★ IRAN
Trump Rejects Iranian Proposal To Reopen Hormuz And End Fighting
US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end regional fighting within seven days. Iran said the plan was transmitted through Qatari mediators and could launch wider talks. Trump said Tehran urgently sought reopening because the blockade had severely damaged its economy.
Araghchi Says Iran Prepared For Renewed War With United States
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was fully prepared for renewed war with the United States but remained open to diplomacy. He said Iran’s Hormuz proposal would reopen the strait after agreed U.S. steps, followed by talks on a final agreement. Araghchi also said Iran could discuss its 60%-enriched uranium stockpile if Washington showed goodwill.
Iran Says It Seized U.S. Autonomous Submarine In Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy said Sunday it seized a U.S. Remus 600 autonomous submarine operating in the Strait of Hormuz. The Guard said the vessel was conducting espionage missions and was intercepted using intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities. Iranian specialists are examining the submarine to recover stored data, it said. On September 8, Iran reported seizing another unmanned submarine, while the U.S. military said one of its maritime drones had malfunctioned without confirming its capture.
Eight US Marines Injured In Iranian Missile Attack Near Hormuz
Eight US Marines were injured when an Iranian anti-ship cruise missile struck their vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on September 14, NBC reported, citing US officials. The injuries were non-life-threatening and involved smoke inhalation and concussion symptoms. All eight returned to duty shortly after the attack, while the vessel was not identified.
Iranian Forces Targeted 19 Ships In Strait Of Hormuz
Iranian forces targeted 19 vessels described as “violators” in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and Saturday, IRGC-linked Fars reported. Seven vessels were targeted on Saturday after 12 on Friday. Fars also reported cruise missiles and attack drones launched toward commercial vessels south of the strait. The U.S. has not responded.
Oman Flight Suspension Halts Iran Mobile Phone Imports
Oman’s flight suspension has effectively halted mobile phone shipments to Iran, disrupting importers reliant on air freight. More than 90% of Iran’s mobile phones are imported by air, industry representative Abdolmahdi Asadi told ILNA. Phones previously traveled from Dubai through Oman to Iran, but transportation problems have persisted for about a week.
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★ GULF STATES
Saudi Coalition Intercepts Two Missiles And Two Drones Targeting Kingdom
The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by Houthis toward Saudi Arabia. The missiles were headed for Khamis Mushait, while the drones targeted Riyadh. Saudi Arabia also reviewed security threats with Pakistan and Turkey, following their joint defense agreement signed last month.
Saudi Foreign Minister Arrives In Washington For Rubio Talks
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and regional developments. The visit comes amid escalating Saudi-Houthi hostilities.
Netanyahu Secretly Meets UAE President During Abu Dhabi Visit
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly flew to Abu Dhabi on Monday and met UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed, according to Israeli and Reuters sources. Netanyahu reportedly spent four hours in the UAE. The visit comes amid controversy over an alleged 2023 warning from bin Zayed about a planned Hamas attack, which Netanyahu has denied.
Middle East Oil Exports Reach Highest Level Since War Began
Middle East crude exports rose to 12.8 million barrels per day in September, the highest since the Iran war began in February, Reuters reported, citing Kpler. Hormuz exports reached 7.4 million bpd, while Saudi exports climbed to 5.4 million bpd from 2.446 million in August. Regional exports remained 6 million bpd below February levels.
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★ YEMEN
Saudi Airstrike In Taiz Kills Seven, Wounds Forty
A Saudi airstrike on a central marketplace in Taiz killed seven people and wounded 40, Houthi media reported. The strike came as fighting intensified across Yemen, with the Houthis claiming 27 Saudi airstrikes on several provinces.
Yemeni Forces Intensify Strikes On Houthis, Report Iranian Expert Deaths
Yemeni government forces intensified air and ground strikes against Houthi positions, reinforcements and weapons depots across Taiz and other fronts. The military said 756 operations over 72 hours killed or wounded 2,316 Houthi fighters and destroyed military equipment and missile launchers. It also reported killing four Iranian drone and missile experts in Taiz, while monitoring data cited 422 Houthi funerals this month.
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★ IRAQ
Three Drones Attack Camp In Iraq’s Kurdistan Region
Three drones attacked a camp in Koya, Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, between 1:40 a.m. and 2:10 a.m. Monday, Rudaw reported, citing the region’s security agency. The attack caused no casualties, according to the report.
Iran-Backed Factions Challenge Iraq’s Flight Ban On Iran
Iran-aligned Iraqi factions urged protests and sit-ins at airports to pressure Baghdad into resuming flights to Iran. Kataib Hezbollah called for breaking the “siege” on Iran, while Nujaba leader Akram al-Kaabi threatened airport sit-ins. Baghdad is seeking US exemptions for medical, educational and religious travel while tightening airport security.
Iraq Reaches U.S. Deal To Resume Cash Dollar Shipments
Iraq reached an understanding with the United States to resume cash dollar shipments, with a new delivery expected within days. Government spokesman Haider Al-Aboudi said the agreement followed improved oversight of dollar distribution, reduced misuse of foreign currency, and expanded electronic payments. Washington had suspended a $500 million shipment in April.
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★ LEBANON
Israeli Forces Strike Multiple Areas Across Southern Lebanon
Israeli forces struck multiple areas across southern Lebanon on Sunday with artillery, airstrikes and Apache helicopter attacks, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. Strikes hit Arnon, Kfar Tebnit, Bani Hayyan, Baraachit, Mifdoun, Kharayeb, Khiam and Mais al-Jabal. Several buildings and homes were damaged, but no casualties were reported.
Lebanon Economy Faces 5% Contraction As Costs Rise
Lebanon’s economy is projected to contract 5% in 2026, according to the EBRD, amid conflict, rising energy and wheat costs, and banking-sector strains. The World Bank forecasts a deeper 6.4% contraction. Inflation reached 16.66% in August, while 2026 grain output is estimated at 160,000 tons against 1.3 million tons of annual needs.
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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.
