US Sends Third Carrier Toward Iran as Flydubai Probe Deepens; Salam Visits Nabatieh (Oct 02, 1056 UTC, 1356 Israel) (Evening Edition)

• US Military Buildup — The US is sending a third aircraft carrier toward Iran, a US official told Al Jazeera, with the Pentagon planning for a potential three-carrier deployment that could bring nearly 20,000 troops, up to 150 fighter jets, and multiple missile-capable destroyers to the region Al Jazeera English. The Washington Post reported the planning is intended to give President Trump and commanders greater flexibility as the administration weighs next steps Iran International. By the end of November, three US carriers and two amphibious landing groups are expected near Iran Al Jazeera English. The USS Theodore Roosevelt is en route, while the Makin Island group departed San Diego with about 2,200 Marines and roughly 12 F-35Bs Bint Jbeil News.
• Patriot Deployments — The US military deployed two additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar in recent weeks to protect key oil and natural gas facilities, Axios reported, citing two US officials and a regional source Arutz Sheva. One battery went to Saudi Arabia last month for a key oil facility, another to Qatar Al-Manar TV.
• Hormuz Attacks — Iran has launched about 30 drone attacks and 10 anti-ship missile attacks a week against commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz since early August, often missing targets, the New York Times reported citing confidential Western security data Iran International.
• Sanctions — The US Treasury announced sweeping new sanctions on Iran's rail transit, automotive, and steel industries under "Operation Economic Exclusion" IranWire. The US also sanctioned an A7 network and rail operators to close alternative export routes, while Tajikistan received Iranian oil shipments testing sanctions bypass TLDR Iran SITREP.
• Domestic Repression — Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced three January protesters to death, according to HRANA IranWire. The Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence of Mojdeh Hashemi Bazargani, a 27-year-old Red Crescent worker held in Qazvin's Choubinder prison IranWire. A Baha'i elementary school teacher was detained to serve a prison sentence in Karaj IranWire. Seven died in a checkpoint attack and four-hour siege in Sistan and Baluchestan on October 1 IranWire.
• IRGC Rhetoric — IRGC Quds Force commander Esmaeil Qaani said the US was expelled from Iraq and suffered a humiliating defeat against Iran IRNA. Qaani also praised Hezbollah's new generation of fighters, saying they won't let Israel "off the hook" Al-Manar TV.
• Prison Chaos — An eyewitness recounted 150–160 killed or wounded inside Isfahan's Dastgerd Prison following Israeli and US airstrikes targeting a military garrison and ammunition depot behind the prison IranWire.

• Salam Visits Nabatieh — Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam arrived at the Government Serail in Nabatieh on Friday morning, accompanied by Interior Minister Brigadier General Ahmed al-Hajjar, with a message that security and safety are the foundation for residents' return and reconstruction Al-Manar TV. Salam said his government would mobilize all available resources to secure Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory and rebuild southern Lebanon Arab News. Residents symbolically entered Nabatieh al-Fawqa despite Israeli threats Bint Jbeil News.
• Israeli Strikes — Israeli tank shells targeted the southern Lebanese town of Byout Al-Seyyad, according to Al-Manar's reporter Al-Manar TV. Artillery shelling targeted Wadi Al-Salouki between Mais al-Jabal and Shaqra, and the outskirts of Zawtar Al-Sharqiya and Mayfadoun Bint Jbeil News.

• Hamas Commander Details — The IDF and Shin Bet revealed that Izz al-Din Bik, commander of Hamas's Northern Gaza Brigade eliminated earlier this week, commanded the captivity of Israeli hostages during the war, including 15 hostages, and participated in the October 7 massacre IDF Official. Bik previously commanded Hamas's Western Jabalia Battalion and headed military intelligence IDF Official.
• Strikes Continue — Israeli aircraft carried out an airstrike in eastern Gaza City Al-Manar TV. Palestinian news agency Shahab reported several IDF strikes in Gaza City, with shelling in Deir al-Balah Arutz Sheva. A Palestinian was killed and others wounded when an Israeli drone struck a tent sheltering displaced people near the Regional Junction in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis Al-Manar TV. Israeli forces conducted demolition operations and fired illumination bombs east of Gaza City Al-Manar TV.

