US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has said that cybersecurity forces will be mobilised to help protect US election systems, AP reported.
Hegseth says forces will guard election systems during midterms
Russia’s Tu-95 strategic bomber crashed in Amur region. (Photo: X/ @Osinttechnical)Russia’s Tu-95 strategic bomber, which was flying in the Amur region, crashed during a training flight in the Far East, killing six crew members aboard the bomber and injuring others, Russia’s Defence Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, RT reported.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on Tuesday called US President Donald Trump a “big liar”, accusing him of concealing the truth from Americans about Iran’s nuclear programme and the effectiveness of Iran’s blockade of energy supplies from the Gulf.
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“The enemy (US) knows that Iran is not after nuclear weapons,” Hossein Mohebbi said. “Their issue with Iran is not its nuclear programme but rather its vastness, which they want to destroy,” Reuters reported.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, said Tuesday that no country in the region could export oil if Iran were prevented from selling its own crude, according to state media. Ghalibaf also said regional infrastructure would not be safe if Iran had no security, the reports said.
President Donald Trump has dismissed a news report that his administration offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds, saying on social media that it was untrue. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran held more indirect talks with the US through Qatari mediators in New York, and he hopes Washington will respond formally by Tuesday. Elsewhere in the region, the UAE’s state news agency confirmed that President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend. Iraqi Airways has restarted flights between Najaf and Iran after Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stepped in and people protested against the decision to suspend Iranian flights. Yemeni government forces also say they carried out more than 350 attacks on Houthi targets in the past 24 hours.
What Trump said: Trump was defiant, saying the US is “going to win” and predicting the conflict will move “pretty quickly.” He said US officials had met war mediators, while Iranian media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to meet mediating countries’ representatives in New York. Trump also warned that Iran could use a nuclear weapon against the US if it ever got one, insisting Tehran “will never” be allowed to build a bomb. He said more military strikes before the November midterms are “possible.” Axios, citing a US official, reported that he is willing to offer sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for concrete progress on Iran’s nuclear program.
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Key world updates:
- Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran’s military has pushed the “enemy” out of waters off southern Iran toward the Arabian Sea and will soon drive it out of there too.
- Five UK nationals were arrested near a British air base used by the US for strikes on Iran, on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. They were released on bail a day later. Iran rejected speculation of any link.
- Oil prices rose for a second successive session on Tuesday as lingering concern over Middle East supply disruption brought about by US-Iran conflict outweighed signs of recovering crude exports from the region.
- Araghchi and Iran’s team were expected to meet Qatari mediators in New York to review the latest proposals and the state of talks with the US.
- The rial hit a record low, with the dollar above 2.45 million rials on Iran’s open market. Meanwhile, Iraq is struggling to find alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports, since routes via Syria, Turkey or Jordan are seen as impractical for now.
Follow the latest world news and major international developments here, including the latest on the US-Iran war and talks over the Strait of Hormuz. This live blog is a rolling curation of the day’s key global stories, with updates added as events unfold and the news agenda changes. The headline, introduction and Top Developments section will be refreshed throughout the day to reflect the stories that matter most at that moment.
Live Updates
Six India-flagged, 6 foreign-flagged vessels of Indian interest in Persian Gulf area: MEA
Six India-flagged ships and six foreign-flagged vessels that are of Indian interest are at present in the Persian Gulf area, west of the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.
There are around 163 Indian seafarers who are onboard these vessels, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query at his bi-weekly media briefing. (PTI)
Users report Claude AI is down
Claude AI, Anthropic's artificial intelligence bot, is down for several users worldwide, according to the Downdetector website that monitors real-time outages.
Russian Tu-95 bomber crashes in Amur region, 6 killed
Russia's Tu-95 strategic bomber, which was flying in the Amur region, crashed during a training flight in the Far East, killing six crew members aboard the fighter jet and injuring others, Russia's Defence Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, RT reported.
Iraqi Airways to resume Iran flights in October after securing US exemption
Iraqi Airways was preparing to resume flights to Iran in October after securing a special exemption, following a suspension of flights in line with US sanctions restricting services to Iranian airlines.
Iraq's transport ministry said the services would initially operate from the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, Reuters reported.
Saudi Civil Defence alerts of potential danger in Najran city
Saudi Civil Defence has alerted to a potential danger in Najran city on Tuesday afternoon (local time), Reuters reported.
