COMBATE Digest - combate-20260923-1200Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

Pezeshkian Takes Victims' Photographs to the UN Podium

President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the General Assembly on Wednesday evening, scheduled as the fifth speaker of day two (meo_verified), and displayed photographs of victims of US-Israeli attacks, including children killed in the Minab school strike and scientists and civilians killed in Israeli attacks; of Israeli attacks on Palestinians he asked, "Will you turn a blind eye to such attacks?" (iswnews_en). Before departing he said Iran would take the cruelty inflicted on the children of Minab and Lamard to the UN and denounce "unjust behaviors" in the region (yt_jpmas). Iran's civil aviation spokesman denied rumors of a technical malfunction, saying his aircraft's stop in Algeria en route to New York was pre-planned (meo_verified).

UPDATE: Iran Names Qatar as Mediator; Witkoff Calls Round "Successful"

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the interaction with the American side was conducted through Qatari mediation and served to convey Iran's conditions: an end to the war on all fronts, a halt to US aggressive actions, the naval blockade and economic war, and the release of Iranian assets (irna_1313). Witkoff said the mediators "successfully concluded a round of talks that we hope will be constructive and promising" and will continue their work (tass_rss). Trump said after the three-hour contacts there is "a lot of momentum" toward an agreement while again threatening Tehran with destruction (rtde_live_rss); RT noted the resumed dialogue feeds hopes of de-escalation after nearly seven months of war (rt_french_rss). IRIB reported the meeting took place at the US side's insistence (sputnikindia_rss). Brent fell below $99 a barrel as the talks raised expectations a diplomatic solution could ease oil supply disruptions (sputnikserbia_rss).

Jalali: Hormuz's New Shipping Rules Will Be Set by Iran and Oman

Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali said the US must accept the new reality of the Strait of Hormuz, whose shipping regime "will be determined precisely by the two countries that possess this strait — Iran and Oman" (tass_rss). Jalali said Iran drew on no foreign military experience in the war with the US, relying entirely on internal potential (tass_rss), and that Tehran is satisfied with the pace of military cooperation with Russia, which is expanding faster than in the past (tass_rss). The UK Maritime Trade Operations office said it received a report of a maritime incident inside the strait (mehrnews).

Iran's Armed Forces Promise "Unpredictable Blows"

The General Staff and Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said Trump's repeated threats from the UN podium are "merely a tool for domestic propaganda" demonstrating the strategic dead end of US aggression, and warned of "even harsher, crushing and unpredictable blows" against any aggressor (sepahnewsir403, presstv). A senior military figure said Iran fields at least 10 million trained Basij members able to defend every part of the country and that foreign forces attempting to land in Iran "will be destroyed" (rt_spanish_rss). IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Mobelli, in his first interview with foreign media, said Iran does not seek war with the Persian Gulf states, respects neighbors' territorial integrity and called for regional unity (meo_verified).

Yemen: 15th Wing Loong Downed; Saudi Strikes Hit Hodeidah Towers

Armed forces spokesman Yahya Saree said a Saudi armed Wing Loong 2 reconnaissance drone was intercepted and destroyed over Mokha during hostile missions (farsna); ISW counts it as the 15th Wing Loong 1/2 lost in the war, with 135 aircraft downed in Yemen overall (iswnews_en). Saudi fighters struck telecom towers in Hodeidah province in continued attacks on civilian infrastructure (sepah_pasdaran). Government spokesperson Omar al-Bukhaiti condemned the escalating Saudi attacks and warned Arab and Muslim nations against joining Riyadh's aggression (presstv).

Macron Offers "Defensive" Hormuz Role, Defends Refusal to Join War

Macron said France is ready to participate in a "defensive" operation in the Strait of Hormuz while staying clear of confrontation with Iran (sputnikglobe_rss). He said preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon remains the main objective but that "having a regime change by bombing a country is not something I think feasible... we did this mistake several times in the past decades" (tabzlive), adding that France decided not to join the war because "it was not the right option" and that allies should be consulted before wars are launched (tabzlive). Netanyahu denounced the "grotesque absurdity" of Macron's remarks on Gaza and the West Bank (rt_french_rss).

