International News 19 August 2026
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Iran Insists Strait of Hormuz Stays Closed Until US Meets June Deal Terms
Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States complies with all conditions outlined in an interim agreement signed in June 2026. According to Reuters, citing a statement published by Iranian state media on Tuesday, chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf reiterated Tehran's firm stance amid ongoing diplomatic friction with Washington. Qalibaf outlined Tehran's demands, which include the complete lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, the removal of oil sanctions, and the unfreezing of seized Iranian assets. Furthermore, Iran insists on the cessation of all military operations and threats across all fronts before normal shipping traffic can resume through the strategic waterway.
Trump's Approval Rating Hits Record Low Amid Fears of Prolonged Iran War
U.S. public approval for President Donald Trump has plummeted to the lowest point of his current presidency, as a majority of Americans express growing concerns over the prospect of a prolonged war with Iran. These findings stem from a four-day Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll that concluded on Monday, highlighting the political toll the overseas conflict is taking on the administration. The survey indicates that only 33% of respondents approve of Trump's overall job performance, while a commanding 64% disapprove. This latest figure represents a drop from a 35% approval rating in early August, matching the all-time low of his previous term recorded in December 2017. While Trump's popularity had already been hovering below the 50% mark since his return to the White House in 2025, public support has faced intense downward pressure this year following his decision to launch joint military strikes against Iran alongside Israel.
US 30-Year Treasury Yield Reaches 19-Year High Amid Iran Tensions and Fiscal Concerns
The 30-year U.S. Treasury yield surged to its highest level since 2007 on Tuesday, propelled by a diplomatic stalemate in negotiations to end the U.S.–Iran conflict and fears of military escalation that drove crude oil prices higher. As surging energy costs revived global inflation concerns, the U.S. sovereign debt market faced added strain from mounting worries over heavy government fiscal spending and expanding debt issuance. According to Reuters, the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield rose to an intraday peak of 4.735% before settling near 4.729%, while the 30-year yield touched 5.321% during Asian trading hours, marking a 19-year high. Vasu Menon, Managing Director of Investment Strategy at OCBC, noted that several broader factors have driven Treasury yields upward, including massive capital requirements from major tech companies for artificial intelligence development, coupled with the ballooning U.S. budget deficit. Emphasizing the evolving market landscape, Menon cautioned that climbing long-duration yields pose a notable risk going forward, advising bond investors to actively manage this exposure by shifting their focus toward shorter-duration securities.
https://internasional.kontan.co.id/news/yield-us-treasury-30-tahun-tembus-level-tertinggi-sejak-2007