Iranian diplomat and politician, foreign minister since Aug 2024
Houthi forces have launched ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi airports, including King Khalid in Riyadh and Abha, killing at least three foreign residents and wounding dozens. Saudi air defences have intercepted some projectiles and the kingdom has struck Houthi sites in Yemen in response. Flights to Riyadh have been disrupted and authorities have temporarily closed King Khalid airport.
Police have investigated a suspicious van incident near RAF Fairford on 27 September that forced 85 homes to evacuate. Counter‑terrorism teams have recovered petrol from the vehicles but found no explosives. Five London men were arrested and released on bail; a 27‑year‑old dual UK‑Iranian national has been arrested in London as part of the inquiry. US bombers previously based at Fairford have re‑deployed to the United States.
Iran has said it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Washington meets seven conditions drawn from the Islamabad memorandum, after Qatari mediators delivered a US reply. Tehran is continuing to trade messages through intermediaries, while US officials and presidential envoys have discussed options publicly and privately.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz remain high as indirect talks between Tehran and Washington stall. Iran has pressed seven conditions for reopening the strait, while the United States signals openness to further talks or renewed military action. A tanker strike near Hormuz is reported and several vessels face threats amid a broader push for a political settlement.
President Trump has announced what he called the "most crushing economic operation ever" against Iran and warned any country that provides a lifeline to Tehran will face "tremendous economic consequences." Treasury officials have signalled stepped‑up secondary sanctions while Tehran has rejected the move; oil prices and US equities have reacted this week.
The United States has announced a new wave of sanctions aimed at Iran’s economy, describing them as the most severe financial measures yet. Tehran warns of retaliatory moves, and markets react as the rial hits record lows amid heightened tensions. Officials from both sides signal a broad confrontation that could redraw energy routes and international trade.
The United States has warned of an unprecedented financial offensive against Iran, with Treasury officials and the president signaling tighter enforcement of sanctions. Tehran has warned of an "earthquake-like" retaliation and warned Gulf states against joining. Oil markets are watching, as prices fluctuate amid the standoff.
The US Treasury has announced "Operation Economic Outcast," expanding secondary sanctions and targeting Iran's digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping to sever Tehran's revenue streams. Washington has designated about 60 individuals, companies and vessels worldwide; Iran says it is prepared with contingency plans and vows to pursue both defence and diplomacy.
Iran and the United States are locked in a widening standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran arrays for potential retaliation as Washington expands sanctions targeting Iran’s digital assets, gold, aviation and shipping. Mediators in the region push to reopen Hormuz and end hostilities amid rising economic pressure.
The Strait of Hormuz has seen mines cleared, enabling greater tanker traffic. Iran and Oman are negotiating a temporary corridor while broader management of the strait remains under discussion. Sanctions and regional tensions continue to shape energy markets.
Iran and Oman have agreed a phased framework to create a temporary navigational corridor and a joint mine‑clearance project for the Strait of Hormuz. The route would route inbound traffic through Iranian waters and outbound traffic partly through Omani waters; technical talks will continue on a permanent arrangement. The strait remains effectively closed until political conditions are met.
Iran, under pressure from renewed sanctions and a collapsed June MoU, is pursuing diplomacy to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran says the strait will not reopen until US commitments are met, while mediators in Doha, Doha, and Muscat coordinate talks with Qatar, Oman and Pakistan to de‑escalate and resume dialogue.
US forces have carried out strikes on Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island after they detected efforts to deploy rockets with naval mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks at US bases in Jordan and the UAE in response. Both sides are signalling readiness to hit back again while diplomatic and economic pressure continues.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as Iran and the United States exchange missiles and sanctions. Washington has struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island following Tehran’s attacks on US bases in Jordan, while Tehran warns of harsh responses if attacked again. Economic pressure via sanctions is intensifying as both sides signal readiness for further action.
Iran and the United States remain locked in a volatile standoff over a June ceasefire framework. Iran says it will reciprocate if the US returns to commitments under the MoU, while regional diplomacy at the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan seeks to de-escalate and reopen Hormuz. Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz continue, and allied diplomacy intensifies.
North Korea has commissioned the Kang Kon destroyer as part of an intensified naval buildup. Pyongyang frames the move as deterrence, while Washington and Seoul coordinate drills amid heightened tensions with the U.S. pressing allies to join in regional security efforts.
