🇸🇦Week of September 28

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi disclosed details of a meeting with Qatari mediators in New York and addressed the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear file. Tehran is awaiting a US response to its proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for guarantees, and has signaled it could target infrastructure if the response is unsatisfactory.123

A dispute has erupted between Iran's Revolutionary Guard and US Central Command over who controls the Strait of Hormuz, after an Iranian military commander claimed full control of the waterway. US Central Command commented on the Iranian commander's statement, while Iran denied that any negotiations with the United States were scheduled during the UN General Assembly meetings.45

Mediators are pressing Iran to make concessions to break the deadlock in negotiations with Washington. Iran is watching for the US response on the Strait of Hormuz and is preparing for possible escalation.67

Attributed claim: الجزيرة نت / العربية: Al Jazeera frames the exchange as a war of words between the Revolutionary Guard and US Central Command over control of Hormuz, while Al Arabiya focuses on the dimensions of Iranian intransigence in closing the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. The two outlets present different framings of the same standoff, with Al Jazeera emphasizing the rhetorical battle and Al Arabiya highlighting the strategic implications of closure.18

Forces aligned with Ethiopia's government announced they have taken control of the strategic town of Alamata in the Tigray region. The advance was reported by multiple Arabic-language outlets, which described it as a shift in the balance of power in the area.123456789

The United Nations warned of a deteriorating situation in northern Ethiopia, according to a Saudi newspaper. The warning came as the military developments in Tigray were reported.2

Sudan's army responded to accusations from Ethiopia that it supports rebel groups fighting the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Sudan denied supporting the Ethiopian opposition and threatened to respond to any infringement on its national security.34

Yemeni government forces and the Houthis remain engaged in ongoing clashes in Taiz and Lahj, with the Houthi advance having brought the Bab al-Mandab strait and Taiz onto the map of the battle. The Yemeni Foreign Ministry has called for urgent international action over the humanitarian repercussions of the Houthi escalation.123

The Yemeni army said it carried out 356 strikes against the Houthi militia within 24 hours and that 476 Houthis were killed or wounded. The Yemeni armed forces put the total at 756 targeting operations against the Houthis, and the air force is described as doubling Houthi losses.123

Four Iranian experts were killed in Taiz during expanded Yemeni strikes that hit Houthi capabilities, in what was described as air and ground operations exhausting Houthi forces in Taiz. A military analyst said the Yemeni army is delivering painful blows to the Houthis and continuing to drain the militia's capabilities.123

The Yemeni air force struck Houthi gatherings on the al-Dabab front in Taiz.4

Heavy rains have flooded 41 provinces across Thailand, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. The floods have submerged parts of Bangkok, where the death toll has risen to 23.123

The floods have disrupted flight schedules and affected automobile production in Thailand.4

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman invited UAE Vice President Mansour bin Zayed to visit the kingdom, and the visit is scheduled for Tuesday. The invitation was extended as part of what is described as a fraternal visit between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.1234567

The visit comes amid strained relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to Al-Monitor. The BBC described the high-level visit as a test of opportunities to overcome differences between the two countries.89

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman also discussed defense cooperation with Morocco, according to Al-Riyadh newspaper.10