WEEKEND RECAP: IRAN / STRAIT OF HORMUZ
By Sammy Tisser,
President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that he rejected Iran's proposal for a broader agreement that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had proposed reopening the strategic waterway as part of a seven-day process that would also include an end to hostilities on multiple fronts, the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian funds and sanctions relief. Iranian officials have separately said Tehran is not prepared to make concessions on its nuclear program.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has told aides he expects U.S. strikes against Iran could resume following the November midterm elections, although the situation remains subject to change. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran no longer trusts U.S.-led negotiations, while U.S. officials said talks through mediators remain constructive.
HOUTHI ATTACKS ON SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted two Houthi drones launched toward Riyadh and two ballistic missiles fired toward Khamis Mushait early Saturday. Civil-defense warnings were issued in parts of southwestern Saudi Arabia as authorities monitored additional threats.
The attacks come amid a sharp escalation between the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with Houthi attacks increasingly targeting Saudi cities, infrastructure and shipping.
SAUDI ARABIA, TURKEY AND PAKISTAN
The military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met in Riyadh amid the Houthi escalation and discussed implementing their recently signed joint-defense agreement. Under the pact, the three countries have said an armed attack against one would be regarded as an attack against all.
Separately, The Washington Post reported that U.S. intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia has not ruled out eventually developing a nuclear weapons program. Riyadh maintains that its nuclear plans are peaceful, while the U.S. State Department says Washington will not support a Saudi nuclear weapons program.
LEBANON
The IDF said it struck a Hezbollah weapons-storage facility in the Sejoud area of southern Lebanon on Saturday, saying weapons stored there posed a threat to Israeli forces operating in the security zone.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, meanwhile, told the UN General Assembly that restoring Lebanese territory currently held by Israel was an "existential challenge" and called for an Israeli withdrawal. Salam also criticized Iran's attacks against Gulf states and Jordan and expressed solidarity with those countries.
GAZA
The IDF announced Saturday that two Hamas operatives were killed in separate strikes carried out Friday.
The military identified Ibrahim Fawzi Ismail Mohsen as a member of Hamas's Nukhba Force who was killed in Nuseirat. A separate strike in Khan Younis killed Mohammed Kamel Suleiman Mohsen. According to the IDF, both had recently been involved in rebuilding Hamas infrastructure and advancing attacks against Israeli forces.
The developments came after the IDF announced Friday that it had recently destroyed a roughly two-kilometer Hamas tunnel in an Israeli-controlled section of Gaza as part of operations against remaining Hamas infrastructure.
NEW REPORTS ON WARNINGS BEFORE OCTOBER 7
Two major reports concerning intelligence warnings before the October 7 massacre emerged over the weekend.
The Atlantic reported that then-Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel flew to Israel on September 26, 2023, and warned senior Israeli officials that the situation in Gaza could erupt and that Hamas was preparing for a major confrontation. The report says Kamel did not provide precise information about when or how an attack would occur. Former national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi denied that the reported visit and warning occurred.
Separately, The New York Times reported that at an Israeli security meeting six days before October 7, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized maintaining calm in Gaza in order not to jeopardize potential normalization with Saudi Arabia. The report said Netanyahu did not mention an alleged warning he had received from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed regarding Hamas. Netanyahu has denied receiving such a warning.
QATAR / GAZA DIPLOMACY
Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani accused Netanyahu and his government of being the primary obstacle to advancing the U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan. Qatar has also continued mediating between Washington and Tehran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Channel 12 separately reported that Netanyahu adviser Michael Eisenberg met senior Qatari official Ali al-Thawadi in New York the day before Netanyahu strongly criticized Qatar during his UN speech. According to the report, the two discussed implementing the U.S.-backed Gaza plan and humanitarian aid entering the Strip.
ISRAEL-MAURITIUS FLIGHT CANCELED
An Israeli tourism company said a planned flight from Tel Aviv to Mauritius was canceled after Mauritian authorities refused permission for the flight to land. The company said it was informed that "political-diplomatic" considerations were behind the decision.
ISRAEL-IRELAND SOCCER MATCH
Ireland confirmed that its Nations League match against Israel will go ahead after players held an internal vote on whether to play. The Football Association of Ireland said a "significant majority" voted in favor of fulfilling the fixture after one player indicated they planned to withdraw.
BELGIUM / IRAN
Belgian threat-assessment officials reportedly linked Iran to attacks earlier this year targeting Jewish or Israeli-related locations in Liège and Antwerp. The report said Belgian authorities believe the perpetrators acted on instructions connected to Tehran.
ISRAELI NAVY
Israel is reportedly examining the possible acquisition of Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft as the Navy looks to strengthen anti-submarine and long-range maritime capabilities.
Topics: Iran, Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon & Hezbollah
Reported by Sammy Tisser for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.