South Korea has refused US pressure to deploy combat forces to the Strait of Hormuz and has said it will not send troops into the US-Iran war. Seoul has told Washington it will consider limited, non‑combat contributions to protect shipping while negotiations continue over a $350bn investment package and alliance tensions persist.
Iran's war-related actions and Western sanctions have intensified, with Iranian missiles hitting targets near Jordan and U.S. retaliatory strikes in the Gulf. The U.S. and allies have broadened sanctions on Iran's aviation sector, labeling the move as a sweeping effort to isolate Tehran’s economy.
Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani chiefs of staff have met in Riyadh to begin turning the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement into operational cooperation after a recent surge in Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory and shipping. Officials have agreed to deepen military and intelligence ties and to integrate defensive capabilities under the pact.
BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi as Xi, Putin, Pezeshkian and others meet India for a pivotal summit. The talks focus on expanding trade in national currencies, energy cooperation, and reforms to global institutions, with tensions over the Ukraine war, Middle East conflicts, and US-dominated financial systems at the forefront.
Gulf states and Iran have been negotiating a temporary shipping framework for the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing war-related disruptions. Oman and Iran are coordinating on routes while Bahrain has declined participation. Oil-price volatility remains as markets watch for a regional security framework to emerge.
Houthi forces have seized islands and ports on Yemen's Red Sea coast, taken control of access to the Bab al‑Mandeb strait and stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. Saudi air defences have said they have intercepted incoming drones and missiles while shipping and global oil routes have been disrupted and prices have risen.
China seeks to mediate in the Iran–Houthis conflict, urging restraint while pushing for dialogue and a safe Red Sea corridor. Beijing stresses safeguarding Iran’s interests and regional stability ahead of Xi Jinping’s Washington visit, with analysts noting China’s leverage over energy flows.
Saudi Arabia faces mounting pressure as Houthi strikes test the Mecca defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan amid broader Iran-linked escalation. Officials say Riyadh is seeking air defences and secure oil routes, while allied partners weigh response. The crisis has strained regional security and threatened Gulf oil shipments.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington for a three-day state visit and a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump to press an extension of a trade truce, negotiate AI cooperation and raise cases of Americans held in China. Preparatory talks have produced limited deliverables; officials expect modest, targeted outcomes rather than broad breakthroughs.
US and Iranian officials have held three hours of indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. President Trump has described the session as "very productive" and said he faces a "big decision" about whether to pursue a deal or escalate military action. Gulf states are pressing for a route to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and plan further diplomacy.
The US State Department has approved visas for a scaled-down Iranian delegation, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to attend UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York. Washington has placed travel curbs and bans on luxury purchases for the delegation while denying visas to Palestinian Authority leaders, prompting a separate General Assembly vote allowing Mahmoud Abbas to speak virtually.
Israeli and Palestinian sources have reported two deadly incidents in the occupied West Bank on 20 September 2026: a shooter opened fire at people at a spring near the Neve Tzuf settlement, killing an Israeli settler who later died in hospital; and Israeli forces have shot dead a driver who allegedly attempted a ramming attack near the Ganim settlement. Security forces have arrested a suspected shooter at a Ramallah hospital and have imposed closures and raids across multiple West Bank villages.
Oil prices have fallen after data showed Asia is set to import its highest monthly crude volume since the US–Iran war began, while traders continue to monitor UN‑level diplomacy and regional tensions. Brent has slipped near $102 a barrel and U.S. crude is trading in the low $90s as markets weigh rising Asian flows against Middle East risks.
Iran warns it may retaliate against any US-led attacks while the US signals readiness for broader action. Trump has said options include striking Iran or pursuing a deal as Iran and its allies prepare for the UN General Assembly, heightening regional tensions and impacting oil shipments.
Iran’s delegation to the UN General Assembly has begun appearances in New York, led by Masoud Pezeshkian (per Iranian state media). Araghchi has arrived and is engaging with UN officials; Washington has imposed restrictions on the Iranian delegation, including visa constraints and a counterblockade of Iranian ports.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has delivered a defiant speech at the U.N. General Assembly, accusing Washington of terrorism and promising that Tehran will not bow to pressure. He says Iran is ready for dialogue but rejects the use of force, while stressing Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear programme and control over Hormuz. Talks with the U.S. envoy resume in New York, but no concessions have been announced.