Iranians stagger under soaring costs as war with US completes seven months
Iran's Revolutionary Guards call US President Trump a 'big liar'
A spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on Tuesday called US President Donald Trump a "big liar", accusing him of concealing the truth from Americans about Iran's nuclear programme and the effectiveness of Iran's blockade of energy supplies from the Gulf.
Among his reasons for waging war on Iran, Trump has cited the need to ensure that it will never be able to build a nuclear weapon.
"The enemy (US) knows that Iran is not after nuclear weapons," Hossein Mohebbi said. "Their issue with Iran is not its nuclear programme but rather its vastness, which they want to destroy," Reuters reported.
Rubio says foreign actor involved in incident near UK airbase used by US
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a “foreign actor” was involved in an incident near RAF Fairford in western England, where five British nationals were arrested on suspected explosives and terrorism offences. The five were later released on bail, while police said the investigation was continuing.
Rubio did not provide evidence or identify the alleged foreign actor. US President Donald Trump said the incident “might be” linked to Iran, while Tehran denied involvement. A source told Reuters that three vans linked to the suspects did not contain viable explosives.
- With Inputs from Reuters
Iran warns regional oil exports could be blocked if its own exports remain halted
Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Tuesday that no country in the region would be able to export oil if Iran was prevented from selling its own crude, according to state media.
Qalibaf also said regional infrastructure would not be safe if Iran had no security, the reports said.
- Reuters
US forces exit Iraq after two decades, leaving opening for Iran
US forces are set to pull out from their last bases in Iraq by Wednesday, a departure celebrated as a victory by Iran and its allies who now have deep influence in the country where 4,500 Americans died during more than two decades of war.
Iraqi security experts say the withdrawal — agreed in 2024 under President Joe Biden and carried out by Donald Trump's administration even as it wages war against Iran — could give Tehran and its powerful allies free rein, while also allowing other US enemies to stage a comeback, including Islamic State.
"Iran stands to benefit strategically from the coalition's departure because it removes a military presence that for years acted as a counterweight to Tehran's influence in Iraq," said Jasim al-Bahadli, an Iraqi security analyst specialising in studying armed Shi'ite groups aligned with Iran.
No strikes confirmed after explosion-like sounds heard near Iran's Qeshm
Iran's Qeshm Island had not come under strike and no explosions were reported there, state TV said on Monday, citing local sources, after state news agency IRNA said an explosion-like sound had been heard from the direction of the sea.
The sources told state TV the sound was similar to those heard on previous nights and was usually linked to warning shots fired at vessels violating waterway regulations.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the cause of the sound.
CNN, MS NOW, Politico ask judge to extend block on White House ban
CNN, MS NOW and Politico asked a federal judge on Monday to issue a court order preserving their White House access while they fight US President Donald Trump's move to ban them over coverage he dislikes.
* The news outlets asked a judge overseeing their case in Washington, D.C., federal court to grant a preliminary injunction blocking Trump's bans until there is a final ruling in the case.
* US District Judge Timothy Kelly previously issued a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking the bans, finding they likely violated the news outlets' rights to fair legal treatment.
5 men arrested near a US-run air base are bailed as UK police probe whether there's a link to Iran
Five young British men arrested on explosives and terror charges near a US-operated air force base in England were released on bail Monday, and counterterror detectives said they were investigating “multiple lines of inquiry,” including whether there is a link to Iran.
The men were detained early Sunday after three vans were spotted in the countryside near RAF Fairford, a UK-owned base that has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East, including this year's war with Iran.Investigators haven't concluded whether the incident was state-backed.
New Zealand’s FM says economy turned around despite Iran war and Hormuz oil disruptions
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, has said that the latest Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU) shows the country’s economy has been successfully turned around despite severe international pressures.
Writing on X, Peters pointed to “a high level of inflation from tariff changes, the war in Iran, and restricted oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz” as major hurdles, while emphasising that New Zealand is currently navigating “the most insecure times internationally for eighty years.”
Arguing that “real experience will be critical” in such times, Peters said that the country must raise its ambitions to double the size of its economy by 2050.
The PREFU, the latest economic update, shows that despite the serious pressure internationally on the New Zealand economy, including a high level of inflation from tariff changes, the war in Iran, and restricted oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the economy has been…
— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) September 29, 2026
Oil flows through Hormuz, alternative routes near 80% of pre-war levels - WSJ
Mideast oil exports rebound in September as Saudi Arabia boosts shipments
Crude oil exports from key Middle East producers rebounded in September to 16.328 million barrels per day (bpd), the highest since the US-Israeli war on Iran started in late February, data from Kpler showed on Monday, as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates boosted exports.
