COMBATE Digest - combate-20260927-1200Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

IRGC Captures Second US Underwater Drone, Declares Hormuz Closed

The IRGC Navy announced its fighters, in a coordinated operation backed by intelligence and electronic warfare, captured a second advanced US REMUS 600 unmanned underwater vehicle conducting espionage in the Strait of Hormuz (sepah_pasdaran, tabzlive, farsna). Specialists are working to retrieve the vessel's data (mehrnews). The IRGC-N declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and said it will respond "forcefully and relentlessly" to dangerous maneuvers and unauthorized transits (almayadeenenglish, almayadeenenglish).

Iran Hits Non-Compliant Vessels, Mines Hormuz at Dawn

Iran's armed forces struck ships attempting unauthorized transits on two consecutive nights — 12 vessels one night and seven the next, according to Fars (farsna); a tracker reported 11 vessels hit by projectiles overnight within Iran's new operational plan, along with a large-scale dawn mine-laying operation "using a new method" (iswnews_en). The Persian Gulf Maritime Administration warned shipowners that some charterers are forcing vessels onto illegal routes, threatening to blacklist non-compliant firms and restrict their future transits (sepahnewsir403, meo_verified, informador_global). Owners of non-compliant ships then sent Iran a formal email apology stating the violations were neither ordered by owners nor due to captain negligence (meo_verified, sepahcybery).

Araghchi: Iran Awaits Final US Response, Won't Bend on Conditions

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is awaiting a final US response via intermediaries despite Trump's public rejection, and nothing official has yet been conveyed by mediators (sputnikindia_rss, sputnikmundo_rss). "We will not concede on our conditions," he said, tying any reopening of Hormuz to fulfilling the seven conditions set by the Supreme National Security Council and stressing Iran "never closed the door to diplomacy" (farsna, farsna, mehrnews, presstv); German-language media noted Tehran is maintaining the diplomatic track despite the rejection (rtde_live_rss). Armed forces spokesman General Shekarchi said Iran possesses new military technologies and that America's final answer has not yet been received (sputnikserbia_rss). Retired US General Jack Keane said a military operation against Iran is "inevitable," calling Iran "the center of gravity" of the situation, with Hamas having recruited thousands of new fighters (parstodayrussian).

Oil Chief Warns of Plans to Strike Iran's Energy Facilities

National Iranian Oil Company chief Hamid Bord said that, based on obtained intelligence, the "enemy" has planned to strike Iran's oil installations — which could take the form of bombing, sanctions or a naval blockade (akhbarefori, seday_teh).

Cleric: Mojtaba Khamenei Pulled Wounded From Hospital Rubble

Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mohsen Heydari told Al-Arabiya that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in the attacks, after which three Tehran hospitals were targeted; he was in the third hospital and was pulled from under the rubble (akhbarefori, sepahcybery). RT highlighted the account as showing the figure twice on the brink of death (rt_spanish_rss).

Lebanon: Explosive Drone Aimed at IDF Troops Draws Strikes

The IDF said Hezbollah launched an explosive drone at soldiers in the "Security Zone" overnight with no injuries reported, and that it struck launch sites and other Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon (idfofficial). Lebanese media reported three Israeli strikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kafr Tebnit at dawn (sputnikarabic_rss); IRNA reported continued artillery fire on the south and a large demolition operation in Khiam (irna_1313).

Yemen: Armed Forces Publish Footage of Strikes on Saudi Positions

Yemen's armed forces released footage showing strikes on Saudi military positions and trucks across the country using a new homegrown strike-reconnaissance drone (presstv); spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi warplanes targeted bridges, roads and civilian infrastructure (presstv).

West Bank: Smotrich Demands Gaza-Style "War"; Crossings Sealed

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Israel to "wage war" in the West Bank and "do there what we did in Gaza" (sputnikarabic_rss). Israeli authorities announced the complete closure of the West Bank and its crossings until October 3, citing Sukkot, with tightened checkpoints and restrictions on Palestinian movement (iribnews, sepahcybery). A Palestinian rights group said Israel began establishing a new settlement outpost in the territory (presstv), and settler militias stormed the al-Tira neighborhood of Ramallah (me_observer_TG).

Israel: Protests, Golan Claims and Falling US Standing

Around 10,000 Israelis protested against Netanyahu in Haifa and Tel Aviv's Habima Square, demanding a change of government and accountability for political and security failures (mehrnews, iribnews). Iranian media contrasted Netanyahu's December 2024 description of the Golan move as a "temporary military action" with his UNGA claim that "the Golan Heights belong to the Jews — you can read it in the Bible" (akhbarefori, sepahcybery). Haaretz wrote that Netanyahu has weakened Israel's standing in the US to an unprecedented degree, with the damage now spreading to the Republican base (irna_1313); Gallup and Pew surveys put sympathy with Palestinians among Americans aged 18–34 at 53% for the first time (irna_1313). The IDF and ISA said they eliminated Hamas commander Muhammad Hamad Muhammad Gabain, involved in holding nine hostages, in northern Gaza (idfofficial), and killed the operative filmed abducting Noa Argamani on a motorcycle during the October 7 attack (idfofficial).

