US opens backchannel to Iran, UN votes on Cuba embargo in October 2026

WORLD TEMPERATURE
4/5. Backchannel diplomatic efforts offer slight hopes of de-escalation, yet political deadlock in Israel and missile strikes in Yemen continue to strain global security.

BRIEFING
Updated from 12:00 to 19:00 on October 29, 2026 (Hanoi time), covering only new events and fresh developments.

1. US Vice President JD Vance sent a confidential letter to Iranian security officials via Qatari mediators to probe restarting nuclear talks and easing tensions.
2. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding an end to the US embargo on Cuba with 130 votes in favor, the lowest support in two decades amid intense US lobbying.
3. The Italian Cabinet approved a 26-billion-euro draft budget for 2027, mobilizing 5 billion euros from major banks to fund personal income tax cuts.
4. Counting of nearly 500,000 double-envelope ballots in Israel leaves Prime Minister Netanyahu short of a 61-seat majority amid sharp allegations of voter fraud.
5. United Nations human rights experts condemned French authorities for excessive use of force and mass detentions of student demonstrators nationwide.
6. Houthi forces fired two ballistic missiles at the perimeter of Aden International Airport in Yemen, temporarily paralyzing civilian air traffic following an ultimatum.
7. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov stated that trilateral Abu Dhabi peace talks will only occur after November 4, explicitly ruling out European participation.

1. US VICE PRESIDENT SENDS SECRET LETTER TO PROBE TALKS WITH IRAN

US Vice President JD Vance recently sent a confidential letter to Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, through regional mediators in Qatar to explore options for de-escalating military tensions, according to The Wall Street Journal on October 29.

The communication from Washington stressed that any substantive negotiations to avert armed conflict would require Tehran to accept revised terms regarding inspections of its nuclear program. Gulf diplomatic sources disclosed that the letter was delivered as Washington weighed potential airstrike plans targeting Iranian strategic infrastructure following the US midterm elections. Speaking to reporters on the same day, President Donald Trump stated that he approved Vance's outreach on the condition that it focused on humanitarian assistance, specifically helping Iran procure essential medical supplies, while clarifying that he had not formally ordered a full restart of comprehensive political talks.

This backchannel contact emerged just one day after Iranian officials publicly dismissed a seven-day ceasefire framework proposed by Qatar. Tehran maintains that it will only return to the negotiating table if the US abandons military deterrence threats and lifts extensive economic sanctions imposed over past years.

Strategic significance: The White House's exploratory move indicates that Washington seeks to preserve a diplomatic off-ramp to avoid being drawn into a costly regional confrontation immediately ahead of midterm elections. If Tehran views the letter as a genuine signal of de-escalation, global energy markets may temporarily ease concerns over Hormuz Strait disruptions; conversely, if both sides utilize the channel merely to issue ultimatums, military strikes following the US vote will become increasingly probable.

2. UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES RESOLUTION DEMANDING END TO CUBA EMBARGO

The United Nations General Assembly on October 29 adopted its annual resolution calling for an end to the 64-year-old US economic embargo on Cuba, recording 130 votes in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions, according to The Associated Press.

Support for the measure dropped to its lowest level in two decades, marking a stark contrast to previous sessions where more than 185 nations routinely backed the measure. An aggressive lobbying campaign by the US administration prompted several Western partners to shift toward abstentions or opposing votes. Alongside the US and Israel, countries including Argentina, Hungary, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates voted against the resolution. The debate in the General Assembly Hall witnessed a rare heated altercation when US Ambassador Mike Waltz sharply condemned Havana's human rights record, drawing immediate and vehement objections from Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. Cuba reiterated that the blockade suffocates its economy and plunges millions into severe energy blackouts. In contrast, the US delegation maintained that the Cuban government's own failed domestic policies remain the primary driver of its economic distress.

This vote marks the 34th consecutive year the General Assembly has addressed the Cuba embargo. Although such resolutions carry no binding legal force, the voting pattern serves as a prominent barometer of international alignment regarding Washington's regional policies.

Strategic significance: The conspicuous fragmentation among traditional Western allies reflects growing diplomatic leverage exerted by Washington across multilateral institutions. This widening divide highlights that the US administration is prepared to deploy bilateral pressure to fracture long-standing UN consensus, leaving prospects for bilateral normalization between Washington and Havana deeply stalled.