Syria's al-Sharaa: Peace With Israel Possible If Territory Is Returned

Transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Syria is working toward a permanent peace with Israel provided its rights are guaranteed and its land is not occupied, accusing Israel of repeated attacks that occupy part of Syrian territory; Damascus has chosen the diplomatic path with the help of friendly states (sputnikarabic_rss). At the Atlantic Council he stressed the Golan Heights are not negotiable, calling them Syrian territory recognized by the United Nations (irna_1313).

Around West Asia

Israel's military carried out an air strike near Al-Wafa hospital in Gaza City (mehrnews) and hit Zawtar al-Sharqiya in southern Lebanon with banned phosphorus bombs (mehrnews). Gaza's students returned to classrooms for the first time since October 2023 amid destruction, displacement and shortages (sputnikarabic_rss). Araghchi told Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein that regional states must honor good neighborliness and prevent aggressors from using their territory or facilities against Iran, vowing Tehran is "determined and serious" in defending its sovereignty (farsna); he told the French FM: "You cannot claim compassion for human rights while remaining silent — and cooperating — in the face of the crimes of America and the Zionist regime" (farsna). ElBaradei urged Arab states to build a joint security system including Iran and Turkey (meo_verified). Iraq's Badr bloc warned Baghdad against complying with US Treasury demands to bar Iranian civilian flights, calling it a violation of sovereignty and an "ideological red line" (meo_verified). Britain's PM told the assembly London stands with Israel against Iran and the resistance axis and will continue military support for Ukraine (farsna). Canada announced $100 million for Palestinians — $80 million humanitarian, $20 million for peace and security capacity (farsna) — and will restrict goods produced in Israeli settlements (sepahcybery). Jordan's King Abdullah II said the world ignored the Palestinian conflict until it spun out of control, accusing Israel's government of systematic crimes in Gaza and the West Bank (yt_jpmas). Iran restored around 50% of South Pars capacity damaged in the war, on schedule before winter (farsna, presstv); Rosatom said it is gradually increasing its workforce at Bushehr and the situation there is calm (presstv). Press TV assessed a 313,000-person "Jan-Fada" drill as showcasing popular mobilization and social readiness (presstv). Security forces arrested members of a covert separatist-terrorist network in Kurdistan province who had repeatedly traveled to Iraqi Kurdistan camps (sepah_pasdaran); a special operation cleared a "terrorist team house" in Jihadabad, Saravan (farsna). Israel's Channel 14 reported a sharp rise in Israelis willing to spy for Iranian intelligence for small payments (iribnews). Gulf states arrived at the UN with a message for Trump: the war on Iran has slowed their economies and endangered critical infrastructure (rt_spanish_rss).

🌍 EUROPE

Russia Reports Kharkov Gains, Mass Strikes and 514 Drones Downed

The Defense Ministry said Russian forces took control of Krasny Yar and Potikhonovo in the Kharkov region (sputnikindia_rss) and thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to break out of encirclement there (sputnikbrasil_rss). Air defenses downed 514 Ukrainian drones overnight (sputnikindia_rss) after coordinated UAV strikes on military-industrial, fuel-energy and logistics facilities and vessels serving Ukraine's military (sputnikglobe_rss, sputnikvietnam_rss). Molniya drone operators used a double-strike tactic to burn a Ukrainian troop shelter in the Kharkov region (sputnikbrasil_rss). A Ukrainian drone killed an ambulance driver and wounded three colleagues in Mala Bilozerka, Zaporizhzhia region (EvaKarene_Bartlett). Russia's Vienna arms-control delegate Yulia Zhdanova said Ukraine has become a leading hub of the international arms black market with the West's tacit consent (sputnikserbia_rss); Zakharova said Moscow will distribute its Bucha "staging" report at the assembly sessions (sputnikmundo_rss).

