🌅 COMBATE Morning Roundup | September 23, 2026

• Pezeshkian displays victims' photos at UN podium — Iran's president showed the General Assembly images of children killed in the Minab school strike and scientists slain in the war, asking of Israel's assault on Palestinians: "Will you turn a blind eye?"

• Tehran names Qatar as mediator; Witkoff calls round "successful" — FM spokesman Baghaei said the New York contact served only to convey Iran's terms: end the war on all fronts, lift the naval blockade, release assets. Trump claimed "momentum" toward a deal; Brent fell below $99.

• Hormuz rules "will be set by Iran and Oman" — Ambassador Jalali said Washington must accept the strait's new reality; UK maritime authorities separately reported an incident inside Hormuz.

• Macron offers "defensive" Hormuz mission — France is ready to join protective shipping operations while avoiding confrontation with Iran; Macron said Paris refused to join the war and that regime change by bombing "doesn't work."

• Iranian military warns of "unpredictable blows" — The General Staff called Trump's UN threats proof of US strategic deadlock; a senior commander said any invasion force would face 10 million trained Basij.

• Yemen downs Saudi Wing Loong 2 over Mokha — The 15th drone of its type lost in the war; Saudi jets separately struck Hodeidah telecom towers and Sanaa warned Arab states against joining Riyadh's war.

• Iran restores half of South Pars capacity — Officials said 50% of war-damaged gas output is back on schedule before winter; Rosatom is raising staffing at Bushehr and calls the situation calm.

• Russia takes two Kharkov settlements, downs 514 drones — Moscow reported mass strikes on Ukraine's defense industry and energy; the Kremlin said Putin is ready to meet Trump again and Zelensky may visit Moscow with guarantees.

• Lavrov opens New York visit with Rubio talks — The Russian FM planned 30-plus sideline meetings; the EU extended Ukraine sanctions to 2029 as its economy chief admitted "sanctions fatigue."

• EU brakes on Zelensky — His New York meeting with von der Leyen was tense; Brussels is conditioning aid on reforms after Kyiv sought €26 billion for its budget gap.

• Trump meets Venezuela's interim leader Rodríguez — Their first meeting since Maduro's seizure took place near the Brooklyn prison holding him; energy, mining and security led the agenda as Venezuelan oil flows to the US.

• Baltics seek €500M for drone defense; German pupils strike over conscription — The three Baltic states asked Brussels for funds while German youth groups mobilized against draft registration of conscientious objectors.

📖 Full report: https://telegra.ph/COMBATE-Digest---combate-20260923-1200Z-09-23

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