Trump Rejects Iran's Hormuz Proposal as Qatari PM Calls Netanyahu Biggest Obstacle to Gaza Peace; Israeli Strikes Continue in South Lebanon (Sep 26, 1824 UTC, 2124 Israel) (Evening Edition)

• Hormuz Proposal Rejected — President Donald Trump said Saturday he rejected Iran's latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. 'I reject their proposal,' Trump told reporters outside the White House Al Arabiya English. The proposal, conveyed via Qatar, would have reopened the strait and resumed nuclear talks within a week if Washington agreed Al Jazeera English. Trump said Iran wants a deal but the proposal is unacceptable Bint Jbeil News. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had met with US envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday and set out seven conditions for ending the war and reopening the strait Agence France-Presse.
• Pezeshkian: No Trust in US Talks — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Al Jazeera that Iran no longer trusts negotiations with the United States after previous rounds were followed by attacks and sanctions. 'We have no trust in the American side and do not know on what basis an understanding can be reached with it,' Pezeshkian said Al Jazeera English.
• Diplomatic Engagements — Araghchi met with UN General Assembly President, and held bilateral consultations with the foreign ministers of Algeria, Malaysia, and Cambodia in New York IRNA. Iran's Supreme National Security Council denied claims it would attack neighbors' airports over US flight bans, saying negotiations to lift restrictions are being pursued IRNA.
• US-China Tensions — US President Trump warned Chinese President Xi Jinping against supporting Iran and received assurances China would comply, according to the US ambassador to Beijing Haaretz. China's Vice President Han Zheng called for respect for Gulf states' sovereignty at the UN General Assembly Iran International.
• Iraq Flight Exemptions — Iraq is in direct talks with the US to seek exemptions from sanctions on Iranian airlines for travel linked to medical treatment, education, and religious visits Iran International. Iraqi deputy parliament speaker Adnan Faihan al-Dulaimi called the restrictions unconstitutional Iran International.

• IDF Strikes Weapons Cache — The IDF struck a Hezbollah weapons storage facility in the Sejoud area of southern Lebanon earlier today to remove a threat to Israeli troops. The facility stored weapons used to target IDF soldiers operating in the Security Zone, the army said IDF Official.
• Shelling Reported — Lebanese National News Agency reported Israeli shelling in Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, and Wadi Hassan, with heavy explosions in Baraachit and Haddatha Haaretz. Al-Manar reported Israeli artillery shelling on Al-Mansouri and new bombing in Mais Al-Jabal, Al-Mansouri, and Majdal Zoun Al-Manar TV. Bint Jbeil News reported an Israeli explosion in Mays al-Jabal Bint Jbeil News.

• Hamas Operatives Killed — The IDF eliminated Ibrahim Fawzi Ismail Mohsen, a Nukhba platoon commander, in a strike in Nuseirat, and Mohammed Kamel Suleiman Mohsen, another Hamas operative, in Khan Younis. Both had been advancing attacks against troops and civilians in systematic violation of the ceasefire, the military said IDF Official.
• Qatari PM Criticizes Netanyahu — Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told CNN that Netanyahu is the 'biggest obstacle' to the Gaza peace plan, citing a 'long list of violations' including continued strikes and the IDF's occupation of Gaza Haaretz. Al-Thani also called the 'Qatargate' scandal 'absurd' Jerusalem Post.

Settler Attacks Reported — Israeli settlers attacked an ambulance vehicle in Silwad, northeast of Ramallah, according to Quds News Network Quds News Network. Settlers also attacked Palestinian homes in Al-Ain Al-Hamra and Harat Jaber neighborhoods in Hebron during a curfew imposed for Sukkot Quds News Network. Israeli forces detained a Palestinian in Silwad refugee camp Quds News Network.

• UN General Assembly — China's Vice President Han Zheng called for respect for Gulf states' sovereignty and for the blockade against Cuba to be lifted Jerusalem Post. Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla accused the US of waging an economic war against the Cuban people Al Jazeera English.
• Mecca Defence Alliance — Defence chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan met in Riyadh to discuss support for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement Al Jazeera English.

Athens Explosion — At least six people died after an explosion destroyed a building in the Plaka district of Athens, near the Acropolis Al Arabiya English. The blast occurred in a tourist area; four people were initially reported missing BBC News.

• Yemen — Houthi forces fired two ballistic missiles and two drones at Saudi Arabia; the coalition intercepted all weapons TLDR Iran SITREP. Yemeni military media released footage showing drone attacks on Saudi military gatherings Al-Manar TV.
• Saudi Arabia — Riyadh condemned a deadly Iranian strike on the Saudi tanker Sidra that killed two Filipino crew members Arab News.