US Moves to Ground Iranian Airlines as Trump Halts Houthi Strike; Gaza Ceasefire Violated (Sep 21, 1956 UTC, 2256 Israel) (Evening Edition)

• Airline Shutdown Threat — US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said all Iranian airlines will be shut out of international operations from September 23 through the threat of secondary sanctions on companies providing aviation services. Airports that fuel, service, or sell tickets to Iranian carriers risk being cut off from the US dollar system. Turkey has already announced it will not accept Iranian airlines Iran International Al Jazeera Arab News Al Arabiya IranWire.
• IRGC Rhetoric — IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi claimed the US has been defeated in its war with Iran but lacks the courage to admit it. Army chief Major General Amir Hatami vowed a 'decisive and regret-inducing response' to any aggression against Iranian territory IRNA.
• Foreign Minister on Israel Lobby — Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, responding to an Israel Hayom opinion piece by FDD's Mark Dubowitz, said it is time for Washington to 'free itself from the shackles of the Israeli lobby' Al-Manar TV Iran International Mehr News.
• Pakistan-Iran Talks — Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran and met his counterpart Eskandar Momeni. President Masoud Pezeshkian said US pressure had 'ironically paved the way' for Iran-Pakistan rapprochement and called for expanded joint investments IRNA Al-Manar TV IranWire Al Arabiya Iran International.
• Trump-Pezeshkian Meeting — President Trump expressed readiness to meet President Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly; Tehran has not yet reacted IranWire Iran International.
• Hormuz Shipping — UKMTO reported a second vessel incident in the Strait of Hormuz within hours: an LPG tanker was struck by debris from unidentified projectiles. Earlier, a tanker entering the strait was hit by an unknown projectile. Vice President JD Vance said substantial oil and gas flows continue despite 'daily Iranian attacks on shipping' Iran International IranWire Mehr News.
• Domestic Security — Security forces killed a 35-year-old Kurdish resident, Ali Osloub, in Piranshahr, according to IranWire IranWire.

• Israeli Strikes Continue — Israeli warplanes raided the outskirts of Nabatieh Al-Fawqa and Kfartebnit, with additional strikes reported on Kfar Tebnit and Zawtar Al-Charkkiyeh. A bombing was reported in Markaba border town. Phosphorus shelling targeted the outskirts of Majdal Selm towards Wadi Al-Salouqi, causing a fire. Israeli forces were documented setting fire to homes of displaced residents and an agricultural engine in Mansouri Al-Manar TV Bint Jbeil News Quds News Network.
• False Alarm in Malkia — Sirens sounded in the northern border community of Malkia, but the IDF determined it was a false identification IDF Official Manniefabian News 0404 IL.
• Hezbollah MP on Iran — Hezbollah MP Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan, asked when Iran would intervene to protect southern Lebanon from 'leveling and destruction,' said it would intervene 'at the appropriate time' Bint Jbeil News.

• Ceasefire Violation — An unmanned IDF engineering vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb during routine operations on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line in northern Gaza. No injuries were reported. The IDF called it a 'blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement by the Hamas terror group' and struck several Hamas infrastructure sites in response IDF Official Manniefabian N12 Chat.
• Casualty Report — The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said one person was killed and 17 injured in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours, with four martyrs brought to hospitals including one who succumbed to wounds and three whose bodies were recovered Al-Manar TV.
• Humanitarian — Gaza children returned to classrooms after three years, facing damaged schools, tents, and scarce supplies. More than 900 wheelchairs donated by Australian charities for children who lost limbs have been stuck in a Jordan warehouse for up to 18 months, blocked by Israel as 'dual-use' items Al Jazeera Quds News Network.
• Qatar Funding Dispute — Qatar firmly rejected allegations in a New Yorker article that its Gaza aid was massively diverted to Hamas, saying the report was based on false information and forged documents. Doha said aid entered Gaza with Israeli approval and that if any funds reached Hamas, it was Israel's responsibility Times of Israel Ynetnews Arutz Sheva Israel Hayom.

Arrests Near Jenin — IDF soldiers arrested two individuals near Jenin suspected of planning an attack during Yom Kippur Israel Hayom.

• Pakistan-France Diplomacy — Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stressed the need to sustain diplomatic engagement and regional efforts to address the Iran crisis and implement the Islamabad agreement. They emphasized safe maritime navigation and uninterrupted energy supplies Iran International.
• QatarEnergy Warning — QatarEnergy said the Hormuz crisis may delay its LNG expansion projects Reuters.

• UK Elbit Systems Protest — Nine protesters blockaded an Elbit Systems factory in Staffordshire by attaching themselves to five 'lock-ons' over the company's weapons supply to Israel Al Jazeera.
• UK Rwanda Genocide Indictment — British prosecutors filed an unusual indictment against a 65-year-old Rwandan man, Vincent Brown, accused of directing and inciting murder and genocide in Rwanda in 1994. It is the first time the UK has filed charges over involvement in the Rwandan genocide N12 Chat.
• France Police Bill Protests — Thousands protested across France against a new law critics say gives police a 'licence to kill' Al Jazeera.

• Trump Approval Rating — A Reuters poll showed Trump's approval rating fell to 32%, the lowest of his political career, with Republican support dropping to 73% from 82% last week amid war and inflation concerns Al Jazeera N12 Chat.
• Paramount-Warner Bros Merger — Paramount settled with US states in a step toward its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros, avoiding a daily $7 million fee if the deal closes by September 30 Al Jazeera.

• Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan — Pakistan conducted airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan on September 20, reportedly targeting militants suspected of involvement in recent terrorist attacks in western Pakistan FDD.
• Pakistan Fuel Protests — Jamaat-e-Islami launched a protest march toward Islamabad over soaring fuel prices Al Jazeera.
• Typhoon Dujuan — A plane made a 'miracle' landing in Tokyo as Typhoon Dujuan battered Japan Al Jazeera.

• Yemen Escalation — Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi Arabia targeted Al-Jawf, Taiz, Saada, and Ma'rib with 157 airstrikes and missile strikes using F-15 and Typhoon jets from King Khalid Air Base. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi marked the 12th anniversary of the September 21 revolution, saying it secured freedom from American-British tutelage. Yemenis are fleeing across the Red Sea to Djibouti as fighting intensifies Al-Manar TV IRNA BBC News Reuters.
• Trump Halts Houthi Strike — President Trump reportedly ordered a strike on Houthi targets after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged US intervention, then reversed course as warplanes were being prepared and bombs loaded. The New York Times reported target lists had been approved. US officials fear a new front could escalate the Iran conflict Haaretz Jerusalem Post Ynetnews Arutz Sheva Reuters News 0404 IL.
• Syria Shelling — Israeli occupation forces shelled the Abidin and Al-Raqad valleys in western Daraa countryside and opened machine-gun fire toward nearby areas, with no casualties reported Al-Manar TV.