Hormuz Clashes Escalate as US Sinks IRGC Boats and Iran Claims Third Drone Kill (Sep 15, 1851 UTC, 2151 Israel) (Evening Edition)

• Hormuz Drone and Boat Clashes — The US military confirmed that Iranian forces attempted to capture an American surface drone in the Strait of Hormuz, with CENTCOM saying it "forcefully" responded Al Arabiya English. Axios reported that the vessels struck by the US military were IRGC boats trying to snatch the drone, and a US drone fired two missiles, destroying both boats Times of Israel. Iranian media said fishing boats were hit and fishermen were missing Times of Israel. Separately, Iran's IRGC claimed it intercepted and destroyed a third US MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, according to state broadcaster IRIB Iran International. The IRGC Aerospace Force said the drone was brought down by its air defense system Al-Manar TV. This follows earlier claims of drone kills in the same area.
• IAEA Conference — Iran said a US effort to block its membership in a committee of the IAEA General Conference failed, with Tehran securing significantly more votes in a subsequent ballot IRNA. AEOI spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi told the conference that military attacks, sabotage, and assassinations cannot destroy Iran's nuclear industry IRNA.
• Diplomatic Moves — Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit China on Wednesday, China's Foreign Ministry said Jerusalem Post. Araghchi also held a phone call with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, discussing regional stability Al-Manar TV. Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni left for Ankara for talks on police cooperation and border security IRNA.
• Domestic Repression — Tehran police arrested a suspect in a Molotov attack in the Poonak neighborhood IranWire. Kurdish political prisoners announced a hunger strike on the anniversary of Jina Amini's death IranWire. A legal case was opened against director Reza Dormishian in Tehran court IranWire. The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims issued a statement saying repression won't stop demands for justice IranWire.
• US Sanctions — US prosecutors in New York filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking approximately $61 million in Iranian oil crypto revenue IranWire. The US Treasury's Scott Bessent hit Russia's state-owned bank with new Iran sanctions, described by a former Treasury official as "a China play" FDD.

• Israeli Strikes Continue — An Israeli air raid targeted the town of Al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon, according to Al-Manar TV Al-Manar TV. Israeli artillery targeted the town of Hadatha Quds News Network. The IDF said troops from the 55th Brigade located and destroyed a Hezbollah hideout containing 32 ready-to-use rockets aimed at Israel Arutz Sheva.
• Political Reactions — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejected Israeli claims that the Lebanese Army is failing to perform its duties, saying there is "absolutely no truth" to the allegations Bint Jbeil News. Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar said the resistance will continue as long as any inch of Lebanese land remains occupied Al-Manar TV. Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated thanks to Iran for standing by Lebanon Al-Manar TV.

• Commander Strikes — The IDF and Shin Bet killed Ahmad Batash, commander of Hamas' Jabaliya Battalion in the northern Gaza Strip, in an overnight strike IDF Official Jerusalem Post. Batash was responsible for managing weapons logistics for the Northern Gaza Brigade Jerusalem Post. The IDF also killed Mohsen Farid Said Abu Hadaf, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket cell commander who infiltrated the Kissufim area during the October 7 massacre IDF Official Manniefabian. Two other Hamas commanders, Rafat Abu Zamar and Muhammad Khader Fahmi Aghour, were killed in strikes on Monday Manniefabian.
• Civilian Casualties — Israeli strikes in Gaza killed two people, including a child, according to medics Reuters. Quds News Network reported a double-tap strike killed a Palestinian child and a man who rushed to help him near Sheikh Radwan Quds News Network. The UN rights chief said bodies are still being pulled from rubble three years after Israeli bombardment, most of them women and children UN News.

Settlement Expansion — Israeli occupation forces demolished Palestinian agricultural land and structures in Khirbet Humsa in occupied Hebron, with a local resident saying Israel appears to be pursuing a plan to create a continuous belt of settlements from northern to southern Hebron Quds News Network. Israeli forces stormed Palestinian homes in the village of Al-Mughayyir Quds News Network. IDF troops found Hamas flags, IDF uniforms, and weapons in a village in Samaria News 0404 IL.

• Yemen Displacement — The UN reported that nearly 100,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since fighting intensified earlier this month, with thousands making the risky maritime journey to Djibouti UN News Al Jazeera English. The escalating conflict is choking off aid shipments UN News.
• Saudi Condemnation — Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, and the Muslim World League condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia Arab News. Egypt's President el-Sisi met with Saudi Crown Prince MBS and backed the Saudi call for secure Red Sea navigation, noting Suez Canal revenues dropped by $7 billion in two years Al Jazeera English.
• US-China Talks — US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with China's He Lifeng this weekend Reuters. Iran's Foreign Minister will visit China on Wednesday Jerusalem Post.

Netherlands Rail Sabotage — A major coordinated sabotage attack was carried out against railway infrastructure at more than 20 locations in the Netherlands, with large metal pipes deliberately attached to tracks to trigger safety system failures Behold Israel. The incident has not been linked to any specific actor.

US Politics — President Trump accused the FBI under Joe Biden of failing to act properly regarding the July 2024 assassination attempt, calling it a "failed Democratic plot" N12 Chat. FBI Director Kash Patel defended a hiring policy change on bestiality and prostitution during a heated Senate debate Al Jazeera English.

• Philippines Election — The election in the Bangsamoro region ended in a hung parliament, with no party winning a majority Al Jazeera English.
• India-Afghanistan Cricket — India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets to seal the T20 series Al Jazeera English.

• Yemen Conflict — Houthi forces now control Mocha and the Hanish islands, with Bab al-Mandab tanker throughput at 62% of pre-war levels TLDR Iran SITREP. The Yemeni army stepped up strikes on Houthis near Bab Al-Mandab ahead of a possible ground offensive Arab News. A Yemeni military source denied any threat targeting Mecca or other holy sites Al-Manar TV.
• Saudi Oil Pipeline — Satellite imagery revealed major damage to Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline at a pumping station, with experts estimating repairs could take more than a month BBC News. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the pipeline should be back within days Reuters. Saudi Arabia informed European customers of oil shipment cancellations for September Al-Manar TV.
• DR Congo Protests — Police cracked down on protests against constitutional changes seeking a third term for the president Al Jazeera English.