Iran

The headquarters of an Iranian opposition organisation in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, came under attack by two drones on Thursday. The attack caused material damage, but no casualties were reported, and the identity of the perpetrators has not been established.

The US Treasury Department has announced new sanctions targeting 17 vessels accused of transporting Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals. The department said the measure was part of its efforts to tighten economic pressure on Tehran and target the maritime transport of its products.

Iran has stepped up attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to pressure Washington, as the US Department of Defence prepares plans to strike Tehran. The developments come as fighting expands in Yemen and US President Donald Trump remains undecided about resuming the war.

According to assessments and analyses, Israel is considering carrying out a strike against Iran without direct US participation before the election scheduled for 27 October. The possibility is linked to Benjamin Netanyahu’s electoral calculations, fears that Iran could rebuild its capabilities, and the belief that mounting pressure could prompt Tehran to take military action.

US President Donald Trump said the United States was holding talks with Iran that he described as “fruitful”. He ruled out launching a US military attack on Iran before the congressional midterm elections, scheduled for 3 November.

The New York Times reported, citing US officials, that the US military is preparing options to resume large-scale military operations against Iran, while President Donald Trump has not decided whether to return to war, according to a report published on Friday.

The US Department of Defence has directed Central Command to complete preparations for the possible resumption of large-scale military operations against Iran, without setting a date for strikes or a final decision by President Donald Trump, as nuclear talks stall and contacts through Qatari mediators continue.

US President Donald Trump said the United States would not launch an attack on Iran before the midterm elections scheduled for early next month, referring to what he described as fruitful talks, while Tehran studies Washington’s comments on the “seven-day” plan amid continued US military preparations.

A police officer was killed in an attack targeting a security patrol in Zahedan, while an armed attack targeted a minibus carrying army ground forces employees in Nikshahr. Security units are continuing to pursue those responsible for the patrol attack after announcing that they had identified them.

The number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz fell to just 7 on Tuesday, the lowest level since 23 July, amid an escalation in attacks on tankers. Crude oil volumes passing through the strait declined by 27%, while higher exports from the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea helped offset the shortfall.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker was targeted with several projectiles 51 nautical miles north of the Qatari city of Al Shamal, causing injuries. It said authorities were investigating the incident and urged vessels in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

US officials said the Pentagon had directed Central Command to complete preparations for possible extensive combat operations in Iran, without setting a date or receiving a final decision from President Trump. The plans could include targets in the energy, infrastructure and nuclear sectors, amid stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran would end soon “one way or another”, predicting oil prices would fall after it ends, while Tehran said it had submitted a detailed proposal through intermediaries outlining its conditions. The main points of disagreement are uranium enrichment, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the sequence for implementing commitments.

An adviser to the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tehran would soon close routes in the Strait of Hormuz that it considers illegal, saying they are used to smuggle oil. The remarks came as shipping-tracking data showed crude exports from the region rising during September, amid continuing security risks and restrictions affecting vessel traffic.

US Vice-President JD Vance said reaching an agreement to end the war, now in its seventh month, would require concrete Iranian steps to reduce uranium enrichment, as Washington and Tehran exchange proposals that include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, amid the conflict’s growing impact on energy markets and US elections.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned France’s ambassador to Tehran, Pierre Cochard, expressing concern over security forces’ handling of student protests in France. The move follows the detention of more than 5,000 people and injuries to students, security personnel and education workers, alongside the opening of 10 oversight investigations.

India said 12 crew members of the commercial vessel MT One Peace were injured by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, including 11 Indians. The injured were evacuated to Oman for treatment, while New Delhi called for an end to attacks on ships and the restoration of shipping and trade through international waterways.

Senior national security officials in President Donald Trump’s administration held a hours-long meeting at Camp David to discuss next steps regarding Iran and the conflict in Yemen. The meeting came amid stalled negotiations with Tehran and Saudi pressure for Washington to join a planned air strike against the Houthis.

US President Donald Trump said Iran-related threats prompted Washington to return its bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain to the United States. While US officials described the move as a precautionary measure linked to a suspected plot, Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied a direct connection, and Tehran rejected the allegations against it.

US Vice-President JD Vance said investigations had not yet produced conclusive evidence linking Iran to the security incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. He spoke as Emirati authorities continued examining an attempted takeover by the co-pilot after the captain was attacked during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

The United States returned 12 B-1 bombers from the British base at RAF Fairford to bases inside the country after the urgency surrounding security warnings issued three weeks ago intensified. The move coincided with arrests and investigations in Britain, as well as warnings of potential risks to US bases in Europe.

Israeli media reports said around 3,000 US troops had been deployed in Israel as part of preparations for a possible new confrontation. Their duties include operating air defence and aviation systems and providing logistical support, as broader US military reinforcements head towards the Middle East amid tensions with Iran.

The United States is sending more naval assets and ground personnel to the region, alongside proposed arrangements to escort ships and clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes amid pressure on Iran’s oil exports and US threats to launch a large-scale attack, prompting Iranian officials to warn of a more destructive response.