COMBATE Digest - combate-20260922-0000Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

US Treasury Moves to Shut Down Iranian Airlines Worldwide

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said all Iranian airlines will be shut down globally on September 23 through the threat of secondary sanctions: "you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system" (tabzlive, rt_spanish_rss, guerrasygeo). Mehr called the claim absurd, saying Bessent was trying to justify economic problems created by the costly war on Iran (mehrnews); the plan is part of the "Economic Outcast" operation, though enforcement remains unclear (lantidiplomatico). AFP reported Iraq would halt sanctioned Iranian airlines and Al Jazeera reported Baghdad finalized a plan to disarm Iran-aligned groups (Hidcunim_news), but Iran Air said Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan flights to Najaf were proceeding on schedule (iribnews, seday_teh), and Mehr listed an Iraq-ordered flight halt among "denied news" of the past 24 hours (mehrnews). Separately, WSJ reported a proposed $10 billion "Partnership for Allied Trust and Construction" — $5 billion from Washington and $5 billion from Gulf states and Iraq — to rebuild war-damaged pipelines and refineries while reducing dependence on Hormuz (tabzlive, farsna).

UPDATE: Second Tanker Struck in Strait of Hormuz in a Day

UKMTO said a liquefied gas tanker exiting the southern Hormuz route was struck by an unidentified projectile, with the crew reported safe (farsna, mehrnews); IRIB noted it was the second incident of the day, after a morning attack that wounded two crewmen (iribnews). Bloomberg, relayed by Fars, said Pakistan obtained Iranian permission for another Qatari LNG cargo to transit Hormuz, arriving Tuesday (farsna). Qatar's foreign minister rejected claims the strait can be bypassed: "You cannot say the Strait of Hormuz is obsolete, because everything passes through it" (farsna). Sepah News published what it called the "short end" of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER, describing it as one of the US Army's most advanced reconnaissance and strike drones with over 40 hours of endurance (sepahnewsir403, sepahnewsir403). IRGC spokesman General Mohebbi said US forces were forced to flee to Jordan's al-Azraq base and elsewhere — "we hit that with missiles too" — and that US intelligence centers are within Iran's sights (sepahnewsir403, sepahnewsir403). A judiciary official said a number of US and Israeli ships have been detained in the Gulf and will be sold to compensate war damage to 760 boats and vessels (meo_verified, meo_verified).

Ansar Allah Leader: Saudi Government Serves Washington, London and Israel

Marking 12 years of the September 21 revolution, Abdul Malik al-Houthi — the movement's leader — said Riyadh launched its war with the green light and direct participation of the US, Britain and Israel, committing every element of war crimes (sepahnewsir403, farsna). He said the Saudi government placed its airports at the disposal of Israeli reconnaissance aircraft and tried to intercept Yemeni missiles and drones fired toward Palestine (farsna). He warned Saudi efforts were aimed at dragging Turkey and Pakistan into the war and transferring takfiri fighters from Syria, advising both countries not to be "tainted" by Saudi money (farsna, sepahnewsir403), and said Riyadh wants to be the sole arbiter of who holds office in Yemen (mehrnews). He said the conflict with America will continue as long as Washington seeks domination over Yemen and military bases there (farsna), claimed Saudi Arabia "occupies" Mecca and massacred 3,000 Yemeni pilgrims at Tawama (farsna), and insisted the revolution is not for one group but for the entire Yemeni people (farsna).

Yemen: Saree Counts 917 Attacks as Saudi Jets Bomb Markets

Armed forces spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi F-15s and Typhoons from Khamis Mushait and Taif, with missile units from Najran and Jizan, carried out 157 air and missile attacks on al-Jawf, Taiz, Saada and Marib, bringing the total since the escalation began to 917 — an aggression that "will not go unanswered" (mehrnews, iribnews, sepah_pasdaran). Strikes hit a local market in Dhubab, Taiz (mehrnews, farsna), killed and wounded 14 civilians including women and children in Mokha (farsna), and targeted al-Hazm in al-Jawf (mehrnews); teleSUR reported a strike on a crowded market in Taiz's Hayfan district coinciding with Ansar Allah advances along the Red Sea coast near Bab al-Mandab (yt_telesurenglish). New satellite imagery showed at least seven oil storage tanks damaged near Riyadh's King Khalid Airport, with Saudi authorities silent (farsna). The IRGC-linked Sepah Pasdaran channel said British Prime Minister Andy Burnham authorized the RAF on Monday evening to refuel Saudi fighters attacking Yemen (sepah_pasdaran). UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the organization is deeply concerned about escalation in Yemen and its growing regional and global consequences (mehrnews).

