US completes Iraq exit as Hormuz tensions rise on 2026-10-01

1. US COMPLETES IRAQ WITHDRAWAL
Summary: Last US troops have left Iraq.
President Donald Trump announced the end of more than two decades of US military involvement in Iraq. The Pentagon confirmed the final troops departed Erbil Air Base, closing Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS, launched in 2014. Iraqi President Nizar Amidi said Baghdad is entering a new phase and that Iraq's independence and unified decision-making are non-negotiable. The move could reshape regional security, where Iran and allied armed groups maintain a significant presence.

2. STRAIT OF HORMUZ TENSIONS
Summary: Three tankers attacked in 24 hours.
President Trump said the US has near-complete control of the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran's navy is "destroyed"; the claim has not been independently verified. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported the number of tankers attacked in the strait rose to three in 24 hours. Tehran has not issued an official response. The waterway is critical for Gulf energy exports; disruption could continue to push oil prices and eurozone inflation higher.

3. US EXPELS IRAN'S UN DELEGATION
Summary: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ordered to leave US.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered Iran's UN General Assembly delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to leave the United States after diplomatic negotiations stalled. The move is a rare diplomatic escalation against a UN member state's representative. Iran has not announced retaliation; US-Iran tensions may deepen during the remainder of the General Assembly session.

4. GAZA AND WEST BANK VIOLENCE
Summary: Gaza strike kills and wounds 21; settlers enter Al-Aqsa.
An Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in Tel al-Hawa, Gaza City, left 21 killed and wounded. Gaza's government media office said 263 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the war began. In East Jerusalem, the Palestinian Awqaf Ministry recorded 2,468 Israeli settlers entering the Al-Aqsa compound during Sukkot. In Tulkarm, Israeli forces converted some Palestinian homes into military barracks after wide raids. Israeli authorities did not provide detailed comments in compiled reports; military chief of staff Eyal Zamir canceled his US visit over the domestic security situation.

5. FLYDUBAI EMERGENCY LANDING
Summary: Cockpit altercation stopped, plane landed safely.
Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport, Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit. Israeli media and some international sources said the co-pilot, understood to be an Omani national, attacked the captain and appeared to try to crash the aircraft with about 150 people aboard; passengers and crew subdued him. Flydubai confirmed the altercation, said all aboard were safe and that the motive is under formal investigation. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the injured captain; Indian PM Narendra Modi praised captain Smeet Machhar. The alleged sabotage intent has not been officially confirmed.

6. RUSSIA NUCLEAR WARNING, STRIKES ON UKRAINE
Summary: Russia hits Kyiv and Odesa; NATO rejects nuclear threat.
Russia said it could use all available means, including nuclear weapons, if NATO tries to isolate Kaliningrad; NATO dismissed this as psychological warfare. Overnight, Russian strikes on Kyiv and Odesa injured one person in each city. President Vladimir Putin said Moscow will make no territorial concessions and will continue the military campaign. The energy shock from the conflict is pushing eurozone inflation up faster than expected.

7. US SIGNS VOLUNTARY AI DEAL, WELCOMES SOUTH KOREAN CAPITAL
Summary: Six tech leaders join voluntary AI agreement.
President Trump signed the "White House Superintelligence Agreement" with leaders from Google, Anthropic, Meta, OpenAI, xAI and Nvidia; the deal is voluntary and carries no penalties. South Korea announced about $200 billion in US investment, including roughly $54 billion for Alaska LNG, eight large nuclear reactors and an Alaska gas pipeline. The Pentagon also created an Autonomous Warfare Command and plans to cut about 20% of general and flag officer positions.

What to watch today: Iran's response on Hormuz and the UN expulsion order, plus findings from the flydubai investigation.

*This bulletin is a compiled summary reflecting multiple sources at the time of publication.*