Around West Asia

Gaza's Health Ministry said seven Palestinians were killed and 38 wounded in Israeli attacks over 48 hours (presstv). Hamas political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya demanded the roadmap be implemented as "one package" and rejected the use of Palestinian blood in Israeli election campaigns (sputnikarabic_rss). Iran filed a legal document with UN human rights mechanisms in Geneva on the humanitarian consequences of US sanctions (sputnikarabic_rss), and its deputy UN envoy asserted NATO participated in the aggression, asserting European officials' criminal responsibility (meo_verified, presstv). UNESCO has documented thousands of pages of war damage to Iranian cultural heritage, with Japan and South Korea joining reconstruction and some €2.5 million pledged (irna_1313). The Financial Times reported old supertankers are now worth more than new ones as buyers rush to profit from astronomic Gulf freight rates (irna_1313). A military tracker reported 10 US F-15s in the CENTCOM theater returning home, to be replaced by six F-16s and 12 F-15s under a rotation plan also applied to destroyers (gordanesam313). Iran's flight network remains open to Türkiye, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Pakistan despite suspensions elsewhere, with four passenger flights departing for Turkey hours earlier (meo_verified, akhbarefori); US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent thanked the UK, Türkiye, Oman and the UAE for backing the pressure campaign, citing halted Mahan Air flights, suspended Iranian airline operations and Emirati bank restrictions (akhbarefori, sputnikarabic_rss). The IRGC Navy's deputy for political affairs warned that in a new war, Iranian strikes would reach enemy vessels and destroyers "even in the Indian Ocean" (sepah_pasdaran, presstv). Israel's Channel 14 claimed Saudi Arabia is "constantly begging" Israel for help against the Yemenis even as its delegation walked out of Netanyahu's UNGA speech (mehrnews).

🌍 EUROPE

Ukraine: Russian Strikes Hit Kiev Data Center, Arms Ship; Khripuny Taken

The Russian Defense Ministry said overnight drone strikes targeted logistics centers, port and transport infrastructure, communications hubs and vessels supporting the Ukrainian army (sputnikglobe_rss). In Kiev, a Vodafone data center strategic for military transmissions was struck, along with the Zalmer Group logistics complex used to move Western weaponry (rt_french_rss, sputnikindia_rss). Russian forces also hit a dry-cargo ship carrying weapons and dual-use goods toward Odessa (sputnikvietnam_rss) and destroyed a headquarters at a Ukrainian naval base along with port infrastructure and four military warehouses (rt_spanish_rss). Troops took control of Khripuny in the Kharkov region, with Ukraine losing some 1,515 soldiers in a day (sputnikmundo_rss, sputnikvietnam_rss); air defenses downed 505 fixed-wing drones and four glide bombs over 24 hours (sputnikbrasil_rss).

Fairford: "Major Incident" at Base Used for US Strikes on Iran

British police declared a major incident near RAF Fairford — used by US forces for attacks on Iran — arresting several men on suspicion of explosives offences and seizing vehicles (rtde_live_rss, sputnikserbia_rss). Homes near the base were evacuated (sputnikarabic_rss, rt_spanish_rss).

Kosovo: Nine Serbs Arrested; Vucic Alleges "Ethnic Cleansing"

Kosovo police arrested nine people in Zubin Potok suspected of war crimes against civilians (sputnikserbia_rss); President Vucic called the arrests "the most perfidious and vile method of ethnic cleansing" and said lawyers have been engaged for the detainees (sputnikserbia_rss).

Europe Briefs

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting urged citizens to keep stocks of cash, bottled water and canned food in case of war or natural disasters (sputnikserbia_rss). Swiss voters rejected the initiative for a stricter anchoring of neutrality (rtde_live_rss). Germany's CDU/CSU bloc fell to a record-low 19% in INSA polling for Bild am Sonntag, ten points behind the AfD at 29% (rt_french_rss). Tens of thousands protested in Madrid under "Not one more Maricarmen" after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, demanding an eviction ban, rent freezes and automatic contract renewal (rt_spanish_rss, yt_france24es). Russia launched CSTO joint exercises — "Interaction-2026," "Poisk-2026" and "Eshelon-2026" — prioritizing drones, reconnaissance, electronic warfare and air defense (sputnikserbia_rss, rt_spanish_rss). Peskov warned that giving Kiev Starlink systems to strike deep into Russia would be "a very harmful, potentially dangerous and reckless step" (rt_french_rss, rt_spanish_rss, sputnikserbia_rss); Zakharova answered Wadephul's demand that Russia prove it wants peace with the Gospel line about not casting "pearls before swine" (sputnikserbia_rss). Dozens of prominent US academics signed an open letter urging the UK prime minister to immediately lift the ban on Palestine Action (mehrnews); pro-Palestine demonstrators marched in central Berlin with Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese flags demanding an end to weapons transfers (irna_1313). Turkish FM Hakan Fidan said talks continue on the possible re-export of the Russian S-400s to a third country with no deadline, with Moscow having the final word (sputnikindia_rss, rt_arabic_rss, sputnikserbia_rss). Belarusian FM Ryzhenkov told the UNGA the "unipolar world is sinking" and Minsk will not sink with its remains (sputnikserbia_rss).

