Live: Iran denounces US-Israel attacks as regional tensions rise

Live Live: Iran denounces US-Israel attacks as regional tensions rise Iran says trust in the UN has eroded as regional governments step up diplomatic efforts Key Points France welcomes Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the US Pezeshkian says people cannot be forced into submission through military pressure Saudi Arabia issues an alert in Najran as Houthi attacks on the kingdom continue Live Updates 19 minutes agoChina has condemned the “illegal” US sanctions against Iranian airlines, a day after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Washington could impose measures aimed at shutting down Iran’s airlines worldwide. Under the weight of US sanctions, “all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world” within days, Bessent told CNBC on Monday, as the Trump administration seeks to increase economic pressure on Tehran. “China consistently opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law or authorisation from the UN Security Council,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a news conference. The dispute comes shortly before US President Donald Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in the United States. “On September 23rd, all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world.” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that Iranian airlines will struggle to operate globally on Wednesday under the weight of American sanctions pic.twitter.com/SHiDp5QOF1 — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) September 22, 2026 28 minutes agoIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is heading to the United Nations General Assembly as Tehran prepares to present its case over the war with the US and Israel. Diplomatic activity is also continuing, with France backing Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the US. Meanwhile, regional tensions remain high, with new developments reported around the Strait of Hormuz, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Gaza and Syria. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says trust in the UN has been lost, accusing the organisation of failing to uphold international peace and security France welcomes Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the US, with Paris calling for inclusive negotiations France seeks India’s cooperation on the Strait of Hormuz, with the two countries discussing freedom of navigation in Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Saudi Arabia says an alert in Najran has ended, after residents were warned of a possible threat amid repeated Houthi drone and missile attacks Iran faces growing aviation pressure, with Washington threatening sanctions that could make it difficult for Iranian airlines to operate internationally from 23 September Qatar says it is working with Pakistan to facilitate a possible US-Iran agreement, including the possibility of a short-term deal A Saudi-led coalition air strike targeted Yemen’s Hayfan district in Taiz, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah television, as Houthi forces advance towards the Bab al-Mandeb Strait An LPG tanker was hit by debris from unknown projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz, according to UKMTO, though all crew members were reported safe Israeli settlers attacked the West Bank town of al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya, with Wafa reporting damage to vehicles and homes after more than 200 settlers entered the outskirts of the town French President Emmanuel Macron walks with Jean-Noel Barrot and Jerome Bonnafont as they head to Trump Tower in New York City, 21 September 2026 (Ludovic Marin/AFP) Read more