COMBATE Digest - combate-20260912-1200Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

UPDATE: Iran-Oman Hormuz Accord Set for Monday Signing

President Pezeshkian told Indian media that an agreement between Iran and Oman on a joint route through the Strait of Hormuz will be signed Monday in the presence of the Arab Gulf states' foreign ministers and then notified to the International Maritime Organization (presstv). Pezeshkian said the US and Israel failed to reach any of their war aims and turned to a naval blockade, insisting "for the strait to reopen, America must stop the siege and aggression" (mehrnews, seday_teh). Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei told Al-Mayadeen that Iran did not target regional countries but US bases that were sources of aggression, and called Monday's Oman meeting "a fundamental step toward guaranteeing stability and security" in the Gulf region (irna_1313). Parliament National Security Commission chief Ebrahim Azizi said Tehran will not negotiate with Washington until Iran's conditions are accepted (sputnikvietnam_rss, sputnikbrasil_rss). The FT reported the US has instructed tankers using the strait to sail only in designated time windows to receive military protection after an increase in Iranian attacks on ships at night, with protection cut in early September to two daily slots (tabzlive).

Iran and UAE Leaders Meet for First Time Since Hormuz Tensions

Pezeshkian met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohammed Al Nahyan on the BRICS sidelines (farsna, farsna, mehrnews) — the first meeting between the countries' leaders since tensions flared in the Strait of Hormuz, which teleSUR framed as signaling a diplomatic shift toward de-escalation, regional economic cooperation and multilateral dialogue (yt_telesurenglish).

IEA Puts Saudi Supply at 30-Year Low; Iraq's Resistance Denies Pipeline Attack

The International Energy Agency reported Saudi crude supply fell to 6 million barrels per day in August — the lowest in more than three decades (mehrnews). Iraq's Islamic Resistance denied the accusation it struck Saudi vital installations, calling it "an honor we do not claim," congratulating Yemen's battlefield victories and criticizing Baghdad for rushing to accept the claims without evidence (mehrnews, irna_1313). Iraq's premier ordered an immediate investigation into the attacks Riyadh says were launched from Iraqi soil (mehrnews), while Qatar and the GCC secretary general condemned the strike on the East-West pipeline "in the strongest terms" (irna_1313). TankerTrackers reported Saudi crude exports have risen in recent weeks, with some cargoes transiting Hormuz under CENTCOM protection (sepahcybery).

Iraq Shuts, Then Briefly Reopens, Border Crossings With Iran

Iraq closed the Shalamcheh and Chazabeh crossings in Khuzestan from dawn until further notice, halting all passenger and cargo movement and stranding travelers (farsna, mehrnews). Iraq's prime minister later ordered both reopened temporarily, giving passengers two hours to cross before they shut again around 14:30 (iribnews, akhbarefori). Chazabe was reopened for returning Iraqi nationals, though Khuzestan authorities still asked people to avoid both crossings (farsna); the Mehran crossing stayed open with 17,000 crossings in the past day (mehrnews).

Yemen: Ansar Allah Declares Bab el-Mandeb Shipping Normal

Ansar Allah political bureau member Hizam al-Assad said ships are passing through Bab el-Mandeb as normal and confirmed the movement completed its operation in western Yemen to control territories and districts adjacent to the strait (tass_rss). Sanaa's Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia must understand, based on recent events, that Yemen is freed from its domination, adding the path of peace and halting aggression is cheaper for Riyadh (sepahcybery). Al-Assad dismissed Trump's claim that the movement had called him pleading for non-intervention as lies, summing up Trump in a proverb: "kiss the hand you cannot break and pray for it to break" (akhbarefori). Yemen's armed forces said they expelled Saudi troops from six localities as Riyadh seeks direct US backing to extend the war nationwide (yt_almayadeenespanol); China told an emergency UN Security Council meeting it is concerned by the escalation and urged an early ceasefire and dialogue (yt_cgtnespanol).

Israel Levels Hezbollah Tunnels; Lebanon's Aoun Visits Nabatiyeh

The Israeli army said it destroyed Hezbollah's underground infrastructure on the Ali Taher ridge, completing the consolidation of a "security zone," with the blasts registering a 4.1-magnitude seismic event; Israeli forces will remain to prevent Hezbollah rebuilding (yt_france24es). Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made an unannounced visit to Nabatiyeh with the army commander and security chiefs after the Israeli escalation, saying no direct negotiations with Israel are currently underway and Lebanon seeks full implementation of the ceasefire accord, with Israeli withdrawal a fixed principle (sputnikarabic_rss, mehrnews, irna_1313). Aoun asked publicly: "Does Israel want peace or war? If it wants war, that must be clearly announced" (sepahnewsir403).

Gaza Death Toll Hits 73,783

Gaza's Health Ministry said 73,783 people have been killed and 174,738 wounded since the war began on October 7, 2023 (mehrnews). Israeli forces continued ceasefire violations across the strip Saturday with artillery fire and shooting from military vehicles, gunboats and helicopters (irna_1313); settler and occupation attacks in the West Bank wounded Palestinians and damaged property Friday (mehrnews).

