Iran sets seven conditions for resuming negotiations with US

Top Iranian security official says Qatar conveyed conditions to Washington as Trump returns to White House; Saudi Arabia reports Houthi missile attack on Riyadh.

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East, including military escalation, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, regional diplomacy, maritime security, humanitarian developments and economic fallout.

Catch up on Saturday’s top developments here:

Houthi missile targeting Riyadh intercepted by Saudi air defenses
Aramco fuel tank catches fire near Riyadh airport
US warns Americans over escalating Middle East tensions
Pakistan stresses uninterrupted energy supplies amid regional tensions
Oman, Germany discuss restoring freedom of navigation Hormuz

Trump cuts short weekend, returns to White House

Published: Sept 20, 2026 | 01:40 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David to return unexpectedly to the White House on Saturday, as tensions rose in the Middle East.

There was no explanation from the administration as to why Trump was no longer returning on Sunday from Camp David, a secluded presidential complex in rural Maryland, as had been previously announced.

The change in plan came as the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said on Saturday that the Iran-backed group fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh at dawn, after a fire broke out near the Saudi capital’s international airport.

Tehran rejects Washington claims over Hormuz

Published: Sept 20, 2026 | 00:31 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi rejected recent US claims about operations in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran’s forces continue to hold the initiative in the strategic waterway, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported Saturday.

Shekarchi described as “false” and “ridiculous” claims by the US Central Command commander that American forces had escorted one billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months.

He said the US claims amounted to a failed “psychological operation” rather than an accurate reflection of conditions in the waterway, according to IRNA.

Shekarchi said the statements were intended to boost the morale of what he described as “exhausted and worn-out” US military personnel in the region and justify Washington’s financial and human costs.

“The initiative in the Strait of Hormuz remains in the hands of Iran’s powerful Armed Forces,” he said, according to IRNA.

US Marines conduct drills aboard USS Portland

Published: Sept 20, 2026 | 00:30 GMT | by Web Desk

US Marines conducted hoist training aboard the USS Portland as the amphibious transport dock ship sailed in the Arabian Sea, US Central Command said in a post on X.

CENTCOM said an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter hovered above the ship’s flight deck during the training exercise. The post did not provide further details on the timing or operational purpose of the drills.

Iran sets conditions for US negotiations

Published: Sept 20, 2026 | 00:15 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran has conveyed seven conditions to Washington for starting any negotiations, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said, as Tehran weighs a possible diplomatic track to end the conflict with the United States.

Earlier Saturday, Rezaei told Al Jazeera that Iran’s terms included an end to the war “on all fronts,” the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the US naval blockade. He said Qatar had conveyed the conditions to Washington and that Tehran was awaiting US President Donald Trump’s response.

In a statement posted on his official account, Rezaei said Tehran’s message was “clear and unequivocal,” adding that Washington would have to accept Iran’s rights and conditions if it wanted to escape the predicament of its own making.

The latest diplomatic push follows the expiry in August of a memorandum of understanding reached after Pakistan-hosted talks in June. The agreement was intended to halt the fighting and open the way for a broader settlement, but it expired after both sides accused each other of violations.

Saturday at a glance

Published: Sept 20, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk

Saturday saw the regional conflict widen further, with Saudi Arabia reporting the interception of a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh and residents reporting explosions in the capital. The Saudi-led coalition also said Houthi attacks targeted civilian and economic infrastructure in Bisha, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu, while the Houthis claimed attacks on “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu.

The escalation raised fresh concerns over Saudi energy infrastructure after an Aramco fuel tank near Riyadh airport caught fire. Saudi authorities had earlier issued the capital’s first air raid alert since renewed fighting in Yemen, later declaring that the danger had passed.

Diplomatic efforts continued alongside the escalation. Oman and Germany discussed ways to “resume freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, while Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the importance of uninterrupted energy supplies and safe passage for ships during a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Iran, meanwhile, rejected White House accusations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accusing Washington of “projection.” Tehran also said diplomatic efforts were underway to resolve outstanding issues and restore the Islamabad agreement.