Iran

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has affirmed that its forces are ready to respond to any new attack, threatening to use new weapons that are being produced in large quantities. The message, which it said was addressed to the American people, came amid military tensions and diplomatic efforts to return Tehran and Washington to negotiations.

Pentagon data recorded injuries to 29 sailors and nine US Marines during operations in the Middle East in September. A Navy official confirmed that the injured sailors had returned to duty, while US officials said eight Marines were injured after an Iranian cruise missile targeted their vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting, through Qatari mediators, Washington’s final response to a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week in return for lifting the naval blockade, releasing frozen funds and easing sanctions. Washington insists that any agreement must be linked to progress on the nuclear file, after President Donald Trump announced his rejection of the plan in its proposed form.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf linked the continuation of regional oil exports to Tehran’s ability to sell its own oil, warning of a swift and harsh response to any military action. His remarks come as Iran’s ability to export through the Strait of Hormuz declines and indirect contacts with Washington continue to reduce tensions.

Washington warned of consequences for any Iranian attack on its interests, while Iran’s parliament began considering a bill to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The escalation comes amid mediation efforts to end a war that has continued for seven months and conflicting reports about a possible US offer to ease sanctions in return for progress on the nuclear issue.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the security incident near Britain’s Fairford air base bore the hallmarks of a foreign actor, without identifying any particular country. He spoke after five Britons arrested on suspicion of offences linked to explosives and preparing for a terrorist act were released on bail, as counter-terrorism police continue to examine whether the incident was connected to a foreign state.

Tehran is awaiting an official response from Washington through mediators in Qatar and Pakistan on a conditional plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, despite US President Donald Trump announcing his rejection of it. While Iran remains committed to negotiations, it has warned that it may resort to a military response if it comes under a fresh attack.

British police arrested five men near Fairford Air Base after a report of three vehicles apparently heading towards it, establishing a security cordon and evacuating about 85 homes. Counter-terrorism police are investigating the incident near the base, which the US Air Force uses to operate bombers and from which strikes on Iran have previously been launched.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy said it had detained a US-made Remus 600 unmanned vehicle while it was operating in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of carrying out a spying mission. It added that the operation relied on intelligence capabilities and electronic warfare technologies, and that Iranian specialists were examining the vehicle to recover the data stored on it.

Tehran said reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting the fighting require its conditions to be met and a negotiated agreement to be reached, after US President Donald Trump announced that he had rejected an Iranian proposal delivered through Qatari mediators. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the mediators had not formally conveyed the final US position to Iran.

Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Abu al-Fadl Shakarchi said his country’s forces were fully prepared, warning that any new US or Israeli attack would be met with stronger, broader and more precise strikes. He added that Tehran had developed its missile and drone capabilities and would use new military technologies in any potential confrontation.

Iran and the United States continue indirect talks in New York, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi awaits a written response through mediators to a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 7 days. Washington is maintaining conditions concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, missiles and regional policies.

Signs are growing that Republican candidates and lawmakers are distancing themselves from some of President Donald Trump's policies ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for 3 November, driven by the fallout from the war in Iran and rising living costs. The shift is evident in congressional votes, campaign rhetoric and the reduced presence of Trump in the promotional material of several candidates.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Tehran does not intend to respond militarily to restrictions imposed on its air traffic, noting that negotiations are under way to lift them and that non-military options are available. The position came after Iraqi airports suspended flights to and from Iran amid US threats to impose sanctions.

France, in coordination with the United States, is preparing a Security Council resolution affirming freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and supporting the creation of an international mission to restore transit. The moves come as Washington and Tehran hold negotiations and Iran offers to reopen the strait and resume talks.

Paris is preparing a Security Council resolution affirming freedom of navigation and respect for the law of the sea in the Strait of Hormuz. The move coincides with a 7-day Iranian plan to halt the conflict and return to negotiations, amid US doubts over whether it can be accepted.

Tehran and Washington are continuing indirect talks in New York as part of Qatari-led efforts, with Pakistani participation, to reduce tensions. Discussions centre on a phased proposal involving the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade, alongside a meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ended a state visit to Washington after agreeing with US President Donald Trump to extend the trade truce until January 2027 and continue meeting. Talks covered artificial intelligence, Taiwan, the war on Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, amid US objections to Beijing’s support for Tehran and China’s insistence that competition be managed peacefully.

US and Iranian negotiators in New York are examining a phased arrangement that would begin with restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the economic blockade on Iran, after nearly seven months of war. But the talks face disagreement over the sequence of concessions, while the US midterm elections cast doubt on the deal’s prospects and timing.

US and Iranian negotiators in New York are discussing a gradual path out of the war, beginning with reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting the US economic blockade and granting Tehran access to frozen assets, amid disagreement over the order of concessions and Gulf concerns that maritime routes will continue to be used as leverage.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for the Strait of Hormuz shipping crisis to be addressed separately from negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, blaming the waterway’s closure largely for rising energy prices. His call came amid international efforts to restore freedom of navigation and US-Iranian talks on a gradual path to ending the war.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the United States with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New York, reaffirming the continuation of mediation contacts and the need to implement the Islamabad memorandum. The two sides also agreed to continue consultations on regional challenges.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israeli and US strikes inside Iran before the UN General Assembly, presenting them as a security necessity to counter the nuclear threat. Several delegations left the chamber as his speech began, while he attacked the media, European leaders and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and addressed the Golan Heights, Gaza and Yemen.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New York that Beirut remains committed to a bilateral relationship based on sovereignty and non-interference, and called on Tehran to nominate a new ambassador. He also stressed the priority of a withdrawal by the Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, the extension of state authority and the restriction of arms to the state.