What you need to know
- India reports commercial ship struck and sunk off Yemeni coast, says crew all rescued
- Hezbollah and Lebanon's government clash over latest talks with Israel
- Representatives of the two governments are meeting at the US Embassy in Rome
- The Trump administration claims, once again, it is close to a breakthrough in talks with Iran
- Follow DW for updates on the US-Iran war and the wider conflicts in the Middle East on Tuesday, August 4.
India reports 'defenseless' ship struck and sunk off Yemen
An Indian vessel has been struck near Yemeni waters, India Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday.
"Indian MSV Faize Noore Oliya has been hit by a projectile near Yemeni waters, causing the vessel to capsize and sink," Sonowal said, without attributing responsibility.
"India strongly condemns this unprovoked attack on the defenseless mechanized sailing vessel. The safety of our people is our supreme priority and I am relieved to inform that ALL 14 seafarers (including 13 Indians) have been safely rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought to the Port of Mokha," he wrote.
Sonowal said he had instructed the country's Director General Maritime Admnistration to take "immediate steps" and "ensure the absolute security of Indian seafarers in the region."
India's Foreign Ministry also condemned the incident in a statement, and said its Embassy in Riyadh was "closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with Yemeni authorities."
Concerns over shipping off Yemen's coast — approaching the western coast of Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea, rather than the Persian Gulf — has come into increased focus in recent weeks since the Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen declared a "blockade" of Saudi Arabia and told commercial ships to avoid the area.
Rubio: US 'involved' in Iran-Oman Hormuz talks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to shed some light on alleged talks with Iran following conflicting messages from Washington and Tehran.
After Trump had suggested talks with Iran were progressing, Iran had instead said it was talking with Oman about trying to allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, in turn, dubbed this "unbelievably duplicitous!" online.
A day later, Rubio said that talks were indeed taking place between Iran and Oman, but also said that the US was "involved" in the process.
"There's been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet. We're hoping that will happen very shortly," Rubio told reporters at the State Department.
Cargo vessel catches fire after projectile strike off Oman
A commercial vessel was struck "by an unknown projectile" overnight off the coast of Oman, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Tuesday.
It listed the location as a site either in or near the Strait of Hormuz, some 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers) northeast of Al Khasab in Oman.
The UKMTO did not identify the vessel or provide information about possible damage, but a maritime security company provided more information later.
Vanguard Tech identified the ship as a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, called the "Minoan Pioneer," and said it was transiting northbound through the strait at the time of the attack.
"The projectile reportedly struck the engine room, while a fire broke out in the accommodation area. The crew are fighting the fire and require assistance, while the third engineer is reported missing," Vanguard said.
It said another ship filed the initial distress call, reporting that the affected vessel had suffered a "complete blackout and required assistance."
US Treasury Secretary Bessent touts 'chance' of deal 'today or tomorrow'
Members of Donald Trump's administration are backing up the US president's claims of progress with Iran.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a media interview on Tuesday that a deal securing Strait of Hormuz shipping could be struck as early as this week.
"We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict," Bessent told US broadcaster CNBC.
When asked if the deal would include Strait of Hormuz transit fees demanded by Tehran, Bessent also said he expected ships would be able to pass freely.
Iran had disputed Donald Trump's claims of talks with the US altogether on Monday, instead saying it was negotiating with Oman and hoping for a deal on commercial shipping.
Hezbollah and Lebanon's government clash over Israel talks
Israeli and Lebanese negotiators met in Rome on Tuesday for a seventh round of US-sponsored direct talks, seeking to implement plans to remove Israel's military from its unilaterally imposed "buffer zone" near the de facto border.
Even as the talks took place, however, the powerful Iran-backed militia Hezbollah expressed their opposition to the process, casting doubt on the government in Beirut's ability to implement any agreements reached.
"All the direct negotiations will bring Lebanon nothing but shame, humiliation, disappointment and successive concessions," Hezbollah's chief Naim Qassem said in a televised address.
He alleged that President Joseph Aoun "has not acted as an arbiter, nor as a unifying figure, but has become biased and divisive, which is incompatible with his role and with Lebanon's strength."
Lebanon's Prime Minister Naim Sawaf fired back in a post online, saying that "the greatest help to Israel was provided by those who uniltareally drew Lebanon into the adventures of futile wars ... and granted pretexts to attack our country."
Lebanon's government attempted to ordered Hezbollah not to attack Israel in response to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran but the attempt failed.
The talks in Rome are seeking to replace the Israeli military in southern Lebanese towns and villages with Lebanese troops, who should in turn pledge to disarm Hezbollah fighters and prevent them from attacking sites in northern Israel. The places where it takes effect are being called "pilot zones."
It was not clear how the Lebanese government plans to secure or enforce Hezbollah's cooperation. Germany, the US, Israel and others regard the Shiite militia as a terror group.
Welcome to our coverage
Hello and welcome to our updates on the conflicts in the Middle East on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
The latest round of US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon are taking place in Rome, albeit to the apparent displeasure of the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the news on the talks between the US and Iran is less clear. The Trump administration is reporting a resumption of negotiations and indeed progress as it attempts to secure guarantees on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has been much more reticent, speaking only of bilateral discussions with Oman.
Amid the back and forth, another commercial vessel came under fire near the Strait of Hormuz overnight, with a fire breaking out on board.
We will be bringing you more on these and other stories from the Middle East in this live blog.