Dubai, October 1: Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran has received an official response from the United States to its proposal aimed at ending the seven-month war, but have not disclosed whether Washington rejected the plan.
US President Donald Trump had publicly dismissed Iran’s proposal several days ago. The latest response comes as efforts to maintain oil and fuel exports through alternative routes have brought shipments closer to pre-war levels.
Israeli Strikes Kill Five Palestinians in Gaza
Israeli strikes killed five Palestinians and injured 19 others in Gaza, according to hospital officials, in the latest violence since Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire nearly a year ago.
Officials at Shifa Hospital said an Israeli strike killed a woman and critically injured her husband in Gaza City. Another strike hit a bus, killing four people and injuring at least 14 others. A separate strike in Khan Younis injured four Palestinians, according to Nasser Hospital officials.
The Israeli military said it was reviewing information regarding the Khan Younis strike.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are generally regarded as reliable.
US Completes Troop Withdrawal From Iraq
The US military said it has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission focused on fighting the Islamic State group.
The Iraqi government described the move as a sign of the country’s growing sovereignty, while Iran-backed groups also welcomed the withdrawal. However, the development has raised concerns among some sections of Iraq, particularly in the Kurdish region.
Trump welcomed the withdrawal, describing it as the end of what he called a costly military engagement.
Gulf Oil Exports Near Pre-War Levels
Alternative export routes and a US-protected shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz have helped Gulf oil and fuel exports approach pre-war levels, according to data firm Kpler.
Exports through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, a pipeline to Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman and a US-protected tanker route have helped offset disruptions caused by threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Kpler estimates that around 21.8 million barrels per day of crude and refined fuel products are currently being shipped each week, compared with a pre-war baseline of 23.3 million barrels per day.
The alternative routes, however, remain more costly and time-consuming.
Egypt Says Suez Canal Lost $20 Billion in Revenue
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said the Suez Canal has suffered a cumulative loss of around $20 billion in revenue since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the resulting regional conflict.
El-Sissi attributed the decline to disruptions in maritime traffic and the wider geopolitical crisis, which he said had also contributed to higher food and energy costs.
Traffic through the canal was significantly affected after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels began targeting vessels heading towards Israel following the outbreak of the Gaza war.
Saudi Crown Prince Says Kingdom Can Deter Threats
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the kingdom possesses the military and human resources needed to deter threats from its adversaries.
Speaking at the opening of a new session of the Shura Council, he said Saudi Arabia was capable of responding to threats regardless of their source.
The comments come amid continued tensions involving Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis have expanded their presence around strategic areas near the Red Sea and have previously targeted Saudi interests and maritime routes, raising concerns over regional security and global trade.
