Morning recap

Good morning Middle East Eye readers,

President Donald Trump said he would "soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory after defeating Iran.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi retorted that Tehran would not be intimidated by threats or a show of force by Washington.

Trump’s remarks came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no decision has yet been made to resume negotiations with the United States.

Araghchi added that mediator Qatar and Pakistan were in contact with Iran and exchanging messages, but that this did not amount to negotiations.

Here are the latest developments from across the region: 
•    Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon early Saturday morning killed at least seven people. Advancing Israeli forces also demolished homes in Bint Jbeil.

•    A bulk carrier has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz,  the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

•    Yemen’s government says at least four civilians were killed when Houthis fired six ballistic missiles at the Red Sea port of al-Mokha on Friday.

•    UAE's Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said that one of its vessels came under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.

•    Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree has said the rebels “targeted concentrations and weapons belonging to the Saudi enemy”.

•    Three Palestinians were injured in firing by the Israeli army and settlers in the occupied West Bank on Friday evening, Wafa reported.

•    Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased on 13 August, with 13 confirmed vessel crossings, up 44 percent from nine crossings recorded the previous day, according to maritime tracking firm Kpler.