Flydubai Co-Pilot Flew Route Before Attack as Saudi-Houthi War Escalates (Oct 03, 1834 UTC, 2134 Israel) (Evening Edition)

Rhetoric and Warnings

Senior Iranian officials continued to issue warnings amid escalating tensions. Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warned the UAE not to challenge Iran over three Persian Gulf islands, saying the UAE is 'not in Iran's league' IRNA. The chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said the US would soon be driven from the Middle East Iran International. IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said Trump 'must learn lessons from war with Iran and accept Tehran's terms and conditions' Mehr News. Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei dismissed Trump's rhetoric, saying reality is shaped by Iranian people, armed forces, and missiles Al-Manar TV.

Military Posture

An Iranian army spokesperson said the armed forces are 'fully prepared to deal with any scenario' and have been closely monitoring developments Al-Manar TV. Iran's Ministry of Defense emphasized that space and emerging technologies will shape future power IRNA.

Economic Pressure

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran will have 'no oil on the water' this week, citing the blockade Iran International. The Iranian rial hit a record low of 2.7 million per dollar as sanctions and the blockade crush oil exports and foreign reserves TLDR Iran SITREP.

Israeli Strikes in Southern Lebanon

Israeli forces carried out multiple attacks across southern Lebanon on Saturday. Al-Manar reported airstrikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa, explosions in Al-Mansouri and Houla, and artillery shelling of Wadi al-Salouqi Al-Manar TV. Israeli artillery fired at Al-Mansouri town, according to Al-Manar Al-Manar TV. Israeli air raids targeted Kfartebnit and Al-Mansouri Al-Manar TV. Lebanese media reported 'massive, successive and powerful' blasts in Mansouri Middle East Eye. Al Arabiya reported Israeli army explosions in Lebanon Al Arabiya.

Operational Traffic Accident

Eight Israeli soldiers from the 7th Armored Brigade sustained minor injuries in an operational traffic accident in southern Lebanon on Friday evening. Initial investigation indicates two vehicles collided near Rab Thalatheen due to weather conditions—mud and rain. Six soldiers were evacuated for medical treatment Bint Jbeil News.

IDF Eliminates Two PIJ Commanders

The IDF announced it eliminated two Palestinian Islamic Jihad commanders in separate strikes in Gaza City on Friday. Ahmed Mahmoud Harb Ramlawi was a commander in the rocket array of the Shuja'iyya Battalion, and Munir Ibrahim Masri was head of an anti-tank missile cell. The IDF said both were advancing attacks on troops and civilians and attempting to restore PIJ capabilities 'in systematic violation of the ceasefire agreement' IDF Official Manniefabian.

Further Incidents

Quds News Network reported Israeli aircraft bombarded Al-Jalaa' Street in Gaza City Quds News Network. Israeli forces shot at Palestinians in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, killing one person, according to Quds News Network Quds News Network.

Settler Attack on Olive Harvesters

An elderly Palestinian man, Ismail Abu Asaba, was injured after Israeli settlers attacked farmers harvesting olives in the town of Sebastia, northwest of Nablus. The assault comes amid a broader rise in settler attacks targeting Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest season Quds News Network.

Somalia Rejects Israeli Presence

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Somalia will not accept an Israeli presence 'under any circumstances,' claiming Israel is planning a naval base in Berbera Al Jazeera.

US Treasury on Iran Blockade

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US has moved to an 'iron wall' in its war with Iran, and the blockade is a measure Washington has never implemented before [Bint Jbeil News citing Axios].

Algeria-Niger Coup Attempt

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Algiers deployed warplanes to Niamey in late August following an attack by mutineers, calling the mutiny a 'provocation' Al Jazeera. Separately, prominent Nigerien journalist Moussa Kaka has been missing since August 31, 2026 BBC News.

Germany: Pro-Palestine Demonstration

German police clashed with pro-Palestine demonstrators at Berlin's Alexanderplatz station during a gathering in support of Gaza's civilians Quds News Network.

Ireland-Israel Football Press Conference

An Israeli reporter's 'verbal attack' ended an Ireland football news conference. Israeli journalists asked coach Hallgrimsson about the Flydubai attack and alleged racist abuse by Ireland's players Al Jazeera. N12 reported an Irish journalist tried to provoke by claiming statements in support of the IDF are political, and Israeli FA spokesperson Shlomi Barzel responded that the army is not part of politics N12.

US Midterms

Democrats enter the final month of the US midterm campaign with a surprisingly positive outlook as Republican money seeks to stem damage Al Jazeera.

Tennessee Prisons Official Resigns

Tennessee prisons official Frank Strada resigned after the failed execution of Christa Pike, with an independent review examining what went wrong Al Jazeera.

Los Angeles Shooting

At least two people were reported killed in a shooting near a Los Angeles campus Al-Manar TV.

India Crude Oil Imports

India saw a surge in crude oil imports from the Middle East, with supplies from Saudi Arabia increasing by around 63 percent in September Arab News.

China-Palestine Friendly Match

A Chinese supporter waved a Palestinian flag during a friendly match between China and Palestine in Chongqing Quds News Network.

Saudi-Houthi Conflict

Saudi Arabia is planning an offensive against Houthi militants in Yemen, with options including a coastal push to secure the Red Sea shipping route or a multi-front assault. The operation would be led by Yemeni forces on the ground, directed by Riyadh, and supported by Saudi airstrikes [Haaretz, Reuters via Times of Israel, BBC]. Loud explosions were heard in Sanaa on Saturday as Houthi rebels reported airstrikes by Saudi forces Times of Israel. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi warplanes launched 60 airstrikes and missile attacks targeting civilian sites in Sana'a, Saada, Taiz, Hajjah, and Marib over the past 24 hours Al-Manar TV. The Yemeni Armed Forces said they struck key military targets in Sana'a Arab News. A large plume of smoke and fire was seen near an Aramco facility in Riyadh Jerusalem Post. The Yemeni Foreign Ministry warned of a reciprocal response to Saudi attacks and blockade IRNA.

Strait of Hormuz Incidents

A second oil tanker was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, following an earlier incident News 0404 IL Al Jazeera. An explosion was heard from the direction of the Strait of Hormuz on Qeshm Island, southern Iran Al-Manar TV. Iranian Mehr Agency said the sound of an explosion on Qeshm Island is related to procedures concerning regional waters in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz Bint Jbeil News.

Flydubai Investigation

The UAE prosecutor general said co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attempted to carry out a 'terrorist attack' with a crash axe during Wednesday's flight FZ1073. Al-Hammami, an Omani national, had been banned from flying by Oman over concerns he had been radicalized Times of Israel Al Jazeera. Investigators are examining whether he had previously flown the Dubai-Tel Aviv route, contradicting initial Israeli denials Ynetnews. A regional official said the co-pilot had been barred from flying by Oman over extremist views and was later hired by flydubai Times of Israel. Flydubai gave Israeli authorities the names of the flight crew as required ahead of Wednesday's flight Times of Israel.

UAE-Iran Tensions

A senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader warned the UAE as tensions with Tehran escalate Iran International.