COMBATE Digest - combate-20260922-1200Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

IRGC Claims New Missile Strike on US Aircraft Carrier

IRGC spokesman General Mohebbi said a new Iranian missile struck a US aircraft carrier operating about 500 km away — damaging but not disabling the vessel — and that in the IRGC's assessment the hit caused casualties the US never announced (irna_1313); the IRGC-linked Sepah Pasdaran channel said the test of the new weapon against the American carrier "went well" (sepah_pasdaran, mehrnews, sepahnewsir403). Mohebbi said Iran possesses the technological base for far longer-range missiles pending a political decision, and that Americans "must prepare to face a superior world power" (irna_1313). He assessed that the enemy lacks the capacity for a new war — "there is no new war, because that war has not yet ended" — said the IRGC plays no part in diplomatic contacts, and stressed full readiness for any repeat attack (irna_1313). Deputy IRGC commander Major General Mostafa Izadi said Iranian forces can hit large enemy vessels with ballistic missiles and stand firm in Hormuz, telling regional states the enemy's bases across 12 countries achieved nothing (farsna, meo_verified). Mohebbi also said reverse engineering will begin on an unmanned US submersible captured by IRGC naval forces in the strait (farsna, N12chat, presstv), and that negotiation is "not compromise and peace — it is another scene of the war," permissible if the country's interests require (irna_1313).

Pezeshkian Departs for UN as Trump Signals Openness to Meeting

President Masoud Pezeshkian left Tehran for the 81st General Assembly (mehrnews, farsna), saying Iran will firmly defend its positions and tell the world of a people who "sat at the negotiating table several times and signed agreements" only to watch commitments trampled (farsna, mehrnews). He accused Washington of turning to blockades after failing militarily: "They are blocking the routes, the air routes and the land routes... to force our nation to submit" (WarSaWitness, rt_spanish_rss). He met Algeria's interior minister during a stopover (sepah_pasdaran, farsna). Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in New York since Monday evening, spoke by phone with Guterres (mehrnews, iribnews) and said trust in the UN "has been destroyed" by its ineffectiveness, that some countries grant themselves the right to do anything, and that Western silence leaves the Israeli government's hands completely free (mehrnews, meo_verified). An Israeli report said Washington imposed movement and purchase restrictions on the Iranian delegation in New York despite issuing visas (Hidcunim_news). Trump said "I will have meetings about Iran today" (irna_1313); Rubio said Trump "is open to meeting with Pezeshkian or anybody," while noting the ultimate decision-maker is the supreme leader (tabzlive). Trump told Fox News he was open to meeting Pezeshkian at the assembly (1087968996), though a senior Iranian official ruled out such a meeting (tabzlive).

UPDATE: Iran Denies Reports It Offered to Reopen Hormuz in Seven Days

Kyodo and Reuters, citing senior Iranian officials, reported Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington eased military pressure and lifted its port blockade, formally committing to diplomacy on an agreed timeline; the proposal, approved by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council, was delivered through mediators (tabzlive, tabzlive). Fars reported Iranian sources dismissed the reports as unreliable after they pulled oil prices lower (farsna). Prices rebounded, with Brent recovering to $101.48 and US crude toward $96.82 (irna_1313, me_observer_TG), after Monday's close of $95.78 and $100.34 respectively (1087968996). Xinhua cited TD Securities analyst Ryan McKay saying Hormuz crude exports are recovering — regional shipments back to roughly 80% of pre-war levels — so Iran's "key leverage may already be lost" absent major escalation, with Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline possibly resuming partially within days (1087968996). Macron said France will cooperate with the US on reopening Hormuz to calm energy markets (farsna); Egypt's foreign minister rejected turning seas and straits into "tools for pressure, escalation and blackmail" (sputnikarabic_rss), and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the Aspides Red Sea mission needs more than 10 warships (irna_1313). Sepah News assessed that the workarounds sustaining world oil markets are collapsing one by one, with US strategic reserves at about 285 million barrels — the lowest since 1982 — and the UAE's Fujairah now the decisive arena of the "energy war" (sepahnewsir403).

