COMBATE Digest - combate-20260921-0000Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

IRGC-Linked Channel Claims Ballistic Missile Strike on Mossad-Linked Site in Erbil

The Sam Battalion channel, linked to the IRGC, reported that at 17:30 Iran time the IRGC Aerospace Force together with the Guards' intelligence organization fired five ballistic missiles at a Mossad building near Erbil airport, saying a meeting was under way attended by the deputy operations chief of the Kurdish Komleh party, the head of Mossad's Iran desk and operational officers of both organizations (gordanesam313). Reports from Erbil described an explosion at the military section of the airport with black smoke rising (mahdaviatakhbar), while Iranian outlets cited reports of a drone strike near the airport (mehrnews); Russian-language media said the blast came from a ballistic missile (parstodayrussian), and Kurdish media likewise pointed to a missile rather than a drone (sepah_pasdaran). The Kurdistan region's counterterrorism service said the explosions were caused by military exercises and ongoing security activity (mehrnews).

Trump Says "Very Big Things" Coming on Iran

Media reported that Trump stands before a decision on Iran and has announced "very big events" in the near future, with concrete steps remaining open (rtde_live_rss). Trump told Fox News the options on the table are wiping Iran out, letting it rot economically, or reaching a deal, and said he would welcome a meeting with President Pezeshkian (sputnikbrasil_rss, mehrnews).

Iran's Top Military Command Warns of Unlimited "Painful" Retaliation

The Khatam al-Anbiya joint headquarters warned that Iran will strike all US bases in the Middle East if Washington aggresses against the country again, describing the response as sustained attacks without any limitations, and warned neighboring states that siding with Washington would make them accomplices (sputnikmundo_rss, presstv, lantidiplomatico, teleSUREng). Security chief Mohsen Rezaei said Iran would attack American companies — citing US drilling firms operating nearby — and target the ships of any neighbor that joins a US economic blockade (sepahcybery).

Air Defenses Down Orbiter UAV Over Strait of Hormuz

At 18:30 Iran time, army air defense units destroyed an advanced Orbiter reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz using indigenous systems within the country's integrated air defense network (irna_1313, iribnews, akhbarefori). Photos of the wreckage were published (farsna); Iranian channels noted the Orbiter is not operated by the United States and said the downed drone was in the UAE's possession (sepah_pasdaran).

Lawmakers Submit NPT Withdrawal Bill

Iranian legislators filed a bill with triple urgency to Parliament's Presiding Board seeking the country's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (presstv).

UPDATE: Yemen-Saudi War Escalates on Both Sides

Armed forces spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi Arabia has bombed Yemen 760 times since escalating its attacks, including 28 sorties in the past 24 hours by F-15 and Typhoon jets from Khamis Mushait and Taif against Taiz, Al-Jawf and Marib provinces (irna_1313, sepahcybery, presstv). Saudi strikes on telecom towers in Al-Jawf's Khub wa al-Sha'f area killed four technicians and wounded three (mehrnews). Yemeni strikes on two fuel depots — at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu — sent Saudi stocks lower at the open, with the main index down 0.5%, Aramco 0.6% and Saudi National Bank 0.5% (farsna, akhbarefori, presstv). Yemeni official Zaid al-Gharsi said striking Riyadh signals the ability to reach all of Saudi territory, warning the next steps could include closing Saudi airspace or hitting oil facilities (irna_1313). Yemen's defense minister and chief of staff said any escalation will meet a "decisive and earthquake-like" response and that Saudi ships in Yemeni waters face "fire and seizure" (mehrnews, farsna). Trump told Fox News the US is in continuous contact with Yemen's Ansar Allah, who he said agreed not to fight the United States (Hidcunim_news); a CNN reporter said Trump convened a Camp David meeting on options for attacking Yemen and returned early to the White House as US embassies in the region issued alerts (akhbarefori).

Iraq Sets Course as US Withdrawal Deadline Nears

Muqtada al-Sadr welcomed September 30 being set as the date for the withdrawal of US and coalition forces from Iraq, urging Washington to respect Baghdad's decision and not interfere (irna_1313). Iraq's prime minister said the country faces the consequences of war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz alongside exceptional economic challenges (irna_1313). The oil ministry said exports stand at about 2.6 million barrels per day through southern and northern outlets, with national refineries at full capacity and steps taken to secure strategic fuel stocks (sputnikarabic_rss).

Iran Heads to UN General Assembly

President Pezeshkian will travel to New York in the coming days to address the General Assembly and meet world leaders (presstv, iribnews); no visas were issued to any member of his media team (mehrnews). Foreign Minister Araghchi departed for New York with a stop in Doha for consultations on regional developments (irna_1313).