• Olive Harvest Harassment — Israeli occupation forces harassed and assaulted Palestinian farmers, forcing them away from olive groves in Beita, south of Nablus, during the olive harvest season Quds News Network.
• Abduction in Al-Mughayir — Israeli forces abused and abducted a Palestinian youth in Al-Mughayir, northeast of Ramallah Quds News Network.
• Jordanian Concerns — Settlement expansion, displacement, and growing Israeli control would have direct consequences for Jordan, according to an Al Jazeera opinion piece Al Jazeera English.

• Iraq-US-Iran Dynamics — Iraq's foreign minister urged US-Iran talks as the US withdrew its last troops, with Baghdad signaling potential realignment if diplomacy collapses before June 2027 TLDR Iran SITREP. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned US actions disrupting Iran's trade and air transportation ties, urging Iraq to take appropriate decisions on US flight restrictions IRNA.
• Condolences to Iran — Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, Egypt's foreign minister, and Kurdistan Region president offered condolences to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over his sister's death IRNA.

NBA Academy Closure — The NBA closed its sole Africa training academy, with focus shifting to a new global academy in Abu Dhabi, affecting Africa, Mexico, and Australia Al Jazeera English.

• RAF Fairford Arrest — British counter-terrorism police arrested a 25-year-old British-Iranian man on October 1 on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism in connection with the RAF Fairford security breach, investigating possible foreign state involvement IranWire. This is the sixth man arrested over the incident Al Jazeera English. Villagers questioned safety days after the incident BBC News.
• Ireland Protest — Protesters interrupted Ireland's match against Austria with tennis balls and Palestine flags Al Jazeera English.
• NAZA Confrontation — An October 7 survivor who lost her husband and son confronted NAZA directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor during a screening in Delft, Netherlands Jerusalem Post. The film topped the Italian box office, earning about €1.1 million in its first two days Quds News Network.

• FBI Arrest in Louisiana — The FBI arrested a 33-year-old man in Louisiana who allegedly took part in the October 7 Hamas attack and traveled to the US on a fraudulent visa Behold Israel.
• DOE Engineer Arrest — A Department of Energy engineer was arrested for supplying Houthis with drones, explosives, and communications — the first confirmed insider espionage support for Red Sea attacks TLDR Iran SITREP.
• Wisconsin Mosque Leader Deportation — The leader of the largest mosque in Wisconsin is facing deportation after more than three decades in the US News 0404 IL.

Indian Pilot Speaks to Modi — Indian pilot Smit Machchhar told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video call that he opened the cockpit door while being attacked to allow passengers to halt the plane's rapid descent BBC News. Machchhar said he was on the ground and still being attacked by his co-pilot when he realized the plane was sinking Washington Post.

• Yemen Strikes — Yemen's army said it carried out attacks on high-value sites in Sanaa hours after repelling a Houthi attack on a Madinah power facility that supplies the Prophet's Mosque Arab News. The Yemeni Air Force carried out 20 precise airstrikes on Houthi targets in Taiz and Sanaa Arab News. Saudi warplanes struck areas in northern Yemen, including two raids on Saqin district in Saada IRNA. Yemen's defense ministry warned citizens to avoid 19 roads in Taiz to cut Houthi supply lines Al Arabiya English.
• Flydubai Investigation — The Omani co-pilot who allegedly hijacked the Flydubai flight has no second nationality, sources said Jerusalem Post. The wounded Indian pilot and Omani hijacker were transferred to the UAE after being cleared by medical professionals Jerusalem Post. Flydubai extended flight cancellations to Tel Aviv until October 15 N12 Chat. Arkia said it would operate rescue flights from Dubai today and tomorrow Israel Hayom. El Al canceled all rescue flights for Israelis stranded in the Emirates Israel Hayom.
• Israeli Arab Arrest — A 25-year-old Israeli Arab from Baqa al-Gharbiyye was arrested on suspicion of carrying out paid tasks for an online contact linked to Iran; prosecutors are expected to file charges Arutz Sheva. The suspect, Mohammad Halaf, was accused of carrying out tasks for "thousands of shekels" Iran International.