UPDATE: China Rejects US Move Against Iranian Airlines

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing opposes the "illegal" US sanctions against Iran's aviation industry, which lack any basis in international law (farsna, mehrnews, rt_spanish_rss). Iran Air said no order to halt flights to Istanbul, Baku or Najaf has been received from Turkey, Azerbaijan or Iraq (mehrnews, irna_1313), and Mehr reported Turkish Airlines has not flown to Iran for eight months, denying suspension rumors (mehrnews). Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport handled 3,109 international flights carrying 445,113 passengers to 19 countries in the first 29 days of the month (farsna).

UPDATE: Britain Formally Enters Yemen War

Politico and the BBC reported a single RAF Voyager tanker based in Cyprus will begin refueling Saudi fighters in coming days on a "defensive" mission PM Andy Burnham approved on the advice of Defense Secretary Wes Streeting and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband — an arrangement officials called temporary, initially for weeks (farsna, sepahnewsir403, 1087968996). Saudi jets struck a house in Mokha, Taiz, killing six civilians including two nursing infants and a woman, and wounding eight (sepah_pasdaran, farsna); Ansar Allah answered with the hashtag "It will not be late" (sepahnewsir403). All operations at Abha airport in southwest Saudi Arabia were suspended after Yemeni attacks, and Riyadh warned citizens they may not film strikes (sepah_pasdaran, farsna); air-raid alerts in Najran were activated and later lifted (farsna, tabzlive). G7 foreign ministers condemned attacks on Yemen and Saudi Arabia, urged Ansar Allah to halt operations and return to negotiations, and called on Iran to stop backing the movement, warning of threats to Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb shipping (tabzlive, mehrnews). RT France reported Saudi Arabia has quietly sought Israeli intelligence assistance via US CENTCOM as attacks on its territory and oil infrastructure intensify (rt_french_rss).

Yemen: Sanaa Bombing Plot Foiled; Ansar Allah Vows Decisive Battle

Ansar Allah political bureau member Hezam al-Assad said security forces thwarted a Saudi intelligence operation using bomb-rigged motorcycles and suicide attackers against markets and mosques in Sanaa, arresting all those involved without casualties (mehrnews, sepahnewsir403, iribnews). Al-Assad said Yemen's armed forces are waging a "decisive battle" against Saudi Arabia, and any escalation by Riyadh will expand and diversify the choice of targets (irna_1313, presstv). The IOM said nearly 130,000 people were displaced across seven Yemeni provinces in weeks — 73,494 hosted in Taiz and 33,828 in Lahij — with 3,106 crossing the Red Sea to Djibouti (1087968996).

Iran and Pakistan Push Integration

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Pakistani counterpart Mohsin Naqvi discussed finalizing existing bilateral agreements (presstv), with the border between the two countries set to operate around the clock (irna_1313). Pezeshkian told Naqvi the two countries can meet their needs through regional potential, saying US actions and pressure have pushed countries together (yt_cgtnespanol); Naqvi then traveled to Mashhad (farsna).

Around West Asia

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran can now strike "any point we want with our missiles, without restriction," and warned Trump he cannot impose his power on a nation that will neither shut down nor surrender (farsna, farsna, presstv). Beirut says Israeli attacks have burned more than 16,000 hectares of Lebanese farmland, woodland and forest since October 2023, alongside white phosphorus use, tree uprooting and glyphosate damage over 2,000 hectares (rt_french_rss). Israeli Defense Minister Katz warned that if even one soldier or civilian is kidnapped, all of Gaza City — more than a million residents — will be evacuated southward and treated "the way Rafah, Beit Hanoun and 70% of Gaza's territory were treated" (tabzlive). Gaza's Health Ministry put the war's death toll at 73,919 with 174,977 wounded (iribnews, mehrnews). Netanyahu will land in New Jersey rather than New York for his brief assembly trip, Yedioth reported (mehrnews), as mass protests against his visit were held across the US (mehrnews). Israeli airlines canceled Dubai flights under a Shin Bet directive that does not bind foreign carriers (me_observer_TG). UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the conflict around Iran will drag on, with changing intensity (tass_rss). Iran's judiciary said another ship — belonging to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer — has been seized, with the case before the Supreme Court (farsna, irna_1313), and displayed Tomahawk fragments from the strike on Minab's school that killed 168 students (sepahnewsir403, sepah_pasdaran). Tehran's prosecutor said assets of 394 people accused of cooperating with the enemy — 2,191 bank accounts and 37 vehicles — were confiscated (mehrnews). Turkish media reported debate over a Mossad footprint in a crypto-fraud network probe that has detained 211 people (iribnews). Iraq's PM told the NYT militias and Kurdish forces will be disarmed and folded into state structures by June 30, 2027, starting with a 90-day halt to attacks — "not something that is optional" (tabzlive). Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei mourned Grand Ayatollah Shobeyri Zanjani as a gap among Shia jurisprudents (meo_verified, sepah_pasdaran).