3. ITALIAN CABINET APPROVES 26-BILLION-EURO BUDGET WITH BANK LEVY

The government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on October 29 formally approved a 26-billion-euro draft budget for 2027 designed to ease tax burdens on middle-income workers and provide targeted support for young families, according to Reuters.

The fiscal plan expands the 33% personal income tax bracket to cover annual incomes up to 55,000 euros, up from the prior 50,000-euro threshold, delivering annual savings of up to 500 euros per worker. The bill also establishes a Newborn Fund offering an annual grant of 100 euros for every child born from 2027 onward to be deposited into long-term pension savings, alongside a 5% flat tax rate for newly employed workers under 35. To fund these welfare measures, Rome aims to collect roughly 5 billion euros through exceptional contributions levied on major banks and insurance companies, as well as 1.4 billion euros from energy conglomerates and the gaming industry. Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti affirmed that the projected budget deficit will be maintained at 3.4% of GDP by leveraging flexibility clauses within the European Union fiscal framework.

This package represents the final full budget presented by the Meloni cabinet prior to the scheduled 2027 general elections. The decision comes as the eurozone's third-largest economy navigates heavy public debt obligations under rigorous fiscal surveillance from the European Commission.

Strategic significance: By compelling financial institutions to channel record profits into public welfare programs, the Meloni administration seeks to reinforce its political standing among domestic voters without triggering direct disciplinary conflict with Brussels. Nonetheless, increased levies on banks could constrain commercial lending capacity, introducing headwind risks for Italian economic momentum in the coming year.

4. ISRAELI SPECIAL BALLOTS COUNT DEADLOCKED AMID FRAUD CLAIMS

Following regular polling that produced no definitive victor, Israel's Central Elections Committee on October 29 commenced counting nearly 500,000 double-envelope ballots cast by military personnel and absentee voters amid intense political recriminations, according to Haaretz.

The latest tallies indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing religious bloc remains frozen at 53 seats, well short of the 61 seats required to command a governing majority in the 120-member Knesset. The opposition bloc headed by former general Gadi Eisenkot holds 48 seats, while Arab-majority parties retain a historic 19 seats. Facing the prospect of losing power, Netanyahu publicly alleged irregularities at polling stations in Arab localities, claiming anomalous turnout rates had distorted the final outcome. The allegations drew immediate rebukes from opposition leaders, who characterized the remarks as an attempt to undermine democratic legitimacy. Israeli police authorities confirmed that no evidence of coordinated voter fraud has been established.

Strategic significance: Special absentee ballots historically tend to lean slightly toward right-wing parties due to military participation, yet an eight-seat shortfall remains formidable for Netanyahu to overturn independently. This entrenched impasse is likely to force Israel into protracted coalition negotiations or trigger another snap election, prolonging domestic political uncertainty at a juncture of acute regional security friction.

5. UN CONDEMNS FRANCE OVER EXCESSIVE FORCE ON STUDENT PROTESTERS

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on October 29 issued an official statement condemning French law enforcement agencies for excessive use of force and mass detentions of high school students during nationwide education protests, according to Le Monde.

The statement by independent UN human rights experts underlined that the detention of thousands of underage adolescents and the severe physical trauma inflicted on young demonstrators were unacceptable. UN officials urged Paris to immediately halt arbitrary detentions of minors and comprehensively re-evaluate crowd-control strategies employed by riot police units. This international censure follows weeks of rolling strikes and walkouts by high school and university students protesting deteriorating educational infrastructure and rising living costs, which escalated into violent confrontations with police across major cities including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.

6. HOUTHI MISSILE STRIKE ON ADEN AIRPORT DISRUPTS YEMEN FLIGHTS

Houthi forces on October 29 launched two ballistic missiles targeting the perimeter of Aden International Airport in southern Yemen, compelling civil aviation authorities to temporarily suspend all commercial flights, according to Al Arabiya.

The strike occurred shortly after Houthi military spokespersons issued an urgent ultimatum demanding the immediate evacuation of personnel and passengers, alleging that a Saudi military transport aircraft was offloading arms at the facility. Both missiles impacted near the runway area, damaging perimeter installations and causing minor injuries to ground personnel. The internationally recognized government of Yemen condemned the assault, describing it as a direct threat to civil aviation and a vital humanitarian transit corridor. Flight operations at Aden remained halted for several hours before resuming under heightened security protocols.

