Trump Rejects Iran's Seven-Day Hormuz Plan as Saudi Nuclear Ambitions Surface; Israeli Strikes Continue in South Lebanon (Sep 26, 1057 UTC, 1357 Israel) (Evening Edition)

• Hormuz Proposal Rejected — President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt regional fighting, telling aides he expects to resume bombing after the November midterm elections, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials Reuters. The proposal, outlined by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the UN, would have reopened the strategic waterway and ended the assault within seven days if Washington lifted sanctions and a naval blockade BBC News. Iran said it awaits a formal US response, with Araghchi stating "the choice now rests with the United States" BBC News. Araghchi held talks with Turkish and Indian counterparts on the UNGA sidelines IRNA.
• Underground Relocation — Iran's Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik said Tehran has relocated part of its Armed Forces' strategic capabilities to secure underground infrastructure as a protective measure Al-Manar TV. Talaei-Nik said recent conflicts have become increasingly technology-driven and extended beyond the battlefield Iran International.
• IRGC Missile Claims — IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said Iran's advanced missiles are capable of destroying US multilayered air defense systems Mehr News.
• Diplomatic Messaging — Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran is active in the diplomatic arena and will not surrender IRNA. Ali Akbar Velayati, adviser to Iran's Leader, said legitimacy does not come from Washington, reacting to the closure of Najaf Airport in Iraq IRNA. President Masoud Pezeshkian told CBS that Tehran is ready for nuclear talks but will not accept "bullying or coercion" N12 Chat.

• Continued Israeli Strikes — Israeli forces shelled areas of southern Lebanon, including Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, and Wadi Hassan, with heavy explosions reported in Baraachit and Haddatha, according to Lebanon's National News Agency Haaretz. Israeli warplanes attacked Sujud and Jabal Al-Rafie, while another strike targeted the vicinity of Beaufort Castle Al-Manar TV. Artillery shelling was reported on the outskirts of Shaqra and Wadi Al-Slouqi Al-Manar TV.
• Ground Activity — An Israeli patrol advanced toward the outskirts of Deir Mimas and positioned itself in olive groves, preventing farmers from accessing the area Al-Manar TV. Two Merkava tanks advanced from Tel Al-Nahas toward the earthen barrier at the outskirts of Burj Al-Muluk Bint Jbeil News. The Deir Mimas municipality urged residents not to approach fields or olive groves for security reasons until September 28 Bint Jbeil News.
• Phosphorus Allegation — Lebanese state media reported Israeli forces used phosphorus munitions while shelling several towns in southern Lebanon on Friday Al-Manar TV.
• Demolition Operation — An Israeli demolition operation was reported in Beit Yahoun Al-Manar TV. A light attack drone dropped a stun grenade toward Al-Mansouri amid shelling in the area Al-Manar TV.

• Birzeit University Raid — Israeli occupation forces raided Birzeit University, north of Ramallah Al-Manar TV.
• Olive Grove Bulldozing — Israeli occupation forces began bulldozing Palestinian farmland planted with olive trees east of Jenin as the olive harvest season approaches Quds News Network.
• Settler Provocations — Israeli settler militiamen continued systematic provocation of Palestinian families in the Bedouin community of Khallet Al-Hummus in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron Quds News Network.

• France Drafts UNSC Resolution — France has drafted a UN Security Council resolution to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, blocking a Chinese leverage play TLDR Iran SITREP.
• ICC Sanctions Insulation — ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said the court has insulated itself against potential US sanctions, telling the Financial Times "the law must prevail over power" Middle East Eye.
• Military Coordination — Military leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey discussed closer defense ties in Riyadh, hours before the Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia Jerusalem Post.

• Netherlands Settlement Goods Ban — The Netherlands has begun enforcing a nationwide ban on the import, purchase, and sale of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with deliberate violations potentially carrying prison sentences of up to six years Quds News Network.
• Ireland Football Boycott — Some Irish national team players will reportedly boycott the match against Israel and refuse to shake hands, according to Irish media reports N12 Chat.
• UK Green Party Leader — Green Party leader Zack Polanski declared himself "anti-Zionist," becoming the first modern leader of a major British political party to make such a declaration Quds News Network.

USC Cadaver Program Ended — The University of Southern California ended a five-year program that transferred donated human cadavers for medical training involving Israeli military personnel after UC San Diego stopped supplying bodies due to lab standards Quds News Network.

• Thailand Land Investigation — Thailand has launched an investigation into a network of Israelis buying land and establishing properties in the country, including areas linked to Chabad Quds News Network.
• Iran-Afghanistan Transit — Iran and Afghanistan are broadening transport and transit cooperation through Chabahar Port, according to Iran's acting ambassador in Kabul IRNA.

• Saudi Nuclear Assessment — US intelligence assessments reportedly warn Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to classified documents shared with Congress Haaretz. The assessment fuels bipartisan pushback against a proposed Trump administration civilian nuclear cooperation pact with Riyadh Jerusalem Post. Israeli officials have expressed concern Haaretz.
• Houthi Attack Intercepted — Yemen's Saudi-led coalition intercepted two drones launched by Houthis toward Riyadh and two ballistic missiles toward Khamis Mushayt Reuters. The attack came hours after military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey met in Riyadh The National.
• Iraq Economic Strain — The Iran war is squeezing Iraq's economy as oil revenues fall and prices rise, exposing dependence on oil and foreign goods Al Jazeera English. Iraq seeks a US exemption from Iran airline sanctions for humanitarian flights TLDR Iran SITREP. Sheikh Qais Al-Khazali of Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq rejected Iraq's participation in any blockade on Iran Al-Manar TV.
• Egypt-Israel Warning Report — Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel reportedly came to Israel 11 days before October 7 to warn of a major Hamas attack, according to The Atlantic Haaretz. Separately, an Emirati warning reportedly never reached Israeli security leaders Jerusalem Post.