★ISRAEL 

1. Netanyahu Expands Settlements As Allies Recognize Palestinian State

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a plan to expand the Maale Adumim settlement in the West Bank, declaring “this place is ours,” while warning “there will never be a Palestinian state.” The move follows formal recognition of Palestine by Australia, Britain, Canada, and Portugal, a step praised by Palestinian officials and condemned by Israel’s U.S. ally.

2. Hamas Offers Truce Deal As Trump Prepares Gaza Plan

Hamas drafted a letter asking President Trump to guarantee a 60-day Gaza truce in exchange for releasing half of 48 hostages, Fox News reported. The letter, held by mediator Qatar, comes as Hamas released a video of hostage Alon Ohel and families protested outside Netanyahu’s home. On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Hamas released a video showing Israeli hostage Alon Ohad, held in Gaza for 717 days. His family reported that he appears thin, fearful, and is losing sight in his right eye, demanding an eye examination and treatment as a precondition for further negotiations or aid.

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★SYRIA

3. Syrian Leader Declares Truce Goal While Avoiding War With Israel

Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa told the Concordia Summit in New York that Damascus seeks to avoid war despite Israeli attacks and occupation of the Golan Heights, stressing negotiations could progress if Israel commits to a truce; he added talks aim first at a 1974 security agreement before addressing broader issues, while also urging sanctions relief and criticizing delays in SDF negotiations.

4. Syria Seizes 1 Million Captagon Pills Bound for Saudi Arabia

Syrian anti-narcotics forces in Daraa intercepted 1 million Captagon pills hidden in soft drink containers, preventing smuggling to Saudi Arabia via the Nassib border crossing. The driver was arrested, and the shipment was confiscated. Separately, authorities in Aleppo dismantled a local trafficking network, seizing around 100,000 pills intended for street distribution.

5. Washington Offers $10 Million Reward Targeting Hezbollah Financier Ali Qasir

The U.S. Rewards for Justice program offered $10 million for information on Lebanese businessman Ali Qasir, designated as facilitating Hezbollah and Iran’s Quds Force financial operations through the Talaqi Group and Hoqoul offshore company; Washington said Qasir manages oil shipments to Syria, steel sales, and payments for cargo networks on behalf of Hezbollah, linking him to sanctioned financier Muhammad Qasir, his uncle.

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★IRAN

6. Iran Russia Agreement Advances On Eight Nuclear Power Plants

Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said Tehran and Moscow will sign an agreement to build eight new nuclear plants, including four in Bushehr, after concluding negotiations and site preparations, though reports differ on whether a binding deal is finalized. Eslami is in Moscow for Atomic Energy Week.

7. US Sanctions Slash Iran’s Gas Exports to Iraq by 40%

Iran’s gas exports to Iraq fell 40% between April and August 2025 after Washington revoked sanction waivers, cutting trade from $1.6 billion to $950 million year-on-year. Iraq, still reliant on imports despite vast reserves, seeks alternatives like Turkmen gas, but US restrictions complicate supply, while rising tariffs and domestic production policies further challenge Iranian exporters.

8. US Restricts Iranian Delegation Movement During UN Assembly

The U.S. State Department announced September 22 it is limiting the movement of Iran’s UN General Assembly delegation, citing prevention of “lavish shopping” and restricting promotion of Tehran’s “terrorist agenda.” The order applies to President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, limiting them to UN transit areas in New York. Washington said the move supports the Iranian people while ensuring U.S. security.

9. Europe Presses Iran As Snapback Sanctions Deadline Approaches

European diplomats said September 22 that Iran failed to meet conditions to avert UN snapback sanctions, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi set to meet EU counterparts Tuesday. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi expressed hope that cooperation would survive sanctions, citing recent talks with Emmanuel Macron. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said time is nearly gone for a deal. Israel warned Tehran to change course.

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★TURKIYE

10. Türkiye Removes US Tariffs Ahead of Erdoğan-Trump Meeting

Türkiye lifted tariffs on several American products, including cars, fruit, rice, tobacco, alcohol, and chemicals, originally imposed in 2018 in response to US tariffs. Turkish President Erdogan plans to purchase hundreds of Boeing airliners and Lockheed Martin fighter jets, while seeking over $10 billion in local production deals. The deals will be discussed during Erdogan’s September 25 White House meeting with Trump, including F-16 and F-35 negotiations.

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★YEMEN

11. Ship Reports Explosions East of Aden

The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that a vessel 120 miles east of Aden, Yemen, experienced impacts and nearby explosions. The crew is safe, and the ship continues to its next port. Authorities are investigating, and ships in the area are advised to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.

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★IRAQ

12. Iraq’s State Of Law Bloc Rejects Al-Sudani Second Term

State of Law coalition spokesperson Aqeel Al-Fatlawi said his bloc opposes Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s second term, citing lack of partnership, budget failures, and a controversial Syria meeting.

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★ Disclaimer: The Early Phoenix is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.