US-Iran tensions, oil prices dip on September 19, 2026

1. US-IRAN: TRUMP SAYS IRAN WANTS A DEAL. Trump stated Iran wants a deal now but he would not accept unsuitable terms, while weighing further military action. Washington allowed an Iranian delegation to attend the UN with travel and luxury-goods restrictions.
2. US-HOUTHI: TALKS PULL OIL PRICES LOWER. Trump said the US is negotiating with Houthis and they also want an agreement. WTI fell 1.11% to $96.153 a barrel; Brent dropped 0.54% to $99.394.
3. YEMEN: FIGHTING NEAR BAB AL-MANDAB. Houthis seized Mocha, Dhubab and Mayun Island, and are fighting government forces near the Kahbub mountains; both sides sent reinforcements. Analysts warn Houthi control of the strait would let Iran pressure energy shipping via both Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
4. FRANCE: G7 EMERGENCY ENERGY MEETING. Macron announced the G7 will hold an emergency energy meeting within weeks and consider coordinated reserve releases after the 400-million-barrel March release. French diesel hit a record 2.39 euros/liter; Macron met party leaders to discuss the impact of Middle East and Ukraine conflicts.
5. TRUMP-XI: SUMMIT PLANNED IN WASHINGTON. Trump and Xi Jinping are set to meet in Washington, marking Xi's first White House visit in a decade. The agenda includes extending the tariff truce, the Iran war, Taiwan, AI risks and fentanyl precursors; Beijing wants Washington to state "opposition to Taiwan independence." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is due to meet Vice Premier He Lifeng before the leaders' meeting.
6. UNGA: MIDDLE EAST AND AI DOMINATE. The US denied visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a second straight year. To Lam will attend from September 20-25 and visit Canada; Poland's president will discuss Russia; Bulgaria's president met Trump in New York. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti also traveled to the US for the UNGA.
7. US MIDTERMS: EARLY VOTING BEGINS. Early voting began in parts of Virginia, Idaho, Minnesota and South Dakota ahead of November 3. Voters worry about prices, Trump's conduct and the Iran war; Trump's approval is around 35% per Reuters/Ipsos. The Supreme Court rejected his mail voting limit; the US Postal Service stopped work on the related computer system.
8. CANADA-EU: CARNEY REJECTS ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP IDEA. Carney told the European Parliament nobody can decide Canada's international agreements, after von der Leyen proposed "associate member." Trump mocked the plan and threatened high tariffs; Carney was expected to meet Macron near Saint-Pierre et Miquelon on September 19-20.
9. MEXICO-US: TRADE DEAL PROGRESS REPORTED. President Sheinbaum said her September 16 call with Trump reached "certain agreements," with progress toward a bilateral deal before the midterms. The US administration is accelerating work on a bilateral trade accord ahead of the vote.
10. SOUTH KOREA-US: FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Rubio met in Washington, their first meeting in seven months, discussing the $350 billion investment, possible Hormuz deployment, and momentum for a North Korea-US summit.
11. RUSSIA: STATE DUMA VOTE DAY TWO. Three-day voting for Russia's ninth State Duma continued on September 19, the first since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. All ten parties are considered Kremlin-friendly, with tight control.
12. JAPAN: BOJ RAISES RATE TO 1.25%. The BOJ raised its policy rate by 0.25 percentage point to 1.25%, the highest since 1995 and second hike this year, signaling further increases to prevent inflation overshooting 2%.
13. CHINA-US: FOREIGN MINISTERS HOLD PHONE CALL. Wang Yi and Rubio spoke by phone on September 17, focusing mainly on high-level exchanges between the two countries.
14. UK-IRELAND: 1998 AGREEMENT REAFFIRMED. After Trump voiced support for Irish unification, Burnham and Martin reaffirmed the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement; Burnham ruled out a referendum on Northern Ireland leaving the UK.
Key event to watch today: The planned Trump-Xi summit in Washington and oil price moves after the Houthi talks announcement.
*Information compiled for reference, reflecting multiple sources at the time of publication.*