Lavrov Opens New York Program With Rubio; Kremlin on Putin-Trump Meetings

Lavrov arrived to lead Russia's delegation with more than 30 sideline meetings planned; talks with Secretary of State Rubio were the first item on his Wednesday program (sputnikserbia_rss, rt_french_rss, sputnikvietnam_rss). Peskov said Putin remains ready for a new meeting with Trump, with no timing or venue yet and preparations required (mehrnews, sputnikmundo_rss); Moscow stays open to talks despite Kyiv's "terrorist activity," and Zelensky may come to Moscow if he wishes, with security guaranteed (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikvietnam_rss). The FSB said it foiled a plot to bomb a vehicle in a senior official's motorcade in Moscow (rt_french_rss) and arrested a Kerch resident for treason over online fundraising for Ukraine's military and passing air-defense and military site locations to the SBU (sputnikvietnam_rss).

EU Brakes on Zelensky: Aid Conditional, Sanctions Extended to 2029

Zelensky's meeting with Commission President von der Leyen in New York was tense: Brussels contests some of Kyiv's stated needs, is linking part of its budget support to reforms and wants other partners to contribute more, after Ukraine requested €26 billion to cover an unforeseen deficit (rt_french_rss, rt_spanish_rss, sputnikbrasil_rss). The EU Council extended Ukraine-related sanctions on over 3,000 individuals and entities for 36 months, to September 22, 2029 (1087968996); the EU economy commissioner acknowledged "a certain fatigue" among member states after years of sanctions on Russia (rt_french_rss). NABU's semiannual reports detail millions in corruption losses in Ukraine since 2022 (sputnikbrasil_rss). Slovakia's Fico complained European fuel prices are rising while Brussels focuses only on Ukraine (sputnikvietnam_rss).

Germany and the Baltics: Conscription Backlash and Drone-Shield Requests

German youth groups called nationwide school strikes for Friday against conscription, saying the Bundeswehr has already begun summoning young conscientious objectors to compulsory registration despite political assurances (rtde_live_rss). RT DE tallied more than €100 billion in German civilian and military support for Ukraine since 2022, with €11.5 billion in further military aid planned for 2026 — against austerity for German pensioners (rtde_live_rss). Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia requested a further €500 million from the European Commission for drone defense against the alleged "Russian threat" (rtde_live_rss, sputnikserbia_rss). Poland's President Nawrocki said a permanent US base — "Fort Trump" — is "a matter of time," with infrastructure preparations begun and completion sought before 2029 (rt_french_rss). NATO Secretary General Rutte said allies depended excessively on Washington for defense (sputnikbrasil_rss), while US envoy Whitaker said the alliance is less prepared for new challenges than it should be (sputnikvietnam_rss).

Balkans and Europe Briefs

EU foreign policy chief Kallas, after separate New York meetings with Vučić and Kurti, said the Ohrid agreement is binding and that progress on normalization and the EU path "must go hand in hand" (sputnikserbia_rss). Montenegro's Knežević told the Ukrainian embassy not to expect him to "stop loving Russia" (sputnikserbia_rss); Croatia's Milanović said the EU "is not democratic" in how it fills its top posts (sputnikserbia_rss); Vučević called it shameful that Croatia's PM lectures Serbia at the UN while Zagreb rehabilitates Ustaše symbols (sputnikserbia_rss). North Macedonia arrested a former KLA member on a Serbian warrant (sputnikserbia_rss). Spain's Sánchez said it is "evident" Moroccan border control failed when more than 70,000 people crossed into Ceuta on July 30-31 (rt_french_rss); Spain's FM said Madrid will drop Russian energy imports despite existing long-term contracts (sputnikvietnam_rss). Moldova is buying far costlier gas from European traders that experts say is still Russian in origin (rtde_live_rss). Russia's UN mission said there is no clear front-runner among eight candidates to succeed Guterres after three rounds of indicative Security Council votes (tass_rss, tass_rss).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

