Tehran, September 11, 2026: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said he does not favour continuing the war with the United States, while calling for stronger national resilience as Iran prepares for what he described as the next phase of the conflict.
Speaking at a meeting with heads of Iranian universities, Pezeshkian said Iran needed to strengthen its resilience without being forced into negotiations with its “enemy” from a position of weakness.
He also urged universities to support the government in addressing the country’s challenges and said economic measures should take existing social conditions into account.
Pezeshkian further called for greater involvement of Generation Z students in finding solutions to social problems, rather than allowing their grievances to develop into protests.
The Iranian president also said he had no political affiliation with any particular group and remained open to cooperation with all political currents willing to contribute to resolving the country’s crises.
Houthis claim strikes on Mocha airport
The Houthi-run Saba News Agency reported on Friday that Saudi aircraft carried out two airstrikes on Mocha airport in southwestern Yemen.
The report did not provide details about casualties or damage. Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment on the claim.
Meanwhile, Houthi forces reportedly reached Yemen’s strategic Perim Island at the entrance to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after government forces withdrew from the island, according to Yemeni government sources.
The development marked a significant advance by the Houthis towards the strategically important shipping route.
Government sources also said Houthi forces entered the port city of Dhubab, located across from Perim Island. Control of the island and the city could provide the group with greater leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Yemen’s National Defence Council, however, said any Houthi territorial gains would be temporary and would not become a permanent political or geographic reality.
The council, chaired by Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi, said the government would continue efforts to restore state institutions and maintain sovereignty over all Yemeni territory.
It also stressed that protecting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Yemen’s coastline, islands and territorial waters was linked not only to national security but also to freedom of navigation, maritime security and global trade.
Iran, Gulf states reportedly to discuss Hormuz
Foreign ministers from Gulf states are expected to meet their Iranian counterparts in Oman on Monday as part of efforts to secure support for a temporary arrangement governing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported.
The meeting is reportedly being facilitated by Oman and Iran and is scheduled to take place in the coastal city of Salalah.
The report could not immediately be independently verified.
Meanwhile, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply. Preliminary ship-tracking data showed only seven vessel transits on Thursday, compared with 11 the previous day and a 10-day average of 15.
The figures exclude vessels that may have crossed the strait with their Automatic Identification System transponders switched off.
Iran welcomes US acknowledgement of Bahrain damage
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed an acknowledgement by US Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao that Iranian attacks had caused extensive damage to US naval facilities in Bahrain, including the headquarters of the US 5th Fleet.
Araghchi said the Iranian armed forces had also targeted other facilities supporting what he called US aggression in the region.
US officials have previously acknowledged significant damage to Naval Support Activity Bahrain. The facility’s damage has affected US naval operations in the region, including those involving the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
The US Navy’s top uniformed officer, Adm. Daryl Caudle, said earlier this month that the Navy would not return to the Bahrain facility “anytime soon” because of the damage.
Trump says he has no regrets over Iran war
US President Donald Trump has said he does not regret launching the war against Iran despite concerns about its potential impact on the November midterm elections.
In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Trump said he would make the same decision again and rejected suggestions that his supporters were becoming demoralised because of the conflict.
He said he believed his supporters were proud that he was preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump also reiterated his prediction that the war would end immediately after the midterm elections.
The conflict has contributed to higher oil and gas prices, creating an increasingly important political issue for Republicans ahead of the elections.
The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, while Iran responded with strikes against Israel and Gulf states hosting US military facilities.
South Korea, Iran discuss Hormuz
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun discussed the Middle East situation and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi by telephone on Friday.
Seoul said Cho expressed deep concern over the regional conflict and called for the restoration of lasting peace and stability.
He reaffirmed South Korea’s support for free and safe navigation and international efforts to maintain maritime security.
Araghchi outlined Iran’s position on regional developments, while the two ministers agreed to maintain communication.
The call came after South Korea sent an inspection team to the Middle East to assess options regarding possible support for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has warned that any South Korean military presence or participation in Gulf operations would be viewed as support for US “aggression” and could have serious consequences.
US announces new sanctions on Iran-linked networks
The United States on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting Kataib Hezbollah, Hezbollah and financial networks accused of supporting Iran’s regional activities.
The US State Department said the measures were part of what it called “Operation Economic Outcast” and accused Kataib Hezbollah of intensifying threats to US interests.
Washington also cited alleged attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and said it remained committed to supporting a stable Iraq free from external influence.
The sanctions also targeted financial networks associated with Hezbollah and were presented by the US as an effort to disrupt Iran’s regional activities.
Vance reportedly sought unfiltered military assessments
US Vice President JD Vance reportedly sought direct and unfiltered assessments from US military commanders regarding the war with Iran, according to The New York Times.
The report said Vance contacted commanders in the Middle East, Europe and Asia throughout the spring and summer to obtain their individual assessments before they were incorporated into broader Pentagon evaluations.
The discussions reportedly covered the war’s objectives and tactics, casualty estimates, Iran’s activities around the Strait of Hormuz and the adaptability of Iranian forces.
Vance also reportedly sought information on US weapons stockpiles and the possible impact of transferring additional weapons to the Middle East on the military’s ability to deter China, Russia and North Korea.
According to the report, commanders expressed particular concern over depleted stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles and other critical munitions.
The private assessments reportedly differed in some respects from the public picture presented by senior US officials. The report said Vance’s efforts were known to President Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defence secretary had facilitated direct access to combatant commanders so the president’s team could receive all available assessments concerning operations in the Middle East.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe also reportedly provided Vance with direct access to intelligence analysts, while the Office of Naval Intelligence prepared daily reports for him on shipping movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran rejects renewed nuclear allegations
Iran’s ambassador and charge d’affaires to the United Nations, Gholamhossein Darzi, has rejected renewed allegations concerning Tehran’s nuclear programme as political rather than technical.
In a letter to the president of the UN Security Council, Darzi rejected accusations raised during a Security Council meeting and maintained that Iran’s nuclear programme was peaceful.
He also argued that UN Security Council Resolution 2231 had expired in October 2025.
