2026 Iran War: 2026-09-25

Mohammad Mokhber, adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said on X that regional air travel must be open to all or available to none, after Iraqi and other airports cut Iranian airline service under US sanctions pressure. Iranian carriers continue some international routes, including to China and Armenia, according to reporting summarized by B92.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in New York that Tehran sent Washington a seven-day plan via mediators to restart the June MoU track, end hostilities, reopen Hormuz, release frozen assets and start nuclear talks. Al Jazeera reported the proposal mirrors the expired MoU but sets a much faster timetable. No US acceptance was announced.

At the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s military campaigns in Iran, Gaza and elsewhere after dozens of delegates left the hall. He thanked President Trump for joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and attacked Turkish President Erdogan. Qatar separately rejected Netanyahu’s claim that Doha runs a campaign against Israel, Al Jazeera reported.

Najaf International Airport halted Iran routes from Friday, Iraq’s official news agency said. Reuters-cited sources said Erbil and Sulaymaniyah also stopped Iran flights, after Baghdad earlier ordered a suspension. The move follows similar UAE and other regional restrictions linked to US aviation sanctions threats.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told media on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that Tehran wants Washington to return to the Memorandum of Understanding before US midterms, saying Iran wishes Americans to re-enter the MoU by early November. Middle East Spectator separately reported Pezeshkian told NBC Iran is open to IAEA inspections of its nuclear facilities.

Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan said their chiefs of staff will hold an urgent meeting under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement after recent Houthi attacks on the kingdom. The announcement followed a New York meeting of the three foreign ministers. The pact treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.

Brent crude rose more than 3% on Thursday and finished above $106.50 a barrel after Yemen’s Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks on a sensitive target in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Saudi-led forces said they intercepted six ballistic missiles. Saudi authorities have not confirmed damage.