7. RUSSIA SAYS ABU DHABI TALKS DATE UNSET AND RULES OUT EUROPE

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov announced on October 29 that Russia has not fixed a specific date for proposed trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing that consultations could only take place after November 4, according to TASS.

The remarks from Moscow dampened expectations voiced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding a summit window between November 6 and 10. Ushakov stressed that the diplomatic calendar remains strictly contingent on frontline operational conditions and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, while reiterating that Moscow firmly excludes any European representation from the negotiating table. The announcement comes amid reports that Washington and Moscow have engaged in backchannel discussions concerning potential sanctions relief for the Russian Direct Investment Fund in exchange for diplomatic concessions.

NEXT 48-72 HOURS
In the Middle East, Qatari mediators await an official response from Tehran to recent US diplomatic communications ahead of the upcoming American election cutoff.

In Israel, the Central Elections Committee is expected to complete the tally of double-envelope ballots by October 30, paving the way for President Isaac Herzog to begin formal consultations on government formation.

At the United Nations, delegations will proceed with plenary sessions on humanitarian assistance for Cuba following the vote that revealed stark international divisions.

In Europe, the Italian Parliament will receive the 2027 draft budget bill to begin preliminary committee hearings, with intense debate anticipated over windfall taxes on financial institutions.

SOURCES
Sự kiện 1: The Wall Street Journal – US Vice President JD Vance reached out to Iranian officials via Qatar mediators – https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/us-iran-vance-letter-backchannel-2026-10-29
Sự kiện 1: Axios – Trump confirms Vance letter focused on humanitarian aid as regional talks simmer – https://www.axios.com/2026/10/29/trump-vance-iran-letter-backchannel
Sự kiện 2: The Associated Press – UN General Assembly votes to end Cuba embargo as US lobbying erodes support – https://apnews.com/article/un-cuba-embargo-vote-resolution-2026
Sự kiện 2: United Nations Meetings Coverage – General Assembly adopts resolution on necessity of ending US embargo against Cuba – https://press.un.org/en/2026/ga12845.doc.htm
Sự kiện 3: Reuters – Italy approves 26-billion-euro 2027 budget with windfall tax on banks – https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-approves-2027-budget-bill-meloni-2026-10-29/
Sự kiện 3: Corriere della Sera – Manovra 2027, via libera dal Consiglio dei Ministri: sgravi Irpef e fondo nuovi nati – https://www.corriere.it/economia/finanza/2026-10-29/manovra-2027-meloni-governo-tasse.shtml
Sự kiện 4: Haaretz – Israel election count deadlocked as double-envelope ballots begin and Netanyahu alleges fraud – https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2026-10-29/israel-election-double-envelopes-stalemate
Sự kiện 4: The Guardian – Netanyahu coalition stuck at 53 seats as soldier ballots counted and tensions flare – https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/29/israel-election-results-netanyahu-double-envelopes
Sự kiện 5: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights – UN experts condemn excessive police force and mass detention of minors in French protests – https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/10/france-un-experts-condemn-excessive-police-force-protests
Sự kiện 5: Le Monde – L'ONU condamne l'usage excessif de la force lors des manifestations lycéennes en France – https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/10/29/manifestations-lyceennes-experts-onu-denoncent-repression.html
Sự kiện 6: Al Arabiya – Houthi ballistic missiles strike perimeter of Aden International Airport, flights halted – https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2026/10/29/houthi-missiles-strike-aden-airport-perimeter
Sự kiện 6: Gulf News – Air traffic temporarily suspended at Aden airport after two Houthi missile strikes – https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/aden-airport-targeted-in-missile-attack-2026-10-29
Sự kiện 7: TASS – Kremlin aide Ushakov says Abu Dhabi talks date unset and will occur after November 4 – https://tass.com/politics/1865421
Sự kiện 7: The Kyiv Independent – Russia rules out European presence at Abu Dhabi peace consultations – https://kyivindependent.com/russia-rules-out-european-presence-abu-dhabi-talks-2026/
Thị trường: Investing.com – Global financial markets overview: S&P 500, Dow Jones, Brent crude, Gold, and Euro Stoxx – https://www.investing.com/news/economy/global-markets-daily-roundup-oct-29-2026
Thị trường: Morningstar – Stock market today: Dow gains while tech drags S&P 500 and Nasdaq – https://www.morningstar.com/markets/stock-market-today-october-29-2026