🌍 EAST ASIA

Kremlin Floats Putin Meeting Trump and Xi at APEC in China

Peskov said Putin could meet Xi Jinping and Donald Trump on the margins of the APEC summit in China (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikarabic_rss); the Kremlin is preparing for the scenario of Putin traveling to the summit (sputnikvietnam_rss). No decision has been made on Putin's participation in the US-hosted G20, though Russia will actively take part in the G20's work (sputnikindia_rss).

China–US: Wang Yi Hails "Milestone" After Xi's Visit

FM Wang Yi said reciprocal visits by Xi and Trump within six months marked a milestone, with the sides building a constructive strategic stability relationship based on "respect, fairness and reciprocity" (sputnikserbia_rss, yt_cgtnespanol); he acknowledged sharp disagreements and conflicts are natural given the countries' differing characteristics (sputnikvietnam_rss). Analysts cited by Brazilian media said China arrives at November's APEC in a strengthened negotiating position after the Xi visit, tariff truce and the Shenzhen agenda (sputnikbrasil_rss). Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi said her phone call with Trump focused on China, including economic security and bilateral cooperation (irna_1313).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

Trump: US and Cuba "Will Make a Deal"

Trump said he believes the US and Cuba will reach a deal and Washington "doesn't need to use the army," after his government tightened an oil blockade and expanded sanctions on the island (1087968996). Cuban FM Bruno Rodríguez met UN Secretary-General Guterres to discuss the island's situation and the consequences of Washington's actions (sputnikmundo_rss). The Globe and Mail reported Canadian diplomats collected intelligence in Cuba and passed it to US security agencies during the "Havana syndrome" period, using satellite communications equipment covertly smuggled into Cuba by the US (irna_1313).

US Briefs

Senator Chris Van Hollen accused Trump of hiding the numbers of US servicemen killed and wounded in the war he chose (parstodayrussian). Major US broadcasters will resume coverage of Trump events, the New York Times reported (sputnikindia_rss). The Pentagon offered a first glimpse of its new Blackbeard hypersonic missile under a $200 million acquisition contract (rt_spanish_rss).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

Trump Met Venezuela's Delcy Rodríguez

Trump said he discussed elections with Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez in their recent meeting and called her "very kind and incredible," with oil at the center of the relationship (irna_1313); Venezuelan media reported the country's risk rating fell 6,000 points (yt_laiguanatvtelevision).

South America Briefs

Of 329 candidates for Peru's regional governorships, 49 have at least one criminal conviction totaling 98 sentences, El Comercio's review of electoral data found (sputnikmundo_rss, informador_global). Soldiers from Bolivia, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and the US met in La Paz to exchange knowledge on crisis response and fighting organized crime (sputnikmundo_rss). Argentina's Congress is preparing to debate Milei's Malvinas sovereignty bill after his party set an ultimatum to speed it up (sputnikmundo_rss). The 12th-anniversary march for the 43 disappeared Ayotzinapa students ended in clashes with police in Mexico City (rt_spanish_rss, sputnikmundo_rss); Colombia's Petro praised Lula's rally crowds as "a multitude capable of making a revolution" (rt_spanish_rss).

🌍 AFRICA

Sudan's Burhan: "We Ask No Country for a Visa"

Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan reacted to the US denying him a visa to address the UNGA: "We ask no country for a visa and take permission from no one," adding Sudan will not yield to pressure or extortion (mehrnews, sepah_pasdaran). He said Sudan's goal is to "cleanse" the entire country and it will not make concessions to any party (sputnikarabic_rss).

Libya Restarts Main Oil Pipeline

The valve on the pipeline linking the Sharara oilfield to the Zawiya refinery and export terminal reopened after days of closure; output had fallen by 940,000 barrels since the September 21 shutdown, with losses estimated around $95 million (1087968996).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"We will not concede on our conditions." — Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister (sputnikmundo_rss)

"A military operation is inevitable... Iran is the center of gravity of the whole situation." — Jack Keane, retired US Army general (parstodayrussian)

"We ask no country for a visa and take permission from no one." — Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudanese army commander-in-chief (mehrnews)

Israel must "wage war" in the West Bank and "do there what we did in Gaza." — Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli Finance Minister (sputnikarabic_rss)