🌍 EUROPE

Russia Strikes Ukrainian Industry Overnight; Zelensky Floats Ceasefire

Russia's Defense Ministry said overnight strikes with long-range precision weapons hit metallurgical, chemical, fuel-energy and defense facilities supporting the Ukrainian military in the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava and Odesa regions (sputnikglobe_rss, sputnikindia_rss); air defenses downed 297 Ukrainian drones overnight (sputnikindia_rss), and strikes also hit drone workshops (sputnikindia_rss) and the Kremenchug refinery producing army fuel (sputnikvietnam_rss). The "Center" grouping said it completed the encirclement of a large Ukrainian stronghold at Dobropolye in Donetsk (sputnikvietnam_rss). Zelensky said Kyiv is ready for an unconditional ceasefire and to halt fighting along the current line of contact if Russia agrees, opening diplomatic talks (irna_1313). The Kremlin said Moscow wants lasting peace, "not a truce that achieves nothing" (sputnikserbia_rss), and would consider a Ukrainian proposal to meet at the UN assembly if one is made (sputnikvietnam_rss); a Lavrov-Rubio meeting is expected September 23 in New York (sputnikserbia_rss), and Rubio said Trump is ready to do everything in his power to end the conflict (sputnikserbia_rss). The SVR said EU officials fear losing their chance to seize frozen Russian assets if a new government takes office, and are weighing a supranational structure to "hide" the assets after removal from Euroclear (sputnikglobe_rss). Lavrov claimed Kyiv listed soldiers as civilians on the Bucha memorial (tass_rss); the Zaporozhye plant said a drone damaged a radiation checkpoint (sputnikvietnam_rss); the FSB detained a Russian passing Black Sea Fleet imagery to Ukrainian military intelligence (sputnikserbia_rss); NABU-derived statistics put Ukraine's corruption losses at $15.7 billion since the war began (sputnikserbia_rss).

US, Denmark and Greenland Sign Arctic Security Pact

Denmark's PM office said Frederiksen, Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Trump will sign the agreement at 10:30 Tuesday at UN headquarters to "strengthen Arctic and North Atlantic security" (1087968996). Trump said the deal gives the US "permanent control" over Greenland's security and other needs; Frederiksen insisted it recognizes Danish sovereignty and territorial integrity and Greenlanders' self-determination (1087968996). Reuters reported the US plans to reopen a Cold War-era military base in southern Greenland under the deal (sputnikvietnam_rss, sputnikbrasil_rss).

Poland Aims for 15,000 US Troops Long-Term

Poland's deputy defense minister said the final goal is about 15,000 US soldiers — 4,000-5,000 at the planned permanent base and 10,000-11,000 rotational — phased through 2039, up from 6,500-7,000 rotating now (1087968996).

Germany: CDU State Chief Resigns; AfD Prepares for Federal Role

CDU's Mecklenburg-Vorpommern leader Daniel Peters resigned after the party's 4.9% result left it out of a state parliament for the first time in the postwar era — a fresh blow to Merz (sputnikserbia_rss). Merz called the result "dramatic and unprecedented" but said the CDU will maintain its coalition with the SPD, after taking 18.8% in Berlin (1087968996); The Economist judged him in his shakiest position yet (irna_1313). BILD reported an internal AfD paper setting conditions for supporting a Union minority government, with the party refusing to be a mere prop (rtde_live_rss). Mercedes-Benz may close two German plants without major cost cuts, its production chief said (sputnikserbia_rss).

