★ GULF STATES
Houthis Target Riyadh for 1st Time in Renewed Yemen Fighting
Yemen’s Houthis claimed attacks on sensitive sites in Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu, after flames and heavy smoke appeared near Riyadh airport. Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted a missile targeting the capital and thwarted attacks elsewhere. Türkiye offered potential military support under its defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Houthis Declare “Blockade For Blockade” Against Saudi Arabia
Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat said the group would escalate against Saudi Arabia under a “blockade for blockade” policy, demanding reopened airports and ports, restored resources, and compensation. He said Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb shipping would remain safe except for Saudi vessels, while rejecting accusations of attacks on Mecca.
US Approves Potential $24.3 Billion F-35 Sale To Saudi Arabia
The U.S. State Department approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, including 49 engines, equipment, and support. The deal still requires congressional approval and could test Washington’s commitment to preserving Israel’s military edge. Riyadh has sought the aircraft to modernize its forces and counter regional threats, particularly Iran.
Kuwait Seizes 700,000 Captagon Pills After Iraq Coordination
Kuwaiti authorities seized about 700,000 Captagon pills following security coordination with Iraq. Two suspects, an Iraqi national and an illegal resident, were arrested in Kabd and admitted the drugs were intended for trafficking. The suspects were referred to authorities for legal action.
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★ IRAN
Iranian Foreign Minister Heads To New York For UN Talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Tehran for New York via Doha to attend UN General Assembly meetings. Donald Trump said he remains open to meeting President Masoud Pezeshkian while warning Iran could face destruction without an agreement. Pezeshkian said Tehran remains open to negotiations if Washington fulfills its commitments, while Iranian officials reiterated conditions for reopening Hormuz and resuming talks. Tehran also warned it had received information suggesting Washington was preparing to resume military operations.
Iran Claims Drone Shootdown Over Hormuz, Evidence Remains Unverified
Iran’s military claimed it destroyed an Orbiter reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz on September 20. The military said the drone was intercepted at 6:30 p.m. local time using domestically produced air-defense systems. No U.S., Israeli, or CENTCOM confirmation of an Orbiter loss had emerged at the time of reporting.
IRGC Says Most U.S. Bases Around Iran Disabled
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohabbi said most U.S. bases surrounding Iran had been disabled by Iranian missile and drone attacks, forcing Washington to relocate personnel and equipment farther away. He warned that renewed attacks would involve new weapons and targets, while denying any IRGC contact with the United States or involvement in diplomacy.
Iran GDP Contracts More Than Ten Percent During War
Iran’s GDP contracted 10.1% year-on-year in the first Persian-calendar quarter, from late March to late June, during Israeli and U.S. strikes, according to official statistics. The figure includes the oil sector, which remains central to Iran’s economy through hydrocarbon exports.
Turkiye Revokes Iran’s Mellat Bank Istanbul Operating License
Turkiye’s banking watchdog revoked Iranian lender Bank Mellat’s Istanbul branch operating license under banking law, citing potential risks to depositors or financial stability. The decision comes as Washington pressures countries to tighten economic measures against Tehran, after the U.S. sanctioned Turkish financial entities and Turkiye halted Mahan Air flights following discussions over Iran-related restrictions.
Iran Struggles To Bypass U.S. Blockade, Around Strait
Iran is struggling to replace trade routes disrupted by the U.S. blockade around Hormuz, with hundreds of trucks reportedly delayed at borders and alternative routes facing higher costs and limited capacity. Shipping containers from China can cost about $12,000 by land versus $3,000 by sea, while food inflation reached 128% in August, according to Iranian data cited by the Wall Street Journal.
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★ YEMEN
Yemeni Forces Destroy Five Houthi Vehicles Near Bab al-Mandeb
Yemeni government forces destroyed five Houthi military vehicles in Kahboub near Bab al-Mandeb, killing all personnel aboard, the Southern Giants Brigades said. Targets included a field commander’s vehicle, an anti-aircraft vehicle carrying a 23mm weapon, and three vehicles transporting fighters and reinforcements. Fighting has intensified as Houthis deploy reinforcements and seek strategic positions overlooking the maritime passage.
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★ IRAQ
Iraqi Kurdistan Completes Unification Of Kurdish Peshmerga Forces
Iraqi Kurdistan is set to formally announce Monday the completion of efforts to unify all Peshmerga forces under the regional Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. The process began in 2016 and faced political challenges, with Kurdish authorities citing U.S. support and efforts by regional President Nechirvan Barzani. The announcement coincides with the fourth anniversary of a U.S.-Kurdish defense memorandum supporting unification.
U.S. Imports Of Iraqi Oil Fall To Zero For One Week
U.S. crude oil imports from Iraq fell to zero during the week ending September 11, according to the Energy Information Administration. Iraqi shipments fluctuated sharply in recent weeks, reaching 6,000 barrels per day in mid-August, then zero, 38,000, and 46,000 barrels per day before stopping again. Canada remained the largest supplier, providing 4.35 million barrels per day.
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★ LEBANON
IDF Strikes Hezbollah Sites After Bomb Wounds Two Soldiers
Two Israeli soldiers were lightly wounded by a Hezbollah roadside bomb in southern Lebanon, prompting Israeli strikes on Hezbollah sites, the IDF said. The incident followed a standoff between Israeli and Lebanese troops near Deir Mimas. UNIFIL warned that its planned withdrawal by year-end could complicate security and humanitarian operations as Lebanese forces prepare to assume greater responsibilities.
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★ Disclaimer: This publication 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.