Iran Kills Four in Saravan Raid; Three Guards Reported Dead

The IRGC Quds headquarters said a professional "terrorist team" planning an assassination was identified through public tips and intelligence and struck at dawn in a joint IRGC-intelligence-police operation, killing four and seizing weapons, ammunition and explosives (farsna, mehrnews, sepahnewsir403). Three IRGC members were killed in the operation, with the attackers' toll possibly rising (akhbarefori). The clashes pitted security forces against the People's Fighters Front, formerly Jaysh al-Adl, after a raid on a safe house (tabzlive); the Halvash outlet, citing local sources, reported that after roughly eight hours the besieged gunmen broke out with the arrival of another armed group (gordanesam313).

🌍 EAST ASIA

BRICS Summit Opens With Xi Mediation Offer and Anti-War Declaration

Xi Jinping told the New Delhi summit the war in the Middle East and Gulf region has inflicted heavy losses on its peoples and military conflict serves no one's interest, saying China is ready to help reduce tensions and work with BRICS partners for peace — and announcing China will take the rotating BRICS chairmanship in 2027 (mehrnews). Members agreed the summit's joint declaration, which four sources told Reuters will condemn unilateral war by any country without naming a specific one, pending formal adoption by leaders (mehrnews). Putin said the unipolar system that served a narrow group of states belongs to the past, urging broader participation in global governance as a multipolar order forms (mehrnews); Modi said BRICS has carved out a special identity over two decades and members look to the future by consensus (snninternational). Putin, Xi and Modi were pictured hand in hand and smiling in the summit's signature image (rt_spanish_rss).

BRICS Financial Track: National Currencies and NDB Expansion

Indonesia's central bank governor Destry Damayanti urged BRICS states to actively expand local-currency settlement and cross-border payments to shield economies from geopolitical risk (sputnikglobe_rss). Russia's RDIF and BRICS Pay India agreed to develop cross-border payment services and pilot projects in India (rt_india_rss). Araghchi said Iran is working to remove obstacles to joining the BRICS New Development Bank, after a Business Council session spotlighted the use of national currencies (sputnikglobe_rss, mehrnews). NDB president Dilma Rousseff told Putin Russia's participation is crucial for strengthening the Global South (sputnikbrasil_rss).

Pezeshkian: Region Needs No "Gendarme"

Pezeshkian said the US has no business playing "regional gendarme," arguing Gulf security must be guaranteed by the region's principal actors (rt_french_rss). He told the summit a "serious operative" fight against unilateral sanctions is a BRICS priority and that non-use of any country's territory to threaten or attack its neighbors is an unquestionable principle (rt_spanish_rss), adding that BRICS members are obliged to resist the normalization of attacks on non-military infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities (farsna). Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim said Kuala Lumpur is ready to turn friendship with Tehran into "meaningful and sustainable" cooperation (irna_1313).

North Korea Launches Missiles; IAEA Flags New Yongbyon Enrichment Site

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea from the Wonsan area at 05:20, one day after South Korea-US-Japan trilateral exercises ended; the projectiles flew about 250 km and US Indo-Pacific Command assessed no immediate threat to US personnel or territory (sputnikserbia_rss, mehrnews, me_observer_TG). The IAEA said North Korea has built a new uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon with capacity for up to 28 centrifuge cascades, tracked via satellite imagery and open sources since no inspectors have been present since 2009 (farsna).

Myanmar: Arakan Army Deals Heavy Losses Near Sittwe

The AA rebel group inflicted large casualties on advancing Tatmadaw troops in the Sittwe and Ponnagyun area, with reports of more than 100 junma troops killed since Operation 4926 began; despite a large junta drone campaign, the rebels appear to be holding ground (tabzlive).

🌍 EUROPE

Russia Strikes Ukrainian Steel Plants Supplying the Military

Russian forces launched a massive overnight strike with precision air, ground and naval weapons plus combat drones, hitting metallurgical enterprises producing military-use goods in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih and Kiev, and port infrastructure and a key transport node in the Odesa region (lantidiplomatico, sputnikglobe_rss). The Defense Ministry said the destroyed targets included the Interpipe Stal plant in the Dnepropetrovsk region, Ukraine's largest supplier of military steel products (sputnikarabic_rss). The Tsentr group liberated the settlement of Veseloye in the Donetsk People's Republic (sputnikvietnam_rss). Russian air defense downed 670 Ukrainian drones and seven glide bombs in 24 hours (sputnikbrasil_rss), and a Western military magazine reported Ukrainian F-16 pilots increasingly rely on gun armament amid an acute air-to-air missile shortage (sputnikbrasil_rss). Zelensky told Deutsche Welle he would attend December's G20 in Miami and meet Putin there: "If Putin is present, I will definitely take part. We must meet, talk and decide" (farsna).

