Iran Conflict Escalates as President Pezeshkian States US Must Choose to End War

Iran flights are heading to China and Thailand in defiance of US sanctions, while France prepares to send troops and defence systems to help protect the Saudi port of Yanbu. Iranian and Ukrainian foreign ministers have met in New York.

Meanwhile, Saudi air defences intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by Houthis, according to the coalition, and an IRGC commander was killed in clashes with gunmen in Iran's south-east. An Indian sailor was also killed as torpedoes hit a ship off Oman.

At the UNGA, a US delegate was captured walking out on Iran's speech. Iran's president stated that 'we will never bow our head' and declared that there is 'security for all or no one'.

Observers note that Trump 'holds all the cards' in the Iran crisis. Barrack stated that Gulf states agree only on the need for a way forward following a Trump meeting. Trump posed the question to the UN, 'Do I annihilate Iran?', while Antonio Guterres emphasized that the fighting must stop. Trump ultimately cut his trip short as Houthis strike Saudi Arabia, amid reports of Yemenis fleeing to Djibouti as the Houthi conflict spirals.