COMBATE Digest - combate-20260928-1200Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

Eight US Marines Injured in Iranian Missile Strike on Navy Ship in Hormuz

NBC reported, citing US officials, that eight US Marines were injured two weeks ago in an Iranian cruise missile attack on a US Navy ship in the Strait of Hormuz (sputnikindia_rss, rt_all_rss). The Marines showed concussion-like symptoms but returned to duty shortly after the attack; the Pentagon declined to comment (rt_spanish_rss).

Khamenei: Enemy Will Soon Be Driven From the Arabian Sea

In his Sacred Defense Week message marking two years since Nasrallah's death, Iran's Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said US forces no longer venture into Hormuz because of the "painful blows" inflicted by "brave fighters and guardians" of the strait — and will soon leave the Arabian Sea as well (rt_spanish_rss). "Those days to which our enemy dreams of returning have ended and will never be repeated," he said (rt_spanish_rss). He praised Nasrallah, saying that after the prophets and their successors no man as great as him had risen in the Levant (farsna).

Brent Tops $107; Trump Weighs Diesel Export Ban

Brent rose 3.29% to $107.75 a barrel and WTI to $95.55 in early trading on September 28, after Trump rejected a peace deal with Iran that foresaw reopening Hormuz (rt_french_rss). Markets saw heavy risk-asset selling with bonds and the dollar rising on the prospect of a prolonged conflict keeping the waterway shut (rt_spanish_rss). Trump said he is again studying "very seriously" a ban on US diesel exports to curb fuel prices (sputnikbrasil_rss) and claimed the US facilitated passage of more than 20 million barrels of oil through Hormuz over the weekend (sputnikbrasil_rss). Gold fell below $4,250 an ounce — its lowest since August 5 — having lost a fifth of its value this year (sputnikserbia_rss).

Iran Tells UN Trump's Destruction Threats Violate International Law

Iran sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Guterres and the Security Council president accusing Trump of a clear threat to Iran's existence, stating his declarations about destroying the country contradict international law and the UN Charter (sputnikarabic_rss). Araghchi told NBC Iran is fully prepared for the war to resume but has not abandoned diplomacy — and that despite Trump's public remarks, Washington has not formally conveyed its rejection through mediators; Tehran's demands (unfreezing assets, resuming oil sales) are "not new requests" (1087968996). Axios reported a new indirect round could begin as early as September 28 with Qatari mediation, with Iran seeking talks on Hormuz transit and lifting the naval blockade while Washington demands nuclear concessions (1087968996); the WSJ previously reported Trump told aides he might resume bombing Iran after the November midterm elections (1087968996).

Pezeshkian: Iran Ready to Help Resolve Saudi-Yemen Conflict

Speaking to Al Jazeera, President Pezeshkian said regional states can ensure their own security and urged Muslims to join hands; on Yemen he distanced Tehran from direct involvement, calling Saudis and Yemenis "brothers" who should not fight, and said Iran is ready to help resolve the conflict rather than fuel it (cgtn_europe). He also said the US can only dream of erasing Iran from the map or destroying it (sputnikserbia_rss).

Ben Gvir Threatens to "Execute" Prisoner; Smotrich Urges War and Annexation

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir published a video admitting to a Palestinian prisoner that he is responsible for the inmate's harsh conditions, adding: "But this doesn't end here. I want to kill you. I want to execute you" (rt_spanish_rss). Hamas said the threats will not weaken the resolve of the prisoners (mehrnews). Finance Minister Smotrich said "I think we must go to war" and wants Israel to annex "at least to the yellow line in Gaza and up to the Litani river in Lebanon" (rt_spanish_rss).

IDF Kills Hamas Sniper in Southern Gaza

The IDF said it eliminated Adi Adli Abd Al-Aaser, a sniper in Hamas' military wing, accusing him of advancing attacks on troops and civilians and working to restore the group's capabilities "in systematic violation of the ceasefire" (idfofficial). Press TV reporter Naqaa Hamed was released after nearly two weeks in Damon Prison following a Salem Military Court decision (presstv).

