18 Minneapolis MN 66.72 19 Baltimore MD 66.56 20 Albany NY 66.49 21 Trenton NJ 66.02 22 San Diego CA 65.78 23 Tallahassee FL 65.75 24 Lexington KY 65.44 25 Asheville NC 64.45 26 Atlanta GA 64.03 27 Charleston SC 63.52 28 New Haven CT 62.75 29 Hartford CT 62.63 30 New York NY 62.48

More than 96% of adults in Ann Arbor have earned at least a high school diploma. The presence of the University of Michigan also contributes to the area’s highly educated population.

Durham, North Carolina, ranks second, reflecting the influence of Duke University and the broader Research Triangle.

Madison, Wisconsin, also earns a top-five finish, supported by the University of Wisconsin and a workforce anchored by government, health care, and research.

Technology Hubs Also Rank Highly

Several of the country’s leading technology centers rank among its most educated cities.

San Jose places third, followed by San Francisco in sixth and Seattle in 10th, reflecting the concentration of highly skilled workers in Silicon Valley and the Pacific Northwest.

Austin ranks ninth as its growing technology sector continues to attract graduates and professionals from across the country.

Washington, D.C., places fourth, supported by a highly educated workforce across government, consulting, law, and policy organizations.

The East Coast Has a Strong Presence

Nearly half of the top 30 cities are located on the East Coast, reflecting the region’s dense network of universities, research institutions, and knowledge-based industries.

Boston, Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Albany, Trenton, Baltimore, and New York all make the list.

Many of these metropolitan areas benefit from long-term investment in higher education and proximity to major employers in finance, health care, biotechnology, and government.

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out Which U.S. States Depend Most on Manufacturing? on Voronoi.

Tyler Durden Wed, 08/12/2026 - 22:10

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