25 September 2026
Iran War
The United States and Iran are discussing a phased path out of war, which would have Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States stop its economic blockade on Iran. Neither side wants to be the first to surrender its advantage. So there is still a lot to do.
Iran proposed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. Iran submitted the proposal to the United States. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the strait will open if certain conditions are met. Previously, the Iranian conditions called for the release of frozen assets, the lifting of Iranian oil sanctions and for the US to end the naval blockade. It is doubtful that the conditions have changed.
Iran is planning a 40,000-motorcycle parade through Tehran on Friday under its expanding “Janfada-ye Iran” campaign, the latest large-scale show of force in an attempt to demonstrate unity at home and abroad during economic hardship. Last week, some 313,000 people marched through Tehran in an IRGC-planned mobilization. Many were government supporters, and some carried weapons, and there were numerous pictures posted by IRGC-affiliated channels of children carrying weapons.
Yemen
Saudi Arabia shot down six Houthi ballistic missiles. The missiles were aimed at the Red Sea port of Yanbu and the southwestern city of Taif. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that it will send soldiers, radars and defence systems to protect the oil pipeline and refinery in the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye discuss their joint defence agreement after attacks on Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels. The three countries signed the Mekka Agreement for joint defence, but it hasn’t fully taken effect. The meeting discussed progress on establishing the agreement’s General Secretariat, committees, and working groups, as well as preparations to begin activities. The meeting also discussed arranging an urgent meeting of the three countries’ chiefs of staff to consider how to support Saudi Arabia.
Iraq
Iraq’s National Security Service (INSS) announced that it executed 1,500 arrest warrants across the country, including 54 accused of terrorism offences. It was a wide-ranging sweep, including: “54 accused of terrorism offences, 194 of drug offences, 553 of extortion and threats, 195 of fraud and swindling, and 54 accused of promoting the banned Ba’ath Party.” This is still part of the wider campaign on crime and corruption.
Ukraine-Russia War
President Zelensky claims that in their last meeting, President Trump told him he would grant Ukraine a license to build Patriot missiles. This year, at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said he would, but in late July it seemed he was walking back. Other countries do build Patriots under licence, but the key computer and targeting components are made in the US, then delivered and installed like a mysterious black box.
South Korea’s president says that Zelensky breached a confidentiality agreement when he disclosed that Ukraine transferred the North Korean POWs to South Korea. Lee stated that “The issue of repatriating North Korean prisoners of war is a highly sensitive agenda that significantly impacts diplomacy, national security and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.”
Europe
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Europe is ready to respond to Russian hybrid attacks following a fresh warning from Danish intelligence. Rutte also said Putin is in a “bad place”. Danish intelligence warned in a new three-page report that Russia could conduct a limited attack on a NATO country within a few months.
Finnish and Swedish fighter jets were scrambled when a Russian air force detachment was identified in international airspace over the Gulf of Finland. The detachment consisted of Tu-134 transport aircraft, MiG-31 fighter jets and Su-30 fighter jets. This was the first joint operational identification mission for the two air forces. Because of the war in Ukraine, Sweden and Finland dropped their decades-long policy of non-alignment, so operational integration was never a priority.
Ethiopia
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) says that it is in a full-blown war with Ethiopian government forces. The government says it has repelled an assault in the Afar region. The TPLF’s objective in the Afar offensive is believed to be to cut off logistics from Djibouti, which provides almost all of Ethiopia’s international trade cargo, including fuel. Reports indicate an internet blackout in northern Ethiopia. This matters because, during the 2020-2022 civil war, telecommunications blackouts and supply blockades were imposed on the Tigray region.
Taiwan
Taiwan upgraded its maritime patrol capacity around the Pratas Islands in the disputed South China Sea. Taiwan is regularly sending larger ships there in response to Chinese activity. Taiwan recently completed a wharf project in the Pratas Islands, meaning that the newly built 100-tonne-class patrol boat can be stationed there. Chinese coast guard ships have increased patrols near Pratas, with the most recent occurring earlier this month.
North Korea
North Korea rejected calls for it to halt nuclear tests. A meeting of ministers from the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, comprising Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands, said any new nuclear weapons test would be irresponsible and unacceptable. North Korea describes itself as a responsible nuclear-armed state and says that its nuclear weapons status is irreversible.
Pakistan
Pakistani security forces say that they repelled an attack and killed several Afghan Taliban members. This comes as tensions rise between the Taliban and Pakistan, with Pakistan conducting air strikes recently, after three months of relative calm.
Social Media Wires
Pakistan claims that the Afghan Taliban have a pattern of indiscriminate fire and attempting raids
Featured Photo: “Saudi, Turkiye and Pakistan working out Mekka” ChatGPT, 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking-news report that incorporates wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale and cropping.