Israel Revokes Dutch Diplomats' Status Over Settlement-Goods Ban

Israel revoked the diplomatic status of Dutch diplomats serving in Palestine after the Netherlands banned the import and trade of products from Israeli settlements (presstv). Foreign Minister Saar said staff at the Ramallah representation must return their Israeli-issued documents within seven days, after which their privileges lapse — retaliation for The Hague's three-year ban on settlement goods effective September 22 (1087968996).

Netanyahu Prepares ICC Case Against Erdogan

i24News reported Netanyahu instructed an inter-ministeral team and the International Law Department to prepare an ICC case against President Erdogan, focused on Turkey's treatment of its Kurdish minority and alleged state funding of Hamas (sputnikvietnam_rss).

UPDATE: Egypt Warned Israel Three Times Before October 7

The Wall Street Journal, citing Egyptian officials, says Cairo warned Israeli authorities three times about the impending Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 (sputnikindia_rss); Western media relayed the same account (sputnikvietnam_rss).

Around West Asia

Iran exported 70 million barrels of oil from Kharg terminal during the 40-day war — a 10% rise in average exports over the period, the oil terminals company chief said (mehrnews). The carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt sailed from San Diego toward a Middle East deployment, likely to replace the George Washington (N12chat). An IRIAF C-130 Hercules and an Il-76 landed at Mehrabad airport in Tehran over the past few hours (tabzlive).

🌍 EUROPE

UPDATE: Brnabic Becomes Acting Serbian President; Kremlin Reacts

Vucic formally handed the presidential function to parliament speaker Ana Brnabic, who will act as president until a new head of state is elected (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikvietnam_rss). Under the constitution the resignation takes effect upon delivery, with a presidential vote due within three months (1087968996). Peskov said Russia-Serbia relations are "far more important than relations with individuals" (sputnikserbia_rss), and a Russian senator said policy toward Russia will remain unchanged (sputnikserbia_rss). Vucic said every meeting with European leaders "was torture" (rt_spanish_rss). A Republic of Srpska delegation led by PM Savo Minić and Milorad Dodik arrived in Moscow for a multi-day visit, with a meeting with Putin announced for Tuesday (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikserbia_rss).

France: National Rally Forms First-Ever Senate Group

In elections renewing 178 of 348 Senate seats, the RN and its ally UDR formed a Senate group for the first time, LFI won its first senator, and the right-center alliance kept the majority it has held since 2014 (rt_french_rss). Bardella announced the group, and Le Pen called the result better than expected and a "historic victory" (1087968996).

Kallas: EU States Should Send Kyiv Their Own Air-Defense Missiles

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on member states to transfer existing air-defense interceptor missiles from their own reserves to Ukraine and restock later with new production — "You'll be compensated later" (sputnikserbia_rss). She acknowledged the EU still has major defense capability gaps despite rising spending (sputnikbrasil_rss).

Hungary Lifts Prime Minister Magyar's Immunity

Parliament stripped PM Péter Magyar's immunity at prosecutors' request over an autumn 2024 incident in which the anti-corruption-flagbearer took another guest's phone in a Budapest nightclub and threw it into the Danube; immunity was also lifted for two ex-ministers who are MPs (sputnikserbia_rss, rtde_live_rss, rt_spanish_rss).

EU Prepares Accession Roadmaps

The European Commission is preparing roadmaps for Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania that would give the four candidates clearer deadlines and conditions for progress toward membership (sputnikserbia_rss, rt_spanish_rss).