Iran has presented a proposal at the UN sidelines to accelerate a potential deal, aiming to benefit the U.S. ahead of the midterms. Negotiations remain uncertain as Tehran maintains conditions, including ending the naval blockade and freeing assets. Disputes and skepticism persist about how much room for compromise exists within Iran and the U.S.
British Foreign Secretary has met Iran’s foreign minister on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, reaffirming Britain’s unwillingness to tolerate intimidation or hostile activity on UK soil. The talks cover the Middle East war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the detention of a British couple in Iran. Cyber threats linked to Iran’s proxies have been highlighted in Britain’s brief.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central bargaining chip as Washington and Tehran pursue a phased path to end the conflict. Officials say navigation could reopen within days if the US lifts sanctions and Iran grants access to frozen assets; negotiators warn the process will unfold in stages, with both sides wary of conceding leverage.
China has assured the United States that it will limit its assistance to Iran, while Trump and Xi discuss de-escalation. US ambassador David Perdue has stressed that direct or indirect help for Iran is unacceptable, and new negotiations are underway in New York and Washington. Analysts note ongoing tensions over oil, satellites, and sanctions amid a broader push to end the war.
Iran has proposed a seven-day cease-fire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as part of a broader deal to lift sanctions and resume diplomacy. President Trump has rejected the proposal and signaled readiness to resume airstrikes if talks fail. US officials say the US will not lift the naval blockade, while Iran warns of defending its security if attacked.
Mediators are pushing a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions. Iran has proposed a seven-day timeline tied to U.S. concessions, while the United States has signaled cautious engagement amid ongoing negotiations through Qatar and other mediators.
Iran has outlined a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if its conditions are met, while negotiations with the United States face hurdles. Tehran reiterates its rights and demands a negotiated solution, even as the U.S. signals cautious engagement. The international community watches for mediators to convey concrete positions.
Iran and the United States are in renewed talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran maintaining strict conditions and Washington signaling continued engagement. Trump has tied negotiations to broader regional dynamics as oil markets react.
Iran has presented a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Washington has rejected it and negotiations appear to resume amid mounting economic strain. U.S. and Iranian officials discuss a path to reopen the strait while sanctions and asset freezes remain a flashpoint.
Five British men have been detained near RAF Fairford after reports of three suspicious vans. Police have bail conditions on the suspects, and investigators are examining possible links to Iran and other foreign actors. Iran denies involvement as the investigation continues.
Iranian mediators in New York have presented a new proposal to the United States, with Qatari and Pakistani envoys shuttling ideas between Tehran and Washington. While Washington has not accepted the terms, negotiators describe discussions as positive and constructive, with a path to possible concessions on sanctions and the Strait of Hormuz.
Five London-based men in their mid-20s have been released on bail following a police probe into a suspected explosives plot near RAF Fairford, a base used by US forces to target Iran. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that the threat may have involved proxies or foreign-state actors. Iran denies involvement.
Iran has seen its currency hit new lows as US-Israeli actions tighten sanctions and blockades. Indirect talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz continue, while mediatior efforts and new sanctions aim to pressure Tehran. The government has unveiled plans to mitigate shortages and economic decline in the face of ongoing conflict.
The US Supreme Court has lifted a lower court ruling and allowed the deportations of immigrants to third countries to resume, while agreeing to hear the merits of the case in December. The decision follows ongoing debates over due process and safety for deportees, with critics urging Congress to tighten protections.
Iran has presented a response to U.S. proposals at a cabinet meeting after recent talks in New York. Officials say the two sides largely agree on steps needed, but dispute the sequencing. Washington has kept sanctions pressure, while Tehran seeks conditions tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Sanctions and economic strain intensify as the war persists.
Multiple suspects were detained near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses. Five British men were released on bail as the investigation unfolds; authorities say no explosives were found, but the probe is ongoing with strong indications of Iranian involvement.
Diplomatic talks aimed at ending the seven-month conflict have stalled. Iran and the United States remain at odds despite June MoU, with indirect talks at the UN sidelined by renewed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says negotiations are meaningless while Washington signals continued pressure. Qatar mediations persist as talks resume on a negotiable path forward.
The U.S. has told Iran’s UN delegation to depart New York ahead of scheduled talks. The move follows limited progress in weekend diplomacy as mediators seek a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions.