US engaged in 'direct' talks with the Houthis, ‘we are on top of the situation’, Vance says | LIVE BLOG
The Israeli prime minister said forces destroyed a key Hezbollah stronghold on Lebanon’s Beaufort and Ali Taher ridges and vowed to eliminate further threats
A meeting between Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council countries in Salalah, expected to address a proposed Iran-Oman maritime shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, has been postponed. Oman’s foreign minister said the decision was made to foster consensus, adding that Muscat remains committed to regional dialogue, stability and lasting cooperation. This comes as the US continues to deal with weapons shortages. Boaz Levy, Chairman of the Board of Israel Aerospace Industries, warned that the war, ongoing for nearly three years, presents Israel with a continuous challenge in the form of a need for more interceptor missiles. However, US Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper tells US forces are well-armed and ready for any contingency, dismissing concerns over ammunition shortages or future threats.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF is preparing to take operational control of the Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah or other groups from reestablishing a presence there. Katz described the ridge as part of Israel’s “security zone” and warned that anyone approaching it would be targeted. He added that Israeli forces would not withdraw or redeploy until Hezbollah is disarmed across Lebanon. READ MORE FROM SUNDAY
US engaged in direct talks with Houthis
"We’ve been engaged in direct conversation with the Houthis themselves," Vice-President JD Vance said. "We actually feel like we are on top of the situation, it’s a very fluid and dynamic thing. We want to keep on monitoring it.”
Netanyahu claims major victory over Hezbollah, warns of heavier blows
"We have achieved another massive victory over Hezbollah. We have destroyed its major terror stronghold on the Beaufort and Ali Taher ridges. Our policy is clear: We will continue to destroy terror infrastructure within the security zone in Lebanon. We will continue to eliminate any threat to the State of Israel. And to our enemies, I say this: If you haven't learned the lesson by now and decide to attack us again, you will suffer even heavier blows. There is more work to be done, and with God's help, we will complete it."
Mali: At least 50 soldiers killed in jihadist attack on military base
At least 50 Malian soldiers and five Russian soldiers from the "Africa Corps" were killed in an attack on a base located in central Mali, according to local and security sources cited by AFP.
Several sources suggest a death toll of between 60 and 80. Dozens of soldiers are also reported to have been captured by the attackers. The Africa Corps, under the authority of the Russian Ministry of Defense, has replaced the Wagner Group in the country.
Netanyahu to travel to New York for the UN General Assembly
The Israeli Prime Minister will travel to New York from September 23 to 25, after Yom Kippur, to participate in the United Nations General Assembly, his office announced.
‘It was a good meeting,’ between the Saudi Crown Prince and CENTCOM chief, source familiar with the meeting tells i24NEWS
Iran summons Austria’s chargé d’affaires after Vienna failed to issue a visa to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran
Iran summoned Austria's chargé d'affaires on Monday after Vienna failed to issue a visa to Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said
Baghaei called the Austrian government's action "completely unjustified" and said Tehran had formally conveyed its protest
The denied entry, which came following pressure from the Trump administration, prevented Eslami from addressing the International Atomic Energy Agency's general conference in Vienna
Saudi crown prince, US Central Command chief discuss regional developments amid the escalating war with the Iran-aligned Houthis
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper on Monday, according to the Saudi Press Agency
MBS and Cooper discussed the latest regional developments as well as bilateral ties, amid reports of the US providing the Saudis intelligence on the Houthis
Yemen’s Houthis say they carried out a large-scale attack on King Khalid Air Base in southwestern Saudi Arabia
The terrorist group claims to have used dozens of ballistic missiles & drones
Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the operation is a response to over 300 Saudi airstrikes in the past 5 days
IDF says they arrested a terrorist in the West Bank who planned to carry out a shooting during Rosh Hashanah
On Saturday, IDF soldiers, guided by Shin Bet, operated in the area of Hebron and apprehended the terrorist Abd al-Rahman
The terrorist was planning to carry out a shooting attack against Israeli civilians in the immediate timeframe
Saudi-backed Yemeni armed forces retake positions infiltrated by Houthi militia southwest of Taiz - report
Trump: There’s not a lot of fighting in Gaza
While speaking to a gaggle of reporters before boarding Air Force One, US President Donald Trump praised envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for doing a “great job,” pointing to the return of hostages from Gaza as proof
President Trump also noted that “There's not a lot of fighting in Gaza,” and that “Hamas is now willing to give up their weapons”
Trump officials want to refocus future US-Iran negotiations on nuclear program – report
Trump administration officials have privately told Gulf leaders that they want to refocus any future US-Iran negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program and not reopening the strait, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN
This comes as a meeting of Gulf diplomats and Iranian officials, which was set to meet Monday to discuss an Omani plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to regular tanker traffic, got postponed
Saudi Arabia submitted amendments because it had concerns that the proposed language could effectively establish a new status quo that would not be acceptable to it or the other Gulf Cooperation Council states
Trump officials want to refocus future US-Iran negotiations on nuclear program – report
Trump administration officials have privately told Gulf leaders that they want to refocus any future US-Iran negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program and not reopening the strait, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN
This comes as a meeting of Gulf diplomats and Iranian officials, which was set to meet Monday to discuss an Omani plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to regular tanker traffic, was postponed
Saudi Arabia submitted amendments because it had concerns that the proposed language could effectively establish a new status quo that would not be acceptable to it or the other Gulf Cooperation Council states