Live News — October 23, 2026

CNN reports, citing multiple informed sources, that the United States is adjusting staffing levels at several embassies across West Asia, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These relocations, much like the evacuations prior to the start of the ‘Iran War’ on February 28, have been conducted erratically and without sufficient notification, while no financial assistance has been provided to those ordered to depart. US officials told CNN that the early evacuation of families from the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia was linked to the ‘Ansarullah’ group.

An Arab news agency reported that a massive explosion was heard near the King Faisal Naval Base in the southern part of the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. It remains unclear whether the blast was caused by a target being struck or if the intended target was missed.

The Foreign Minister wrote in a message that the President will travel to Russia to continue talks and consultations regarding the safeguarding of mutual interests and the strengthening of regional peace and stability.

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Barak Ravid stated: “Netanyahu failed to close even a single front or advance a peace agreement over the course of four years. Why should he succeed in doing so over the next two years? A logical scenario, at least equally [disappointing], is that Netanyahu will use these two years for more wars, further isolating Israel, damaging existing peace agreements, and also destroying relations with Republicans.”

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Public Relations: Since early today, two violating supertankers that attempted to pass through the unauthorized southern route of the Strait of Hormuz struck naval mines, causing explosions and severe fires in their engine rooms that disabled them and left them stationary. These tankers were carrying a total of more than 4,500,000 barrels of crude oil. After striking the naval mines, they were abandoned off the southern coast of the Strait of Hormuz by their crews.

A significant tweet by the IRGC spokesman?

This is likely a test originating from the local missile base.

Russian scientists have not left Iran; pay no attention to the enemy’s psychological warfare.

Moments ago, a United States Air Force F-35A fighter jet issued an emergency alert code near the Persian Gulf.

According to claims by certain unofficial sources, the Russian government has repatriated Russian specialists stationed at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant using a Tu-134 aircraft.

During these negotiations, the Islamic Resistance put forward a proposal stipulating that missiles and drones remain under government supervision while staying in the possession of militia groups, but this proposal was rejected. The Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba groups still show no inclination to lay down their arms. Additionally, Iraqi factions close to Iran intend to stage protests in response to the closure of the Al-Shaib border crossing. The closure of this crossing was triggered by the activities of shadow groups—cells consisting of 5 to 10 individuals that carry out attacks on behalf of Iran in ways that make them difficult to trace.

The conversation comes as British officials are concerned that the United States is preparing a new offensive against Iran, a move that could disrupt the energy sector and exacerbate inflation. Consequently, the United Kingdom is seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. This will be the first conversation between Burnham and Trump since Trump announced a Russia-U.S. agreement regarding diesel fuel.

In a delayed report, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations warned that on October 22, an oil tanker transiting outward through the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile 7 nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the inaugural joint ministerial meeting between the R4 group, comprising Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and the E3 group, consisting of Britain, France and Germany. Italy also participated in the talks at Ankara’s initiative. The discussions focused on the Palestinian issue, the expansion of Israeli settlements, security in the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen, and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Fidan emphasized the necessity for regional security to be managed by regional states and for international pressure on Israel to be increased.

Published imagery indicates the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps appears to be conducting a missile drill.

The identities of these soldiers were announced as Staff Sergeant Ron Jonathan Roitman, 23, from Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shay Soyleim, 20, from Hod HaSharon. Three other soldiers also sustained light to moderate injuries. The two Palestinian attackers were killed following a 20-minute firefight with Israeli forces.

President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to resume negotiations with Pyongyang, but North Korea has shown little interest in talking about its nuclear program. Washington has received no response to proposals made for holding a meeting; officials say little time remains before a regional summit in China next month, an event that had previously been considered a potential opportunity for such a gathering.