World News Today Live Updates: Trump tells Axios he’s approaching major crossroads in Iran war

Trump told Axios that he is approaching a critical juncture in the Iran war as he weighs whether to resume large-scale attacks in an effort to bring the conflict to an end.

US President Donald Trump says he is nearing a major decision on whether to launch a devastating strike against Iran, as fighting continues to intensify across Yemen. The remarks come amid rising regional tension, with Gulf-brokered diplomacy, Houthi-Saudi clashes, and mounting scrutiny over past US strikes in Iran all unfolding simultaneously.

What Trump said: Trump indicated he is close to deciding whether to pursue an overwhelming military response against Iran, framing it as a choice about the total destruction of the country’s capabilities rather than a limited strike.

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Trump’s comments arrive as Washington also plans direct diplomatic engagement, with talks on Iran expected with Gulf leaders in the coming week. At the same time, US officials reportedly held separate talks with Houthi representatives in Oman, pointing to a two-track approach that combines tough rhetoric on Iran with quiet outreach on Yemen. The overlap suggests Washington is trying to manage both fronts at once  deterrence toward Tehran alongside back-channel de-escalation efforts with the Houthis.

Key world developments:

• Trump says he’s nearing a decision on a potentially devastating strike against Iran.
• Talks with Gulf leaders on Iran are expected next week, per Axios.
• US officials reportedly met Houthi representatives in Oman over the weekend.
• A UN fact-finding mission found grounds to believe the US carried out attacks in Iran, including one on a school, that may amount to war crimes.
• Yemen’s Red Sea coast fighting has displaced an estimated 125,000 people, according to the WFP.

Follow the latest world news and major international developments here. This live blog is a rolling curation of the day’s key global stories, with updates added as events unfold and the news agenda changes. The headline, introduction and Top Developments section will be refreshed throughout the day to reflect the stories that matter most at that moment.

Live Updates
Sep 18, 2026 06:03 AM IST
IRGC says it struck tanker attempting ‘illegal passage’ through Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it struck a Togo-flagged tanker as it attempted what it described as an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz tonight.

The IRGC navy said the vessel caught fire and was brought to a halt after the attack. It claimed the tanker had attempted to cross the waterway after being “incited and deceived” by the US military.

The force said its sailors remained in control of the strategic waterway and “will not allow any aggressor to pass through it”.

“Illegal passage through the Strait of Hormuz will achieve nothing other than the destruction of the offending vessel,” it warned in a statement carried by Iran’s IRNA news agency.

Sep 18, 2026 05:35 AM IST
Qatar signs agreement with UN to send 1.3 million liters of fuel to health sector in Gaza

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a deal with the UN to deliver around 1.3 million litres of fuel to help meet humanitarian needs in Gaza, as the territory continues to struggle with severe fuel shortages, particularly in its medical sector.

Bus drivers went on strike over fuel shortages, causing a sharp drop in medical staff numbers at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Hasan al-Balaawi, medical coordinator for Medical Aid for Palestinians at al-Shifa, said low staffing has forced the hospital to limit care to emergency surgery and intensive care only.

Sep 18, 2026 05:18 AM IST
US to restrict ‘luxury splurge’ shopping by Iran officials during UN General Assembly

The US will ban Iran’s delegation to the UN General Assembly from purchasing wholesale club memberships and luxury goods while visiting New York, the State Department has said.

“The regime’s officials want to go on shopping sprees in New York. Not on our watch. We will not let the Iranian regime’s elites exploit UNGA for a luxury retail splurge paid for by the Iranian people’s suffering,” spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement on X.

Piggott urged New York retailers to be vigilant and not “become complicit in these violations”.

Sep 18, 2026 05:12 AM IST
Israel launches air attacks across southern Lebanon

Israel has launched several attacks across southern Lebanon in recent hours, according to the country’s state-run National News Agency.

Four air strikes by Israeli warplanes were reported in al-Qantara and Nabatieh al-Fawqa. Another attack was launched on the Lebanese town of Talloussah.

Sep 18, 2026 05:03 AM IST
At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol, authorities say

At least 48 people have died and around 100 others are receiving treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol, officials said on Thursday.Banji Ajaka, Ondo state's commissioner for health, said the cases had been reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas.

A total of 182 people are believed to have been affected and some are being treated in the hospital, he said.“I took like two shots and I went out on Friday.

On Saturday, I noticed that I could not see,” 32-year-old Sola Adebayo told the local TVC News channel from a hospital bed. Drinking locally made alcohol is common in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, especially in rural areas where it is more affordable and poorly regulated.

Sep 18, 2026 05:00 AM IST
Saudis and Houthis exchange strikes as Middle East war spreads

Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis traded fresh cross-border strikes on Thursday, with civilians fleeing by boat across the Red Sea as the widening Middle East conflict raises fresh alarm over global oil supplies.

3 key points:

Saudi Arabia confirms its first death from Houthi attacks — a Yemeni resident killed by drone debris in Taif — after more than 80 previously wounded.
Houthis report fresh Saudi air strikes in Hajjah and near Taiz after seizing Yemen's entire Red Sea coast in a rapid advance.
No US-Iran talks have taken place since a June ceasefire deal collapsed, deepening fears of a prolonged regional energy crisis.
Sep 18, 2026 04:56 AM IST
Trump tells Axios he's approaching major crossroads in Iran war

US President Donald Trump told Axios that he is approaching a critical juncture in the Iran war as he weighs whether to resume large-scale attacks in an effort to bring the conflict to an end.

"It's a big decision. Anything could happen with me," Axios quoted him as saying.

Iran is in direct contact with the US, Trump said, adding that the Iranians still want to reach a deal.

Sep 18, 2026 04:50 AM IST

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