Tehran Seals French Embassy-Linked Language Center

On the Tehran prosecutor's order, the CLF center linked to the French embassy was sealed after operating without required licenses despite repeated warnings; authorities alleged it used language teaching as cover for projects contrary to national security, including identifying and networking elites and facilitating their exit from the country (irna_1313, iribnews, farsna).

Ammunition Depots Explode South of Aleppo

Large explosions hit an ammunition depot in the Al-Eis area south of Aleppo; warplane sounds were heard before the blasts, and some sources reported three rockets striking depots holding thousands of Grad rockets, Katyushas and artillery shells, with rocket fragments from the detonations landing in villages west of Aleppo (iribnews, irna_1313, irna_1313).

Around West Asia

Hamas claimed the shooting near the Halmish settlement northwest of Ramallah, calling it a response to Netanyahu's actions and violations at Al-Aqsa (irna_1313). Hamas condemned Netanyahu's entry into the Al-Aqsa compound (presstv), and Kuwait denounced National Security Minister Ben Gvir's storming of the site with settlers (irna_1313). Gaza's Health Ministry put the toll since October 2023 at 73,913 killed and 174,935 wounded (sepahnewsir403). The US ordered its personnel in Saudi Arabia to obtain special permission for any travel to Taif and Yanbu, citing security conditions (mehrnews). Qatar said it is exchanging ideas with Tehran and Washington through its mediation teams on reviving talks (irna_1313). A majority of US Jews polled said Netanyahu's actions have intensified antisemitism in the United States (presstv).

🌍 EUROPE

UPDATE: United Russia Wins Duma Election

Preliminary results give the ruling United Russia party 57.26–57.54% of the vote, with the Communists second at about 13.84% (mehrnews, farsna, irna_1313, sputnikmundo_rss). Turnout reached 56.66% nationally and 51% in Moscow (mehrnews, rt_french_rss). Projections show United Russia taking an absolute majority of seats, with four other Duma parties clearing the threshold (rtde_live_rss); A Just Russia stood at 5.16% (smotri_media). CEC head Pamfilova said more than 1,000 waves of cyberattacks from Britain, Ukraine, Brazil and Mexico failed (sputnikserbia_rss, rt_spanish_rss), some countries obstructed Russian voting abroad (sputnikmundo_rss), and a deputy foreign minister said all attempts to disrupt voting abroad failed (tass_rss).

Moscow Vows Intensified Kyiv Strikes; Trump Pressed Zelensky Over Refineries

Russia's Defense Ministry said it will continue and intensify strikes on military targets in Kyiv in response to Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure (sepah_pasdaran, sputnikvietnam_rss). Axios reported Trump repeatedly demanded in a phone call that Zelensky stop attacks on Russian oil refineries; Zelensky described "an important conversation" (mehrnews, irna_1313), with media saying a meeting is being arranged and Trump citing diesel prices (sputnikbrasil_rss). On the ground, Geran drones hit a tanker carrying military cargo at the port of Chernomorsk in the Odesa region (rt_spanish_rss) and struck a bridge near Mayaki used for military transport (rt_spanish_rss); Geran-4 drones destroyed two 35D6 air defense radar stations near Starokozachye and Andreyevka (rt_spanish_rss, mehrnews); FPV drones broke a Ukrainian rotation near Dobropolie (rt_spanish_rss). Iranian media noted the record raid — more than 1,600 drones with about 500 heading to Moscow — came after Witkoff-Kushner talks with Russia and destroyed about 300,000 barrels per day of refining capacity (akhbarefori).

Kremlin: New US Sanctions Law Undermines Peace Efforts

Peskov said the sanctions law signed by Trump this week — allowing tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas — will undermine efforts toward a diplomatic solution in Ukraine (rtde_live_rss). Moscow also announced an upcoming meeting with US representatives on contentious bilateral questions, with dialogue set to continue in coming weeks (rtde_live_rss). Zelensky adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said full deployment of Russia's Rassvet low-orbit satellite constellation, which could let Russian forces control drones via satellite links, would be a "catastrophe" for Ukraine's forces (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikglobe_rss, sputnikarabic_rss).

AfD Wins Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; Merz Calls Result a "Disaster"

Exit polls and preliminary results showed the AfD winning Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with about 37% against the SPD's 36% and the CDU's 5.2%, while the Left party placed first in Berlin (rt_spanish_rss, sputnikserbia_rss, rtde_live_rss, irna_1313). Chancellor Merz called his party's result a "disaster" but ruled out resigning (rtde_live_rss, sputnikserbia_rss).