Trump Took Yemen's Call but Made No Commitments

Reuters, relayed by Israel's N12, reported Trump spoke with Yemeni leader Rashad al-Alimi, who asked for US help against Ansar Allah; Trump did not commit to assisting (N12LIVE). The US restricted employee travel to Dhahran and Jubail in eastern Saudi Arabia over the deteriorating security situation and urged citizens to limit non-essential movement (rt_french_rss). Italian officials said they relocated military aircraft stationed at King Khalid air base over security concerns (farsna).

UN Assembly: US Denies Visas to Iranian Media Team

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made a stop in Doha — where Qatar is mediating between Tehran and Washington — before flying on to New York for the UN General Assembly (rt_french_rss, farsna). Washington denied visas to members of President Pezeshkian's media team for the assembly (sputnikserbia_rss, tass_rss). Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said an administration that bars even its own journalists and foreign reporters "is not managing access; it is trying to hide the truth," adding that a nation that once took pride in tearing down the Iron Curtain now stands behind one of its own (tabzlive, mehrnews). Araghchi said the Israel lobby is increasingly open about its grip on US policy toward Iran and that it is "high time for Washington to break free from these shackles," citing an Israel Hayom piece (tabzlive, farsna).

Iraq: 60% of Monthly Oil Revenue Lost to War

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Iraq has lost 60% of its monthly oil revenues because of the war (mehrnews). With the countdown running on a plan to confine weapons to state hands, Baghdad is moving on parallel tracks to regulate arms possession and contain rejecting factions (sputnikarabic_rss).

Around West Asia

Lebanon's official news agency reported Israeli phosphorus bombs around Tyre (farsna), Israeli artillery hit Zout Sharqiyah and Mifdoun in the south (mehrnews), and sirens sounded in al-Malikiyya in the Upper Galilee (mehrnews). Channel 14 reported an explosive device hit an Israeli army vehicle in northern Gaza (farsna); Hamas rejected Israeli claims of ceasefire violations as a pretext to intensify attacks (mehrnews). Israel arrested 35 Palestinians in a Ramallah raid as Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa compound (yt_telesurenglish). Channel 12 cited a senior security official saying Israel is preparing for possible escalation with Iran if Washington-Tehran talks fail (sepah_pasdaran). A huge explosion hit a Syrian army ammunition depot at al-Eis south of Aleppo, wounding four (rt_french_rss, Hidcunim_news) — the fifth depot blast in Syria in 30 days, according to an Iranian channel (seday_teh). Saudi border guards deployed a surveillance balloon near the Iraqi border (mehrnews).

🌍 EUROPE

European Intelligence Chiefs Warn of Russian Action Against NATO

The Guardian reported Poland's prime minister told parliament that intelligence assessments suggest Russia could launch a drone or missile attack in the coming months; Macron called the warnings solid and well documented, Czech intelligence concurred, and the Baltic states backed the alert (yt_france24es).

Wagenknecht Demands Merz Resign Over "Historic Failure"

Sarah Wagenknecht, leader of Germany's BSW, called on Chancellor Merz to resign after the CDU's "historic defeat" in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (sputnikvietnam_rss); Merz said he will not resign and that the result "responds to his person" (yt_france24es).

Kaczyński: Ukraine Tried to Draw Poland Into the War

Former deputy PM Jarosław Kaczyński said Ukraine sought from the first days to pull Poland into the war with Russia — even floating a quasi-common state — which Warsaw could not accept given its then-weak armed forces (rtde_live_rss, rt_french_rss, sputnikserbia_rss).

