Houthi Escalation Against Saudi Arabia and US-Iran Diplomacy
The week was dominated by the Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia and the international reactions it drew. At the same time, Washington and Tehran traded threats and messages on the sidelines of the UN meetings. Meanwhile, Washington signed an agreement on Greenland, and strikes between Ukraine and Russia intensified.
Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia
On September 20, the Houthis said they had targeted sites they described as sensitive in Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile the group fired toward Riyadh. The UN warned that renewed fighting in Yemen had displaced more than 112,000 people. On September 21, CNN reported a fire of unknown cause at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and Saudi authorities offered no official comment. On September 23, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would honor its commitments to Saudi Arabia, and on September 25 Macron announced that France would deploy defense resources, including military personnel, to help protect a key oil export facility. On September 26, the Security Council condemned the attacks, and the Yemeni presidency declared general mobilization.
- Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts Houthi Ballistic Missile Aimed at Riyadh
- Houthis Claim Attacks on Riyadh and Aramco Site in Yanbu as UN Warns of Mass Displacement
- CNN Reports Houthi Escalation Against Saudi Arabia Amid Riyadh Airport Fire
- Rubio Says US Will Honor Commitments to Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Escalation
- Macron announces French troops, defense systems for Saudi Arabia
- UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia amid Yemen escalation
Iran and the US: pressure, threats and negotiating channels
On September 22, the US Treasury Secretary said economic pressure would halt Iranian airline operations from September 23, and Washington refused visas to some members of President Pezeshkian's delegation. On September 23, Trump threatened, in a meeting with Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the General Assembly, to strike Iran's Jabal al-Fa'as site, suspected of being a nuclear facility. The same day he said a three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation was very productive, and Iranian media reported that Araghchi met envoy Steve Witkoff and discussed Tehran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Trump described the choice as a deal or annihilation and said he expects an agreement after the midterm elections. On September 26, Araghchi said Tehran had passed Washington, via Qatar, a seven-day plan to reopen the strait, conditional on US compliance with Iranian demands, adding…
- US Threatens to Ground Iranian Airlines, Denies Visas to Pezeshkian's Delegation
- Trump Renews Threat to Strike Suspected Iranian Nuclear Site in Talks with Gulf Leaders
- Iran Confirms Araghchi-Witkoff Meeting at UN After Trump Reveals Talks with Iranian Delegation
- Trump Says He Faces Major Decision on Iran: 'Deal or Obliteration'
- Trump Says US-Iran Officials Held 'Extremely Productive' Three-Hour Meeting
- Iran says it sent US a 7-day plan via Qatar to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Greenland: from announcement to signing
On September 20, Washington and Copenhagen announced an agreement on Greenland after months of Trump's threats to annex the island. Trump said the deal gives the United States permanent control over security matters, while Danish officials declined to confirm its details. On September 22, the White House said Trump would take part in a three-way signing ceremony with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland. On September 23, Trump signed an agreement expanding the US military presence on the island.
Speeches at the UN General Assembly
On September 23, the emir of Qatar called for placing the Palestinian cause at the heart of any just international order, described what has happened in Gaza as genocide, and warned that the Gulf crisis could affect the global economy. Jordan's king called for holding Israel to account and warned of its moves in Syria. On September 24, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the war in his country had ended and that the Golan would remain Syrian land. The same day, Israeli authorities reported that the son of Israel's ambassador to Washington was seriously injured in a car-ramming attack at a West Bank checkpoint. On September 25, Netanyahu attacked Iran, Turkey and Hezbollah in his speech, and several delegations left the hall before it began.
- Qatar's Emir Tells UN: No Just World Order While Palestine Remains a 'Blind Spot'
- Qatar's Emir Warns Gulf Crisis Threatens Global Economy
- Jordan's King Abdullah Calls for Accountability Over Israeli Moves in Palestinian Territories and Syria
- Syria's al-Sharaa tells UN Golan Heights will remain Syrian territory
- Israeli ambassador's son seriously hurt in West Bank car-ramming attack
- Netanyahu attacks Iran, Turkey and Hezbollah in UN speech amid delegate walkout
Ukraine and Russia: long-range strikes
On September 21, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow and surrounding areas since the war began, coinciding with the final day of Russia's presidential election. Russian authorities said two people were killed, reports indicated a refinery was hit, and flights were suspended at two airports in the capital. On September 26, Zelensky said Trump had told him he had decided to allow Kyiv to produce Patriot missiles.
What to watch
Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington, which began on September 24, includes an anticipated summit with Trump. Iran's proposed plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz awaits a decision from Washington, and Israeli elections are scheduled for October 27.
This review was prepared with the help of AI from the summaries Lamha published during the week, and may contain errors. Spotted one? Let us know