The rebound came following a recovery in exports via the Strait of Hormuz, which were set to hit about 9.719 million bpd this month, as Saudi Arabia diverted oil exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu following attacks that damaged its East-West pipeline, the preliminary data showed.
While exports from the region - which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran - have rebounded, they were still about 3.2 million bpd down from 19.513 million bpd in February, according to Kpler.
The tally includes cargo transits via the Strait of Hormuz including ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman, shipments from the UAE's Fujairah and Oman terminals outside the Strait of Hormuz and exports via the Red Sea.
Oil prices climb to $106 a barrel
Oil prices are rising for a second successive session, with Brent crude futures gaining 63 cents, or 0.6 percent, to reach $105.91 a barrel as of 00:30 GMT.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude went up 72 cents, or 0.8 percent, to trade at $93.32.
The gains came as lingering concerns over Middle East supply disruptions brought about by the US war on Iran outweighed signs of recovering crude exports from the region, Reuters reported.
Airstrike near a market in Myanmar's Rakhine state kills 49 people
An airstrike carried out by Myanmar’s military near a market in territory controlled by a powerful rebel group killed at least 49 people and wounded 58 others on Monday, the group and a rescue official said.The attack in western Rakhine state was the latest in a series of deadly airstrikes against pro-democracy resistance forces and ethnic armed groups across the country.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021, triggering widespread opposition.
Netanyahu visits UAE with Mossad chief and security adviser for talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife visited the United Arab Emirates at the invitation of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, his office said in a post on X. The talks focused on strengthening ties between the two countries and on regional challenges. Netanyahu was joined by the head of the National Security Council, the head of the Mossad, his military secretary and his foreign policy adviser. The statement gave no other details of what was discussed.
The post said "yesterday" without a date, so add the date of the visit before you publish.
The Prime Minister’s Office:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 28, 2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife visited the United Arab Emirates yesterday at the invitation of the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
The visit focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and on regional…
US Treasury secretary calls for Lebanese action against Iranian financial networks
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged the Lebanese government to take “decisive” action to disrupt Iranian and Hezbollah financial networks.
In a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Bessent said in a post on X that he highlighted the importance of advancing key financial sector reforms to restore confidence in Lebanon’s banking system.
Today, I met with Lebanese Prime Minister @nawafsalam and Finance Minister @JaberYassine to discuss the need for decisive action to disrupt Iranian and Hizballah financial networks, and the importance of key financial sector reforms to restore confidence in Lebanon’s banking… pic.twitter.com/gj54WT1dF5
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) September 28, 2026
Saudi, US foreign ministers discuss Hormuz security, Yemen
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday to discuss security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The two discussed regional developments and Yemen and stressed the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.
They also reaffirmed support for diplomatic efforts to address regional crises, according to the ministry.
Bessent urges Lebanon to disrupt Iran, Hezbollah financial networks
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Lebanon to take proactive steps to disrupt Iran and Hezbollah financial networks during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Finance Minister Yassine Jaber in Washington on Monday.
Bessent also stressed the importance of financial-sector reforms aimed at restoring confidence in Lebanon’s banking system, according to a US Treasury readout.
Mojtaba Khamenei ‘pulled from the rubble’ after Tehran hospital was bombed, cleric claims
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was pulled from the rubble of a Tehran hospital after US and Israeli strikes hit the building, the New York Post reported, citing the Qatari channel Al Araby, which interviewed a senior Iranian cleric.
Mohsen Heydari, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, made the claim in an interview with the Qatari channel Al Araby on Thursday. He said Khamenei had been wounded in earlier attacks and taken to hospital, which was then bombed along with two others in Tehran. Read more
Iran official denies nuclear flexibility, says no talks underway – Press TV
An unnamed Iranian official denied reports that Tehran had shown flexibility on its nuclear position and said no discussions were underway on the issue, state-run Press TV reported on its Telegram channel Monday.
The official said the US government was “trapped” over the Strait of Hormuz and was raising the nuclear issue to divert attention from the problem. The source said Tehran’s position on its nuclear program had not changed and there were no ongoing talks on the matter.
The remarks directly contradict an account from a US official who told CNN that Iran had indicated flexibility on nuclear issues and that Washington was holding “positive and constructive discussions through the mediators.”
Iran supreme leader says US will be forced out of Middle East: State TV
ran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Monday the United States would be forced to leave the Middle East after suffering "painful blows", according to a statement carried by state television, reported AFP.
Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the start of the Middle East war in late February, made the remarks despite attempts to revive talks aimed at ending the fighting.
"Today, having suffered painful blows at the hands of valiant fighters and the guardians of the Strait of Hormuz, they (the enemies) do not venture beyond the Arabian Sea," Khamenei said in the written statement attributed to him, without explicitly mentioning the United States.
"Whenever they have braved this risk, they have only brought harm upon themselves. It will not be long before the Arabian Sea, too, would rid itself of their presence," he added.
Explosion sounds heard near Qeshm Island
Iranian media reported that explosion sounds were heard near Qeshm Island late on September 28, and Tasnim News Agency later cited local sources on Qeshm Island as saying there were no reports of an attack or explosion, with the sounds usually caused by warning shots fired at vessels violating passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi says Iran expects US response by tomorrow ‘hopefully’, after talks with Qatari mediators
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran has held further indirect talks with the United States through Qatari mediators in New York, with Washington’s official response “hopefully” expected by tomorrow.
Araghchi told reporters that a primary focus of his visit at last week’s United Nations General Assembly had been outlining Iran’s position on regional conflicts and the critical security situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
He reiterated that Tehran has put forward a fair, logical plan to resolve the crisis and reopen the vital shipping lane, provided specific conditions are met.
“Our mission was to communicate these conditions to the American side as well as to all other nations, ensuring the international community is aware that Iran has a plan in this regard,” Araghchi said.
Why Trump denies offering Iran sanctions relief or frozen funds
President Donald Trump on Monday denied an Axios report that he had offered Iran sanctions relief or access to frozen funds, calling the story "untrue" and demanding that the outlet retract it.
US considering sanctions waiver for flights between Iran and Iraq's Najaf, source says
US President Donald Trump's administration is considering a limited waiver to its Iran sanctions program to allow for flights carrying Muslim religious pilgrims between Iran and Iraq, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said according to Reuters.
The source, who is involved in the deliberations, said the US Treasury Department waiver would allow Iraqi Airways to fly to and from the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf for one month, with a more permanent waiver then potentially coming into place.
UAE President receives Israel PM Netanyahu, discusses bilateral relations
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who visited the UAE yesterday, Sunday, according to WAM.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and Israel and ways to strengthen and develop them.
Iraq looks for Strait of Hormuz alternatives to export oil
Iraqi political and security analyst Sarmad Al-Bayati told Al Jazeera that the lack of quick solutions for Iraq’s oil export conundrum is a major problem for the country.
“At present, the only option is to export through the Strait of Hormuz, which depends primarily on the situation in the strait,” Al-Bayati told Al Jazeera.
“Other alternatives, such as oil exporting routes through Syria or Turkiye, or even future plans to extend a pipeline through Jordan, are unrealistic and impractical at the moment, offering no real solutions to Iraq’s current crisis if the situation remains as it is in the strait.”
Trump says US will win Iran war 'very soon'
US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday told reporters the United States will win the Iran war "very soon" and that gas prices will come tumbling down.
He also said that US officials spoke with Iran mediators today.
Rubio affirms ‘strong US support’ for Lebanon in meeting with PM Salam
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has renewed Washington's firm support for Lebanon as it moves to put the Trilateral Framework into effect, calling the deal "the only path to a durable peace with Israel".
In a post on X after meeting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Rubio said the US "stands with a sovereign Lebanon, free from Hizballah and Iranian influence".
As reported earlier, Salam urged full implementation of the framework agreement with Israel. He said it should lead to the restoration of Lebanon's complete sovereignty, a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and state control over all weapons across the country.
Met with Lebanese Prime Minister Salam today, reaffirming strong U.S. support as Lebanon implements the Trilateral Framework – the only path to a durable peace with Israel. The United States stands with a sovereign Lebanon, free from Hizballah and Iranian influence. pic.twitter.com/p45kH9qCVU
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) September 28, 2026
Trump says US will win war with Iran: 'It’s going to be one way or the other'
Donald Trump confirmed that the US negotiating team spoke with Iranian officials through mediators today. This comes after the president rejected the latest ceasefire proposal from Tehran, and Iran said it has “no plans” to negotiate with Washington.
Once again, Trump was resolute.
“We’re going to win,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s going to be one way or the other. It’s going to be it’s going to go pretty quickly.”
Welcome to our live coverage of the US-Iran war
Hello and welcome to our live blog. We're tracking the latest developments as the US and Iran trade threats and signals through mediators.
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