Hungary Blocks Fuel Storage for Ukraine; Poland Details US Base Presence

Hungarian PM Péter Magyar said his government will not allow oil-product storage for Ukraine anywhere in Hungary and that the MOL-Naftogaz memorandum will not be realized (sputnikserbia_rss). Poland's deputy defense minister said 3,000-5,000 US troops will be stationed at the planned permanent base on Polish territory (sputnikserbia_rss); Foreign Minister Sikorski promised to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he ends the Ukraine conflict (sputnikserbia_rss).

EU and Canada Assemble New Global Bloc

The EU and Canada are preparing a new international alliance, "P4M — Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity," to be presented Tuesday on the UNGA margins (sputnikserbia_rss); Canada proposed the UK join its economic alliance with the EU, Finance Minister Champagne said (yt_france24es).

Moscow Rejects Le Pen's Claims; Medvedev Calls Her Party Russophobic

Peskov said Russia threatens neither France nor any European state and has no serious disputes with any of them (rt_french_rss, farsna); Medvedev told Le Pen her National Rally has become "a typical European Russophobic party" (sputnikserbia_rss).

Europe Briefs

Russia's Foreign Ministry called NATO's Arctic build-up unjustified and branded alliance exercises there a security risk (rtde_live_rss). Germany's defense minister said "the Iranians are very powerful and defend themselves very well," adding Europeans see the war's consequences "at fuel stations" as prices rise unbelievably (farsna). French drivers are filling tanks with rapeseed cooking oil amid the diesel crisis (sputnikserbia_rss). Germany and 21 other states issued a statement warning of AI's security risks and calling for oversight of AI models (irna_1313); Ireland's data regulator fined Google €403 million over location-data processing (farsna). Two Pristina policemen suspected of beating Nenad Rašković were reinstated after a month (sputnikserbia_rss). A Russian analyst said strikes on Ukraine's three largest steel plants strip it of the ability to produce its own weapons (sputnikglobe_rss), as Ukrainians brace for the harshest winter of the conflict (sputnikbrasil_rss). Thousands of migrants remain stranded in Ceuta two months after 70,000 arrivals, with new crossing calls circulating for September 23 (rt_french_rss).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

UPDATE: US-China Talks Fail to Extend Trade Truce Before Xi Visit

The Financial Times, citing US sources, said Bessent and He Lifeng failed in New York to agree on extending the trade truce: Washington wants six months, Beijing wants it to last through the end of Trump's term (mehrnews, sputnikbrasil_rss). Officials said the sides intend to discuss AI cooperation and expanded energy and consumer-goods trade during Xi's visit (sputnikvietnam_rss). Trump said "whoever wins in AI, wins," insisting the US leads China, and dismissed AI risk arguments as conspiracy theories (farsna, sputnikvietnam_rss).

Trump Approval Sinks to 32 Percent

A Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump's approval at 32% — the lowest of his career — with Republican support dropping from 82% to 73% in a week, only 17% approving his handling of living costs, and cost of living the top issue before the November 3 midterms (tabzlive, sepah_pasdaran).

Media Outlets Sue Over White House Ban; Fox Cuts Off Vance

CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed suit in federal court in Washington alleging First Amendment violations after being barred from the White House (mehrnews, iribnews). Fox News cut away from a Vance rally speech saying "we'll return to this rally if it starts making news" (rt_spanish_rss), as ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC agreed to halt collective coverage of Trump programs (sepah_pasdaran).

Trump Demands End to "Endless" War as Diesel Bites

Trump wrote on Truth Social that Russia "has lost control of its diesel fuel industry" because of the war in Ukraine and that "this ridiculous, endless war with Ukraine must end" (mehrnews); he blamed Russia and Ukraine for record diesel prices, while an analyst said the Iran conflict is the biggest driver of shortages (rt_spanish_rss). Vance admitted energy prices remain elevated because of shipping disruptions tied to Iran (informador_global); oil fell about 3% — Brent toward $100, US crude near $97 — as Pakistan's mediator visited Tehran (farsna). Trump also promised a major deal to buy Belarusian potash at prices "significantly lower" than Canada's (mehrnews, sputnikserbia_rss).

Briefs

A UN rapporteur found US attacks on suspected drug boats in international waters violate international law and may constitute crimes against humanity (sputnikmundo_rss). The Pentagon's transfer of MQ-9 Reaper drones to Southern Command alters South American surveillance dynamics and puts Brazil in range, an analyst said (sputnikbrasil_rss).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

Lula Calls Trump "Emperor," Threatens Reciprocity

In a CNN interview, Lula called Trump an "emperor," said the US cannot impose its will on other countries, branded Eduardo Bolsonaro a "traitor to the homeland," and said Brazil may invoke its reciprocity law if Washington refuses to negotiate — while insisting he seeks no trade war (sputnikbrasil_rss, sputnikmundo_rss).

UPDATE: Venezuela's Rodríguez Arrives for UN Assembly

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez landed in New York for the 81st General Assembly — the first Venezuelan leader to attend in eight years — ahead of her Tuesday meeting with Trump (yt_telesurenglish, yt_france24es), holding talks with the Inter-American Development Bank (yt_telesurenglish) and World Bank President Ajay Banga (yt_telesurenglish).

Briefs

Milei guaranteed Argentina will not retake the Malvinas by military means amid the UK-backed Sea Lion oil project (sputnikbrasil_rss). Sheinbaum said Sinaloa's violence shows what US "interference" caused by breaking apart a criminal group, referencing the irregular capture of "El Mayo" Zambada (sputnikmundo_rss, yt_lajornada2023). Three Colombian soldiers died and four were wounded when a FARC dissident mine field was triggered in Meta (sputnikmundo_rss), and Washington decertified Colombia in the counter-narcotics fight (yt_canalcaribecuba).

🌍 EAST ASIA

North Korea Tests New Weapons System

KCNA said the Rocket General Bureau conducted a test of a new weapons system (sputnikvietnam_rss).

Cambodia and Thailand Take Gulf Dispute to Compulsory Conciliation

The neighbors began UNCLOS compulsory conciliation through the Permanent Court of Arbitration over roughly 27,000 km² of overlapping claims in the Gulf of Thailand (sputnikvietnam_rss).

Briefs

China tested the world's first underwater solar power plant, operating at 10 meters' depth (sputnikserbia_rss); Xi chaired a Politburo meeting on Party discipline that set an October plenum date (yt_cgtnespanol). Vietnam will hold a parade at Ba Dinh Square for the Communist Party's 100th anniversary (sputnikvietnam_rss). An Indian expert said the success of UPI and RuPay unnerves the US by eroding Visa and Mastercard, and urged excluding the issue from trade talks (sputnikindia_rss); India's fertilizer sector is squeezed by surging sulfur costs after attacks on oil facilities in Russia and the Middle East (rt_india_rss).

🌍 AFRICA

Seven Ethiopian Armed Groups Unite Against Abiy Ahmed

Seven armed groups, including the TPLF and Fano fighters, announced an alliance to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed — movements that fought each other during the 2020-2022 Tigray war (rt_french_rss).

Libya's Sharara Field at Risk After Pipeline Valve Closed

The National Oil Corporation said an armed group closed a crude pipeline valve at the Sharara field, sharply raising line pressure and cutting output (sputnikarabic_rss).

Briefs

Uganda suspended military cooperation with Turkey, with the army chief's closeness to Israel raising geopolitical questions (rt_french_rss). DR Congo's Prime Minister Suminwa will represent Tshisekedi at the UN General Assembly (rt_french_rss). Egypt approved the Fula dam project in South Sudan (rt_french_rss) and flagged broad water-management cooperation with China (1087968996). Algeria's FM Attaf opened a diplomatic front at the UN across multiple files (sputnikarabic_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"You cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system." — Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary (tabzlive)

"A nation that once took pride in tearing down the Iron Curtain now finds itself standing behind one of its own." — Esmail Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman (tass_rss)

"High time for Washington to break free from these shackles." — Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister (tabzlive)

"Countries that shed crocodile tears for Saudi oil installations would not be willing to live a single day under the conditions of the blockade on Yemen!" — Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen's Ansar Allah (farsna)

"Russia, unfortunately, has lost control of its diesel fuel industry because of the war with Ukraine... This ridiculous, endless war with Ukraine must end." — Donald Trump, US President (mehrnews)

"You cannot say the Strait of Hormuz is obsolete, because everything passes through it." — Qatari Foreign Minister (farsna)