Canada and Europe Draw Closer

Carney met Macron on Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, reaffirming a future-facing alliance for "collective resilience," with Macron backing Canadian associate membership in the EU; Carney was the first non-European leader invited to von der Leyen's state-of-the-union speech and formally proposed joining the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force alongside new British PM Burnham (1087968996). Von der Leyen's associate-membership proposal has French backing amid renegotiation of the North American free-trade treaty (sputnikbrasil_rss).

Europe Briefs

France plans a "zero-profit" golden rule in its 2027 budget to redistribute VAT windfalls as pump prices soar, with new aid due Tuesday (rt_french_rss); Germany is weighing a 14-cent per liter cut in energy taxes (iribnews), and Reuters reported Europe faces a severe jet-fuel shortage (iribnews). Vučić opened his US visit saying the world needs "responsibility, mutual respect and readiness for compromise" more than ever (sputnikserbia_rss), as the Narodna Srbija coalition withdrew its parliamentary list to foster a "referendum atmosphere" (sputnikserbia_rss). Zakharova said KLA members "will answer" for crimes against Serbs after the Hague tribunal's convictions of former commanders (sputnikserbia_rss); Dodik vowed a fight to raise Republika Srpska's autonomy (sputnikserbia_rss). Lavrov told a Moscow disinformation forum that the West's information war began long before the Ukraine campaign, invoking the 1999 provocations against Yugoslavia (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikserbia_rss). Russia placed the local subsidiaries of Nestlé, Auchan and Leroy Merlin under temporary external administration, citing Western support for attacks on Russian infrastructure (rtde_live_rss). Rostec delivered new Zubr short-range anti-drone systems to the military (sputnikserbia_rss). Britain test-fired a heavy torpedo from an unmanned underwater vehicle for the first time (sputnikvietnam_rss).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

UN Assembly Opens Amid War and Reform Calls

The 81st General Assembly's leaders' week began Tuesday overshadowed by the West Asia war, Russia-Ukraine and AI governance (irna_1313). Guterres warned the world is moving toward a multipolar order whose character depends on whether power is governed by law and cooperation or force and coercion (irna_1313). US Ambassador Waltz said UN budget cuts are deliberate — the organization is "on a diet" as Washington seeks to create order (rtde_live_rss); Erdoğan demanded abolishing the Security Council veto, saying the current system no longer fits modern realities (mehrnews, rtde_live_rss). With Guterres leaving in December, seven contenders are in the race, with informal rotation favoring a Latin American or Caribbean candidate (irna_1313, sputnikmundo_rss). Major US networks suspended coverage of Trump's assembly speech in solidarity with barred outlets (rtde_live_rss, iribnews).

Republicans Pull Away From Trump Over Iran War

Reuters reported Senate candidates Mike Rogers of Michigan and Ashley Hinson of Iowa — both in tight races — are calling for a rapid end to the Iran war as record diesel prices bite, after previously backing Trump's authority to strike Tehran (iribnews, irna_1313); PressTV cited Hinson saying ordinary Americans should not keep paying for a war that has backfired (presstv). Trump countered that claims of an ammunition shortage come from "cowards and traitors," insisting stockpiles are being raised to unprecedented levels (gordanesam313). He also said he expects the legal battle over the White House press ban to continue on appeal if necessary (sputnikindia_rss).

Briefs

A Chicago Council poll found 57% of Americans favor friendly cooperation with China, with Republican support up 10 points to its highest since 2019 (1087968996), and Xi Jinping replied to letters from US students, noting more than 50,000 American youths have visited under the exchange initiative (1087968996) — days before his September 23-25 US visit. Protests erupted in Austin after an ICE agent shot and wounded a Venezuelan driver (presstv). Russia remains the largest supplier of uranium enrichment services to US nuclear utilities despite sanctions, Foreign Policy reported (sputnikindia_rss).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

UPDATE: Venezuela's Rodríguez Meets IMF and World Bank Chiefs

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez met Guterres at UN headquarters, signed the guest book backing multilateralism and stability, and held talks with the IMF and IDB aimed at restoring cooperation and unblocking funds (yt_telesurenglish), including separate meetings with World Bank President Ajay Banga (yt_lubrio) and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva (yt_lubrio). A Hinterlaces survey aired by state TV found 91% of Venezuelans view dialogue with the US positively, 90% approve of current diplomatic and economic ties, and 82% back the new oil alliance (tvfanb_1).

