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 Wednesday’s top developments here:

  • Golan will remain Syrian, vows President al-Sharaa at UN
  • Oil prices fall after Trump hails 'good' talks with Iran
  • Iranian President Pezeshkian arrives in New York: Report
  • US sanctions set to hit Iran airlines after cancellations reported

Wednesday at a glance

Published: Sept 24, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk


Iranian airlines were forced to cancel some international flights on Wednesday after the United States tightened sanctions on Iran's aviation industry in a new effort to cripple its economy.

Georgia and Azerbaijan have officially confirmed suspending flights, and a travel agent in Tehran told AFP that flights to Baghdad, Muscat and Qatar were also halted, though routes to other destinations remained available, including China.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new measures as part of an earlier threat to impose "economic D-Day" on Iran, an attempt to force it into submission following nearly seven months of war.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone at the United Nations on Wednesday, rejecting US and Israeli pressure on Tehran while insisting Iran remains open to dialogue and negotiations without accepting what he described as the language of force.

“We will never bow our head or bend at the knee,” Pezeshkian told the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in his first address to the forum since the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran.

Oil prices fell after President Donald Trump said US and Iranian representatives had met for "very good" talks at the United Nations.

The international benchmark, Brent crude, and main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, dipped to $98.91 and $89.93 per barrel respectively in early Asian trade – well below the symbolic $100 mark they have smashed repeatedly since the Middle Eat war broke out in February.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that there was “no weapon that rivals dialogue and peace in undermining the effectiveness of the adversaries’ offensive tools.”

“Peace means more than just the absence of war; it encompasses tranquillity and prosperity,” he said according to Iranian state news agency.

Separately, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa insisted at the UN that the Golan Heights region will remain Syrian after Colombia last month recognized Israeli sovereignty over the strategically important territory.


For earlier developments, read our Sept 23 live blog here.