🛰️ Iran: reconstruction at Taleghan 2 and maritime enforcement: The Institute for Science and International Security reported rapid reconstruction of Taleghan 2 at the Parchin military complex, approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Tehran, citing September 13 Vantor Technologies satellite imagery. Israel struck the facility in October 2024 following an Iranian missile attack earlier that month, and again in March during the recent war after the IDF said Iran had begun restoring it.
The IDF has associated the site with advanced explosives development and sensitive experiments under the AMAD Project, Iran’s alleged secret nuclear weapons program. Western intelligence has suggested that tests relevant to nuclear bomb detonations took place there more than two decades ago.
According to the institute, June 2026 repairs included concrete caps over holes caused by Israeli bunker-buster weapons. A tarp now conceals reconstruction beneath it, while construction vehicles and cranes are active across the site. The report also identifies new concrete reinforcement on the facility’s right side intended to provide additional protection against aerial attack.
The IRGC Navy said the Togo-flagged tanker Trend was hit, caught fire and stopped while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. It threatened to destroy vessels transiting without authorization. In the Arabian Sea, USS Rafael Peralta is enforcing the U.S. blockade against Iran; as of September 15, U.S. forces had redirected 103 commercial vessels to ensure compliance.
⚓ Yemen and Saudi Arabia: shipping assurances and requests for support: Reuters reported that senior U.S. officials met Houthi representatives in Oman over the weekend after the group seized a strategic stretch of Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The Houthis have not confirmed the meeting, which reportedly included sanctioned official Mohammad Abdulsalam and Abdelmalik al-Ajri.
According to Reuters, the representatives said they would not attack American vessels, Israeli ships or commercial vessels, leaving only Saudi vessels as targets. That differs from their stated policy since the May 2025 ceasefire, which excluded the U.S. while continuing attacks on Israeli-linked shipping.
Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors amid continued Houthi attacks and has requested air-defense support from the UK, France, Pakistan and Egypt, AP reported. Reuters separately reported that Riyadh asked China to press Iran privately to restrain the Houthis following their seizure of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Three Iranian sources told Reuters that Beijing conveyed the request, going beyond its public calls for restraint. Iran responded that regional stability required an end to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. China issued no threats and did not use its economic influence over Tehran as leverage, according to the report. The U.S. raised its Saudi Arabia travel advisory to Level 3, advising citizens to reconsider travel because of the conflict involving Yemen.
✈️ Saudi F-35 sale and Israel’s requests: The U.S. State Department announced a proposed sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia worth up to $24.3 billion, the kingdom’s first purchase of the aircraft, and notified Congress. It described the sale as essential to improving the security of a major non-NATO ally. Walla, which valued the planned deal at $25 billion, reported that Washington informed Israel. Israeli officials said they would seek compensation through advanced weapons, classified defense projects, Arrow 4 and Arrow 5 cooperation, space-based weapons and other capabilities.
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