🧭 Iran: diplomatic contacts amid military and economic pressure: President Trump reported that a U.S. delegation including Witkoff and Kushner held three-hour talks with Iranian officials at the UN General Assembly. He described the meeting as “very good and very productive” and said another was planned in the “very near future”. Trump also expressed openness to meeting President Pezeshkian. CNN reported that no presidential meeting had been scheduled; Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Iran’s Supreme Leader remains its ultimate decision-maker.
The substance of a possible agreement remains disputed. Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official saying Tehran’s delegation had full negotiating authority and had transmitted a proposal through intermediaries on September 16 to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington eased military pressure and lifted sanctions. An official cited by Kyodo said the initiative had Supreme Leader and National Security Council approval, while ruling out a presidential meeting. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency subsequently reported Iranian denials, calling the accounts “inaccurate” and “baseless”. Fars described the reported conditions as reduced military pressure and lifted port blockades. The initial reports briefly pushed oil prices lower.
Pakistani Interior Ministry sources told Al Jazeera that Minister Mohsin Naqvi was heading to Tehran for mediation efforts. Bloomberg reported that Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, coordinated appeals for restraint ahead of a Tuesday meeting with Trump, seeking an end to a war that has disrupted trade and damaged their economies.
🛡️ Saudi Arabia and Yemen: canceled U.S. strikes and British support: The New York Times reported that Trump called off prepared strikes against the Houthis after initially ordering preparations at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s request. Target lists had been approved and bombs were being loaded when he reversed the decision by Sunday. Most of his inner circle reportedly opposed or questioned involvement in Saudi Arabia’s fight, particularly given the strain of the Iran war.
Trump said the Houthis had agreed not to fight the United States. Reuters also reported that he discussed Houthi advances around Bab al-Mandab with Rashad al-Alimi, president of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, but made no direct military commitment after al-Alimi requested support. Rubio nevertheless described the conflict as dangerous, affirmed U.S. commitments under its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and said Washington would stand with Riyadh if necessary while seeking a resolution.
Britain announced a limited military contribution following a Saudi request. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK would provide “defensive air-to-air refuelling” after Houthi drone and missile attacks. The BBC reported that one RAF Voyager based in Cyprus was expected to begin operating in the coming days, with the deployment lasting weeks. Burnham framed the mission as protecting regional stability and British interests. Bloomberg had reported that London was also expected to encourage other countries to provide similar support.
🏛️ UN remarks: Netanyahu said his UN speech would address Mamdani. Trump’s planned remarks would compare September 11 with October 7 and declare that the United States would, if necessary, use military force to prevent threats from gaining a foothold anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.
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