Sep 16, 2026, 09:00 AM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal endorsed by US President Donald Trump, stating that Israeli military forces will not withdraw from the enclave until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed."

In televised remarks to his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu confirmed Israel's refusal of the document, which Hamas had accepted in late July. The decision underscores growing strain between Washington and Jerusalem, even as Israeli military strikes in Gaza have substantially slowed following diplomatic pressure from the White House.

Netanyahu's stance comes amid heightened domestic political maneuvering ahead of Israel's national election scheduled for October 27. The prime minister continues to balance demands from far-right coalition partners opposing concessions with maintaining critical ties to Washington.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

The United States is preparing to roll out what US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described as "the toughest sanctions in history" against Iran and its international commercial partners. Speaking to reporters and media outlets, Bessent stated that Washington aims to remove any entities facilitating Iranian money laundering from the global dollar network, effectively severing Tehran's economic channels.

Bessent argued that intensifying financial measures would reduce the necessity for future large-scale military conflicts in the region. However, in an interview with CNBC, he adopted a harsher tone, warning allies that "you are either with us or against us" as Washington seeks to "collapse this regime." Following the announcements, Iran's rial plummeted to a record low of 1.992 million per dollar on informal markets.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, Sweden Herald, The Guardian

Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted operations along its strategic East-West oil pipeline following a series of drone strikes. The Energy Ministry described the shutdown as a precautionary measure to secure infrastructure. The pipeline closure severely restricts the kingdom's export routes, already constrained by an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and increasing threats from Houthi militants near the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Despite mounting pressure on global energy supplies, U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly declined requests from Riyadh for direct military intervention against the Houthis, citing concerns over sparking a broader regional war. Energy analysts warn that the compound disruptions to both maritime choke points and inland infrastructure could trigger significant global oil price spikes while strengthening Iran's strategic influence across the region.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, Die Presse, DW, FAZ.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the European Union address before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, outlining key priorities amidst pressing global crises.

Her speech covered critical policy areas, including European defence, economic competitiveness, climate change, migration, and ongoing support for Ukraine. Emphasizing strategic international alliances, von der Leyen put forward a proposal to grant Canada associate status within the bloc. Addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the chamber, she expressed a desire to "work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union."

Sources: Bloomberg, France24, MaltaToday