A new escalation is unfolding in the Middle East, as the “game” between the U.S., Iran, and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz continues to “heat up.”

Just as Tehran is demanding tougher conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is telling the U.S. that talks with Iran will not begin “as long as Washington violates the agreement signed in June.”

He added that messages are being exchanged between mediators.

READ ALSO: Iran’s “fiery” conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz—here is the list of demands

Araghchi reiterated Iran’s position that an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz between Tehran and Muscat is in its “final stages,” but he will not reopen the strategic waterway.

The Houthis struck an Aramco facility

Meanwhile, Yemeni Houthi rebels announced that they had struck an oil facility on the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea in a new attack against Riyadh.

As they noted, “they managed to target the Aramco refinery,” owned by the Saudi oil giant, with a drone.

Saudi authorities had announced a short time earlier that a fire at the facility had been brought under control, without specifying its cause.

Saudi Arabia: Explosions & Massive Fire at Aramco Gas in Jubail

Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Industrial City just lit up.

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Explosions reported at Aramco’s Berri Gas Plant. NASA satellites are detecting a huge thermal anomaly right now.

This is one of the world’s biggest… pic.twitter.com/fmC3Mnepts

— George Free (@RealGeorgeFree) August 9, 2026

Source: CNN.gr