October 1, 2026: US ends Iraq operation, Hormuz tensions rise

1. US FORMALLY ENDS ANTI-ISIS OPERATION IN IRAQ. The Pentagon confirmed that the US-led coalition has ended Operation Inherent Resolve and described the withdrawal from Iraq as complete. Spokesman Sean Parnell said Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga, will lead the continuing effort to secure Iraq; the shift places the main counterterrorism burden on local forces at a time when many observers still watch the risk of ISIS regrouping.

2. US AND IRAN ISSUE CONFLICTING STATEMENTS ON HORMUZ. President Donald Trump said Washington has near-complete control of the strait, took record oil out of it, and that Iran will give up. Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned of new attacks on Middle East infrastructure if Iran's security is not guaranteed; Tehran says Foreign Minister Araghchi has received the US reply to a Qatari-mediated proposal. Qatar says it is exchanging messages between the sides to find a peaceful settlement. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported three tankers attacked in the strait in the past 24 hours, though no attacker has been officially confirmed.

3. FLYDUBAI PLANE LANDS SAFELY AFTER PILOT SUBDUED. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a pilot aboard a Flydubai flight carrying mostly Israeli passengers stabbed the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew subdued him; the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The case raises concern about civil aviation security on routes involving Israel and Saudi Arabia, while the motive remains under investigation.

4. GAZA AND JERUSALEM TENSIONS RISE; TOLLS DIFFER. An Israeli strike on a vehicle in the Tal al-Hawa area of Gaza City killed and wounded 21 people, according to Youm7; other sources cited four killed and three injured in the same area. A Palestinian was killed in a drone strike near Al-Awqaf mosque in southern Gaza. The Palestinian Waqf ministry said 2,468 settlers entered the Al-Aqsa compound, and Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir canceled a US visit because of the security situation, showing how friction extends beyond Gaza to Jerusalem.

5. RUSSIA HITS UKRAINE ENERGY WITH NEARLY 190 DRONES. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack involving nearly 190 drones and ballistic missiles targeted energy infrastructure in Kyiv and the surrounding region, killing at least five people and injuring 14. Russia separately warned Europe that increasing arms production for Ukraine prolongs the conflict. A Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight in the Amur region, killing six crew members; the events add to European worries about a winter energy crisis and continued battlefield pressure.

6. REPORT ON SANCTIONS RELIEF FOR PRISONERS DENIED BY KREMLIN. The Atlantic reported that President Trump approved a plan to ease US sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing political prisoners. The Kremlin said it has not discussed sanctions relief with Washington and does not accept that condition. The information remains unconfirmed by both governments; if further evidence appears, it could become a controversial element of US foreign policy.

7. TECH LEADERS SIGN VOLUNTARY AI FRAMEWORK AT WHITE HOUSE. On September 29, President Trump and CEOs including Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang, Dario Amodei and Greg Brockman signed a voluntary AI framework in Washington. Google also launched Gemini 4 Argon, and Micron reported quarterly revenue above 54 billion dollars, underlining AI's central role in US industrial and policy priorities.

8. VENEZUELA DEATH TOLL NEARS 2,000 AFTER TWO EARTHQUAKES. National Assembly president Jorge Rodriguez said the two major earthquakes caused 1,943 deaths, 10,571 injuries and 28,380 people treated in hospitals and field facilities. The disaster creates urgent humanitarian needs and may further strain Venezuela's already pressured health and logistics systems.

WHAT TO WATCH TODAY: Washington's formal response to Iran over the Qatari-mediated Hormuz proposal, and any confirmation on the tanker attacks.

*Information is aggregated from multiple sources for reference and reflects the situation at the time of publication.*