BREAKING: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan are planning an urgent meeting of their military chiefs to discuss ways to support Saudi Arabia under the Mecca defense pact. This would be the first urgent meeting between the three countries since the Ansarullah attack. The pact states that an attack on one of the three countries is considered an attack on all three. It is unclear what form that support could take. French president Macron also said France will send military assets, including soldiers, radars and air defense systems to help protect Saudi Arabia. This comes after Trump refused to help Saudi Arabia fight Ansarullah in Yemen.

Yemen's PLC chairman, who is backed by Saudi Arabia has called on Yemenis to mobilize and join the army to fight Ansarullah. This comes as Ansarullah continues to capture territory held by Saudi-backed forces in Yemen.

It appears that the US has moved most of its warships away from Iran's coast. The ships had been deployed to support the US naval blockade of Iran. In early september IRGC tested the Qasem Basir anti-ship ballistic missile, which has a range of about 1,200 km. That range covers much of the Gulf of Oman and parts of the Arabian Sea, potentially putting US navy vessels operating across the region within striking range.

Intelligence received by the United States indicates Israel may resume large-scale attack against Iran in the near future. US intelligence believes Israel is trying to draw Iran into a 'TRAP' that would make Iran appear responsible for starting the escalation. Israel is stockpiling ammunition and redeploying military units, while the home front command raises its readiness for a potentially wider war. Meanwhile, JP also reports that Israeli intelligence detected an attempt by Iran to restart its nuclear program at Pickaxe Mountain. An Israeli official warned that Israel could again strike nuclear and related sites if Iran crosses its red lines, with or without US involvement.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are urging the Trump administration to keep economic pressure and the US naval blockade on Iran. Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman recently told US officials that the naval blockade should continue until Iran agrees to a new deal – WSJ

JUST IN: Ukrainian long-range drones struck Russia's Perm oil refinery this morning, one of Russia’s largest refineries. The facility is now on fire. The refinery is located around 1,500 km from Ukraine's border and is one of 6 major refineries that together produce about half of Russia's diesel. The strike comes despite President Trump urging Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure to help bring down energy prices.

Colombia has officially cut diplomatic ties with Iran, citing concerns over national and regional security, alleged links to terrorist and narcoterrorist groups and human rights violations.

CIA has warned Poland that Russia could target undersea telecommunications cables that are important for Europe's banking and financial systems, according to Newsweek Polska. US intelligence believes Russia has been tracking major undersea cables connecting Europe with North America, as well as cables across the Baltic Sea and between Britain and mainland Europe. Poland is now preparing its banking system for possible cable disruptions that could affect international money transfers and financial transactions.

China has continued supplying Iran with parts used in drones and ballistic missiles during its war with the US – WSJ Iranian customs records show around 1,300 shipments of dual-use parts from China to Iran's defense ministry during the first six months of 2026. The shipments included electronics, GPS devices, motors and aircraft parts. After the US naval blockade, Iran increased air cargo flights from China. Iran's Mahan Air made 39 flights from China during the first week of september.

CIA has warned European countries that Russia is preparing drone attacks against Mediterranean countries such as Spain, France and Italy, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo. The reported plan involves hiding Gerbera drones inside shipping containers on merchant ships and launching them from international waters. The drones could then reach targets hundreds of kilometers inland. According to our analysis, the possible goals could be: • Weaken support for Ukraine, create divisions within NATO and increase public fear without triggering a wider war. • Test NATO's Article 5 by carrying out 'grey-zone' attacks deep inside allied countries. • Force Europe to move air defenses away from frontline areas, stretching military resources and increasing public anxiety.

US is preparing to ban diesel exports for 90 days, the first such ban since 2015, as diesel prices hit a record $6.52 per gallon, according to Politico. The plan would bring diesel shipments meant for other countries back to the US to increase domestic supply and lower prices ahead of the november elections. US-Iran war and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have also pushed up pressure on global fuel supplies and prices.

BREAKING: Neria Leiter, son of Israel's Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter was critically injured in a car-ramming attack in the West Bank. His father said, 'Neria needs a miracle' In 2023, Leiter's other son, Major Moshe Yedidya Leiter, was killed in Gaza.

BREAKING: Another US service member died on september 18 amid the Iran war. Pentagon has added captain Bianca C. Wilkerson, 37 to its list of US military fatalities linked to the war with Iran, bringing the publicly disclosed death toll to 19. (However, US officials say the actual number of military deaths in the region is higher) Wilkerson died on september 18 in what the Pentagon described as a 'medical emergency.' She was posthumously promoted to major, making her the highest-ranking US service member reported killed in the war.

BREAKING: IRGC struck a cargo vessel on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz, a route Iran has declared illegal. The vessel caught fire and is now drifting, with 2 casualties reported. The vessel was attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz under US protection.

Global temperatures could rise by 3.25C by the end of the century under current policies, according to a recent Swiss-German study.

Iran has released the first handwritten note from supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, dated August 1, 2026. The note was addressed to IRGC Aerospace force commander Brigadier General Majid Mousavi and indicates that Mojtaba Khamenei remains in direct communication with senior government and military officials.

BREAKING: Saudi Arabia has resumed operations on its East-West oil pipeline, which carries crude to Yanbu on the Red Sea coast and bypasses the Strait of Hormuz – Reuters The pipeline was damaged by a drone strike weeks ago. The pipeline can transport 4 million barrels of oil per day to Yanbu, equal to about 4% of global oil supply.

China said it opposes the US sanctions on Iranian airlines after Washington announced plans to shut down Iranian airlines worldwide on september 23.

US diesel prices have reached a new record high of $6.51 per gallon. Prices have risen more than 73% since the war with Iran began in february. Prices could rise further globally as Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries continue and instability in the Middle East, caused by the US-Israeli war with Iran.

BREAKING: Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine. The strikes targeted: • Kryvyi Rih Metallurgical Plant • Pavlohrad Chemical Plant • Kremenchuk Oil Refinery • An unidentified industrial site in eastern Dnipro.