Europe Briefs

German General Carsten Breuer will take over as chairman of the NATO Military Committee in July 2027, as Washington weighs reducing its troop presence in Europe (rtde_live_rss). French intelligence sources sketched a scenario of drone strikes on French power and rail networks by autumn 2027 while admitting such attacks would be hard to attribute to Russia (rt_french_rss). A Polish diplomat is in critical condition after falling from a third-floor window beside the Polish embassy in Ljubljana (sputnikserbia_rss). Thousands protested in France against a bill that would legitimize violent police methods, which critics call a "license to kill" (irna_1313). Rosatom delivered additional diesel fuel to the Zaporozhye nuclear plant, its CEO said (sputnikindia_rss).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

Trump Bars CNN, Politico and MS NOW From White House

Journalists from the three outlets were denied access on September 19; Trump accused them of spreading "false information" and threatened to extend the ban, setting up a legal battle over press freedom (rt_french_rss, presstv). The Wall Street Journal reported the move came hours after an aide showed Trump negative television coverage (tabzlive).

US Prepares Sweeping Sanctions on ICC

Western media, citing US officials and documents, reported the Trump government is preparing large-scale sanctions against the International Criminal Court that could severely restrict its work and cut its access to the international financial system (sputnikvietnam_rss, irna_1313).

Briefs

Trump announced the creation of an "AI Force" modeled on the Space Forces and the appointment of an "AI czar" (sputnikserbia_rss). Trump proposed converting the planned "Victory Gate" arch in Washington into a military compound for storing, operating and launching drone arrays and sniper ammunition (Hidcunim_news, sputnikindia_rss). Days after sealing the Greenland deal, Trump posted an image of his eyes surveying a globe centered on Greenland captioned "His Hemisphere" (rt_spanish_rss); Denmark and Greenland insisted any deal on expanded US military presence would not compromise sovereignty (irna_1313, irna_1313). Wall Street expects the US Treasury to issue up to $1 trillion in short-term borrowing over the next year (sputnikmundo_rss).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

Trump to Meet Venezuela's Delcy Rodríguez in New York

Trump will meet Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez in New York on Tuesday, the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Maduro's detention in January, according to a senior US official (cubadebate); Rodríguez appears on the official speakers list for the UN General Assembly (yt_laiguanatvtelevision).

Brazil: Lula to Take Campaign Message to the UN

Two weeks before the election, Lula is expected to use his General Assembly speech to defend sovereignty and call on the US not to interfere in Brazil's elections (sputnikbrasil_rss). Revealed documents show Washington demanded 21 political and commercial conditions to reduce 50% tariffs — from protecting "political dissidents" during the 2026 elections to concessions on critical minerals — which Lula's government rejected (yt_omundi, yt_almayadeenespanol).

Briefs

Chilean President Kast's approval fell to 29%, its lowest since he took office in March (sputnikmundo_rss). Mexico is investigating a Telegram post offering a database with more than 15 million Aeroméxico user records (sputnikmundo_rss). Paraguay and Venezuela reestablished relations, with President Peña and Delcy Rodríguez signing agreements (yt_telesurenglish). More than 350 union, student and social organizations marched in Buenos Aires and 30 other cities against Milei's economic plan (yt_telesurenglish).

🌍 EAST ASIA

UPDATE: North Korea Fires Second Missile Barrage in a Week

Japan's Defense Ministry said North Korea fired a second missile Sunday evening local time, hours after a launch believed to be a short-range ballistic missile (mehrnews); South Korea's military said two missiles were fired from the east coast, the second such test in about a week (sputnikserbia_rss). US Indo-Pacific Command said the launches pose no direct threat to the United States or its allies (sputnikarabic_rss). The tests came days after Pyongyang threatened to bolster its nuclear deterrent in response to US hostility (presstv).

🌍 AFRICA

Libya Uncovers Cell That Targeted Vital Facilities

Libya's Presidential Council said security services disrupted a terrorist cell targeting civilian and vital facilities in Tripoli and Zawiya, that investigations exposed the involvement of foreign elements, and that Libya has referred the case to the International Criminal Court (sputnikarabic_rss).

Briefs

Meeting CIA Director Ratcliffe, Sisi affirmed Egypt's full support for Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity (sputnik_africa) and voiced support for a US-Iran agreement restoring regional security and full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire (tabzlive). Egypt's water minister said Cairo will use every measure international law allows to protect its water security, declaring Egypt will not allow anyone to control the "key of life" for Egyptians, with 98% dependence on the Nile (sputnikarabic_rss). DR Congo extended Ebola vaccination to frontline health workers in Bunia, the epicenter of the country's fastest-growing outbreak (yt_telesurenglish, rt_french_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"I'm in a deciding mode and very big things are going to be happening in the not-so-distant future." — Donald Trump, US President (tabzlive)

"For the first time since the start of the confrontation with Iran, we have no baseline outlook. We really don't know how to model the end of this situation." — JPMorgan oil analysts, quoted by Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf (mehrnews)

"If the Americans try to disrupt our trade and financial relations, we will certainly attack American companies — like the American drilling companies operating extensively around us." — Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (sepahcybery)