2026 Iran War: 2026-09-18

The State Department asked Congress to clear a proposed $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, saying the deal would not alter the regional military balance under US qualitative military edge policy for Israel. The request comes as Riyadh seeks more US help against Houthi forces and after Houthis claimed they shot down a Saudi F-15 over Marib.

Russia and China vetoed a US-backed Security Council resolution that would have kept UN experts monitoring Iran sanctions reimposed after the 2025 snapback. Eleven members voted yes; Pakistan and Somalia abstained. Washington said the veto creates a monitoring gap; Iran thanked Moscow and Beijing for blocking what it called a politically motivated draft.

The US State Department said Iran’s core UN General Assembly delegation, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, may attend High-Level Week in New York under host-country obligations. Officials said the delegation will be smaller and face tighter travel limits and luxury-purchase restrictions. The decision comes as the US-Iran war continues into a seventh month with Hormuz disruption unresolved.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said a Swedish diplomat was given 48 hours to leave after Sweden expelled an Iranian embassy official in Stockholm over alleged activity incompatible with the Vienna Convention. Tehran called Sweden’s move unjustified and blamed Israeli influence; Swedish ministers said the expulsion protected national security and cited Iranian activity against Jewish and Israeli interests.