Briefs

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez told CELAC counterparts on the assembly margins that Washington is trying to revive the old Monroe Doctrine (irna_1313). Bolivia's removal of diesel subsidies will save the state $660 million a year but has doubled food and transport prices in many cases (sputnikmundo_rss). Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof took a key step toward a 2027 presidential run, with polls making him Milei's main rival (sputnikmundo_rss).

🌍 EAST ASIA

China Expels Two Senior Commanders

Xi Jinping expelled Zhang Yuxia and Liu Zhenli from the Communist Party for "serious violations of discipline and law"; the Daily Telegraph reported allegations of disloyalty and corruption, and that Zhang had passed classified information on China's nuclear weapons to the US (iribnews).

Koreas: Weapon Test Followed by Seoul's Sanctions Call

KCNA said Kim Jong Un oversaw a successful September 20 test of a new combat weapon system (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikindia_rss). South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urged Washington to ease sanctions on the DPRK in exchange for freezing its weapons programs (sputnikvietnam_rss).

Briefs

Vietnam's leader Tô Lâm met Erdoğan at the assembly, agreeing to work toward upgraded ties (sputnikvietnam_rss) and urged Vietnamese Americans to "close the past" (sputnikvietnam_rss). India's ONGC struck gas in a deepwater Mahanadi basin well about 43 km off Odisha (sputnikindia_rss). Mishustin said Russia's trade with India and the Global South has reached $299 billion as Moscow pivots away from Europe (rt_india_rss), and India used the new P4M alliance to call for "reformed multilateralism" (rt_india_rss).

🌍 CENTRAL ASIA

Iran and Turkmenistan Target $3 Billion Trade

Tehran and Ashgabat aim to lift annual trade to $3 billion after sharp growth in energy and transit flows this year (parstodayrussian).

🌍 AFRICA

Madagascar Opens "Iranian Boeings" Trial

A Malagasy court began trying some 30 suspects — including a figure close to President Rajoelina — over five Boeing 777-200s registered in Madagascar and later found in Iran under sanctions, in an investigation that drew FBI support (rt_french_rss).

Briefs

Thousands of Cameroonians fled toward Waza after attacks attributed to Boko Haram killed 14 around Makary and Medouga, arriving short of food and water (rt_french_rss). Mali's transition leader Assimi Goïta marked 66 years of independence stressing sovereignty, security, AES consolidation and national reconciliation (rt_french_rss). Seven more mayors left ex-president Macky Sall's APR party for President Faye's Kiiraay (rt_french_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"One of the missiles struck the American carrier... it hit and inflicted damage, but did not put it out of action. In our assessment there were casualties, but they did not announce it." — General Mohebbi, IRGC spokesman (irna_1313)

"US officials blame Iran for rising fuel prices as if the public's memory were short enough to forget who actually initiated the war of aggression... In 1939, Hitler likewise framed his invasion of Poland as a defensive action." — Esmail Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman (sepahnewsir403)

"Trust in the United Nations has been destroyed because of its ineffectiveness in establishing international peace and security." — Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister (mehrnews)

"We sat at the negotiating table several times and signed agreements, but the whole world saw how the commitments were not honored and the writings were trampled." — Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran (farsna)

"President Trump is open to meeting with Pezeshkian or anybody... the ultimate decision maker in Iran is the supreme leader, and the supreme leader is a radical Shia cleric." — Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State (tabzlive)

"Cowards and traitors like to say America faces an ammunition shortage — that is not true at all. We have so much ammunition it would not even fit in your imagination." — Donald Trump, US President (gordanesam313)