Putin Scorches Europe's Energy Policy as Gas Nears $1,000

Putin sharply criticized Europe's energy policy, recalling Russia once supplied gas at roughly $150-180 per 1,000 cubic meters while European leaders stubbornly insisted on exchange-based pricing — with prices now hitting $1,000 (sputnikindia_rss). Aide Ushakov said Moscow is working with Washington and US representatives have shown a constructive, good-faith attitude (sputnikvietnam_rss); Peskov said restoring trade and economic cooperation would benefit both countries but no joint mechanisms currently exist (sputnikserbia_rss); envoy Polyansky said the West is unprepared to discuss the European security crisis and its root causes, including NATO expansion (sputnikglobe_rss). The Daily Mail reported Russia's nuclear warhead stockpile has reached its highest level in nine years (irna_1313).

Hungary Demands EU Compensation for Dropping Russian Energy

Prime Minister Péter Magyar said Hungary will push for EU compensation for member states over renouncing Russian energy deliveries, saying national budgets cannot bear the financial burden caused by fuel shortages from the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts (rtde_live_rss).

Germany: AfD Files Criminal Complaint Against Merz

The AfD filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Merz over his statement that the party's "remigration" plans amount to "ethnic cleansing" (sputnikserbia_rss). Union caucus chief Thorsten Frei said he does not rule out federal coercive measures against an AfD-governed state as a last resort to protect the rule of law (rtde_live_rss).

France: Yellow Vest Revival Calls Grow Over Fuel Prices

Sharp fuel price increases and cost-of-living pressure have generated widespread social media calls to revive the Yellow Vest movement, with nationwide protests planned against fuel and living costs (mehrnews, irna_1313). Separately, Politico reported Commission President von der Leyen was accused of abuse of power by a liberal MEP for backing a €6.5 billion Airbus-Leonardo-Thales space joint venture (irna_1313).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

Trump: Iran War to End "Very Soon," After Midterms

Trump said he expects the war with Iran to end "very soon," adding oil will come "tumbling down" when it does (tass_rss). Asked on Fox News, he said "the Iran war will end after the midterms," and when Ingraham noted that presumed a Republican win, replied: "A lot of people think if we lose, I'll just be more angry and I'll just take care of business... Either way they lose" (tabzlive, mehrnews). Trump also said he would not oppose Chinese automakers opening factories in the United States despite opposition from Congress and US auto companies (sputnikserbia_rss).

US Diesel Hits Record $6 a Gallon

The average US diesel retail price broke $6 per gallon to hit a record $6.0556, up from $3.7053 a year earlier, with California at $7.98; the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Iran war have cut global diesel supply by about 8%, and analysts say refiners cannot produce more (1087968996).

CIA Papers Reveal 1998 bin Laden Warnings to Clinton

A newly declassified CIA document shows the agency warned President Clinton in December 1998 that Osama bin Laden and associates were preparing attacks inside the United States, including the possible hijacking of a passenger airliner (sputnikarabic_rss).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

Venezuela's First Lady Seeks Release From US Detention

The defense team for Maduro and his wife asked a New York court to grant temporary release of First Lady Cilia Flores on health grounds, citing severe arrhythmia, tachycardia and symptoms consistent with coronary ischemia, and saying the Brooklyn detention center lacks the conditions to treat her; Maduro and Flores were seized in a US raid on Venezuela on January 3, 2026, and the defense also moved to dismiss the case on head-of-state immunity grounds (1087968996).

Peru Joins US "Shield of the Americas," Risking China Ties

Peru's entry into the regional security coalition formalizes a new stage of security cooperation with the US, but experts say the government of President Keiko Fujimori risks its commercial relationship with China — its main trade partner and investor (sputnikmundo_rss).

Regional Briefs

Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in Chile on the anniversary of the 1973 coup, as President Kast held no official commemoration (rt_spanish_rss). Argentina's monthly inflation fell to 1.7% in August, its lowest in 14 months, though incomes continue to trail the cost of living (sputnikmundo_rss). A poll put Lula at 39% against Flávio Bolsonaro's 35% for Brazil's presidential race (irna_1313), and 81% of Bolivians want the state of exception extended (sputnikmundo_rss).

🌍 AFRICA

Niger Names New Military Chiefs

President Tiani appointed General Mamansani Kiao as chief of the defense staff and General Abdourahamane Abou Zataka as army chief, with two other officers promoted as deputies (rt_french_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"By the way, the Iran war will end after the midterms." — Donald Trump, US President, to Fox News (tabzlive)

"We do not need a regional gendarme." — Massoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran (rt_french_rss)

"We seek a world in which power does not replace law, sanctions do not replace cooperation, war does not replace dialogue, and monopoly does not replace participation." — Massoud Pezeshkian, at the BRICS leaders' retreat (mehrnews)

"Trump, who as usual has resorted to lies, can be summed up in this proverb: kiss the hand you cannot break, and pray for it to break." — Hizam al-Assad, Ansar Allah political bureau member (akhbarefori)

"If Putin is present, I will definitely take part. We must meet, talk and decide." — Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, on a possible G20 meeting (farsna)