Russia-Ukraine: Dobropolie Pincer Closes; Trump Presses Zelensky on Refineries

Russian forces liberated Novovodyanoye in the DNR (sputnikindia_rss, sputnikvietnam_rss) and Ulanovo in Sumy region — a border area used to launch attacks on Russian territory (rt_spanish_rss). Ukrainian forces in Dobropolie are encircled after repeated failed breakout attempts, with the pincer giving Russia control of a key Donbass supply node (sputnikvietnam_rss); Tsentr group drone operators cleared 94 buildings and killed more than 30 trapped Ukrainian troops (sputnikarabic_rss), with Ukraine losing over 1,300 troops across fronts in 24 hours, the Russian MoD said (sputnikbrasil_rss). Russian forces struck fuel infrastructure in Kiev supporting the Ukrainian military (sputnikindia_rss) and destroyed two Kiev data centers serving the armed forces (rt_spanish_rss). A Ukrainian drone hit civilians being evacuated from Belitskoye in the DNR, killing one man and wounding two women (sputnikvietnam_rss); a rail bridge collapsed after a Ukrainian attack with wagons derailing, without injuries (rt_spanish_rss); German manufacturer Kärcher reported its Ukrainian warehouse completely destroyed by shelling (rtde_live_rss). Trump said he asked Zelensky to reduce strikes on Russian refineries — "You're creating global problems" — and Zelensky answered he might agree (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikindia_rss). Peskov said Ukraine "will pay the price" for its recent actions (sputnikserbia_rss).

Europe Briefs

The FSB put London-based ex-model Ksenia Maximova — an official of the "undesirable" Russian Democratic Society UK — on an international wanted list over membership in a designated terrorist organization, facing 10–20 years if convicted (tass_rss, rtde_live_rss); the FSB said London's bid to build a "second Russia" through puppet organizations is doomed and "we know the names" of all who side with it (sputnikserbia_rss). Lukashenko replaced the chief of Belarus's General Staff and made 28 command appointments, saying the country must be ready "for the most serious conflicts" (sputnikserbia_rss). The Valdai Club's annual meeting moved from Sochi to the Moscow region for logistical reasons amid record participation (sputnikglobe_rss). Pierre de Gaulle, grandson of the general, said it would be an honor to receive Russian citizenship, with the decision up to Putin (sputnikserbia_rss).

🌍 EAST ASIA

US-China Trade Truce Extended; $30 Billion Reciprocal Tariff Cuts

Beijing said the trade truce extension with the US to January 10 opens space for new negotiations and assessment of existing agreements (sputnikserbia_rss, rt_spanish_rss). China's Commerce Ministry detailed the eighth round of talks: a bilateral Trade Council and a framework lowering tariffs on roughly $30 billion of imports each way, with over 90% of goods returning to most-favored-nation rates — the US cutting duties on toys, appliances, baby goods and kitchenware, China on agricultural products, personal-care items, medical devices and coal (1087968996, 1087968996). Trump hailed "tremendous progress" from his meeting with Xi (rt_spanish_rss).

Russia Warns Japan Over Typhon Missiles

Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko said Moscow does not believe Japan's promises to remove Typhon missile systems after exercises with the US and Australia, warning such steps "will not go without consequences" (sputnikglobe_rss). China's coast guard held a law-enforcement drill near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, practicing inspections, interception of intruders and forced towage (yt_cgtnespanol).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

Colombia's President De la Espriella announced his finance minister and economic team will meet the IMF to resolve the country's fiscal crisis (sputnikbrasil_rss). Lula proposed that Supreme Federal Court justices be chosen by a council so civil society participates in the process (sputnikbrasil_rss).

🌍 AFRICA

Niger denounced attempts by former colonial powers to impose tutelage, declaring "our resources make them salivate" in a swipe at "the France of Emmanuel Macron and its allies" (rt_spanish_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"I want to kill you. I want to execute you." — Itamar Ben Gvir, Israeli National Security Minister (rt_spanish_rss)

"The enemy does not venture to enter Hormuz and will soon leave the Arabian Sea." — Mojtaba Khamenei, Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution (rt_spanish_rss)

"You're creating global problems." — Donald Trump, US President, on his message to Zelensky over strikes on Russian refineries (sputnikserbia_rss)

"You'll be compensated later." — Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, on EU states sending air-defense missiles to Ukraine (sputnikserbia_rss)

"Flawless logistics for war, but broken logistics for food." — Nepal's Prime Minister, UN General Assembly address (rtde_live_rss)