US War Dissent Grows; Navy Readiness Strain Reported

Senator Bernie Sanders demanded Trump stop threatening Iran, saying calls for the "annihilation" of a country's population constitute "a war crime and a barbaric act" the US should never be associated with (irna_1313). Former Bush-era official Bill Kristol called the UN speech "deeply depressing," writing that every country now sees America "under the sway of a foolish narcissist" (farsna). A US magazine reported the aging US destroyer fleet faces growing maintenance strain on resources and crews from sustained operations against Iran (sputnikbrasil_rss). Trump lashed out at the reporters who covered his speech, calling them "sick," "traitors" and "deranged" (rt_spanish_rss).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

Trump Meets Venezuela's Rodríguez as Maduro Sits in Brooklyn Prison

Trump and interim President Delcy Rodríguez met for the first time at the Lotte New York Palace, under 15 km from the Brooklyn prison where Maduro has been held since US forces seized him nearly nine months ago; her office released photos of what she called a "historic meeting," attended by FM Plasencia, covering a bilateral agenda on energy, mining, security and other common interests (presstv, rt_spanish_rss, sputnikmundo_rss). The meeting came eight months after the US armed incursion and as Venezuelan oil flows to the US; Machado made three unsuccessful attempts to return to Venezuela in the hours beforehand (rtde_live_rss, rt_spanish_rss).

Malvinas Dispute Flares at the UN

British PM Burnham told the assembly the archipelago's inhabitants have the right to "remain British" and warned "we will remain firm," amid Argentina's renewed claim (rt_spanish_rss). Argentina formally protested London's backing for a five-year extension of all offshore oil and gas licenses around the islands, vowing diplomatic, economic and legal action; sanctions procedures are already running against 60 foreign firms and individuals (1087968996).

Brazil and Argentina Briefs

Folha reported the World Bank signed an agreement with NobleReach — an organization tied to US intelligence and defense structures — to train eight US citizens for bank offices in Brazil, Panama and Colombia (sputnikbrasil_rss). Milei received the Ohev Yisrael award at a New York Jewish school for his defense of the Jewish people, leaping and raising his fist as the crowd chanted "the people of Israel lives" (rt_spanish_rss).

🌍 CENTRAL ASIA

Pakistan Says It Downed Eight Taliban Drones

Amid rising military tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, Pakistan's military said its air force and army thwarted an attempt to target civilian sites, downing four drones in mountainous areas near Kohat and four more near Torkham (farsna, mehrnews).

🌍 EAST ASIA

Briefs

Vietnam's Tô Lâm told the assembly Hanoi backs Palestine and UN reform amid deep shifts in the international order (sputnikvietnam_rss). Musk, in a CMG interview, called Xi Jinping "a great leader" under whom China has prospered (yt_cgtnespanol).

🌍 AFRICA

South Sudan's Kiir Dissolves Transition Government

President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government and named an interim administration three months before elections scheduled for December 22, a move following electoral-law amendments that has raised concerns over concentrated power (rt_french_rss).

Rwanda and Belgium Restore Diplomatic Relations

The two countries' foreign ministers announced the resumption of ties after months of meetings; embassies will reopen headed by chargés d'affaires, with Qatar credited for facilitating their first post-rupture meeting in Doha (1087968996).

Africa Briefs

Moroccans voted in legislative elections for 395 deputies, with employment, purchasing power, health and education dominating the campaign (rt_french_rss). Tunisia signed more than €200 million in African Development Bank loans for water and industry projects (rt_french_rss); Algeria reaffirmed support for Niger's petroleum sector and the trans-Saharan gas pipeline (rt_french_rss), and its justice minister announced the death penalty will be applied to drug traffickers (rt_french_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"Having a regime change by bombing a country is not something I think feasible... it doesn't work, and we did this mistake several times in the past decades." — Emmanuel Macron, French President (tabzlive)

"You cannot claim compassion for human rights while remaining silent — and cooperating — in the face of the crimes of America and the Zionist regime." — Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister (farsna)

"[Trump's] words responded not to authority, but to desperation." — Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman (rt_spanish_rss)

"Calls for the 'annihilation' of a country's population are a war crime and a barbaric act." — Bernie Sanders, US Senator (irna_1313)

"The Golan Heights are Syrian territory recognized by the United Nations... not negotiable." — Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrian Transitional President (irna_1313)