Podcast Episode Details

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-09-23 at 01:07

---

---

HEADLINES
- US tightens Iran access at UN
- France recognizes Palestinian state with conditions
- Drones halt Copenhagen and Oslo flights

The time is now 9:00 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

This is the 9:00 PM hourly news update. We begin with a scene at the United Nations where international diplomacy is playing out against a backdrop of a sprawling crisis in Gaza and shifting alignments across the region. The United States has imposed strict limits on the Iranian delegation attending the General Assembly in New York, curbing movement and barring access to wholesale stores and luxury goods. A State Department spokesperson said the aim is to maximize pressure on Tehran’s clerical leadership, arguing that Iranian authorities enjoy privileges abroad while ordinary Iranians face hardship at home. The move signaling Washington’s intent to keep the focus on Tehran’s policies comes as Tehran, pressed by Western partners, engages in last-ditch discussions over its nuclear program.

In parallel, Iran and European powers are weighing options to prevent a revival of UN sanctions on Tehran. Two senior Iranian officials and two Western diplomats describe ongoing talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly among Iran, Britain, France, and Germany, collectively known as the E3, and with EU officials and the UN nuclear watchdog. Tehran characterizes the discussions as a way to resolve disagreements over its nuclear ambitions, insisting its program remains peaceful. Diplomats caution that while ideas have circulated, the chances of a rapid breakthrough remain uncertain as the clock ticks on the 30-day window that some European partners have pursued to reimpose UN measures.

Across Europe, the atmosphere around travel and security was jolted by drone activity. The Copenhagen airport, a major hub for the Nordic region, reopened after drones prompted a halt to all takeoffs and landings for several hours. Police said multiple large drones were spotted near the airport, leading to a suspension of operations and a heavy security presence outside the facility. In Oslo, authorities briefly closed the airport as drone activity prompted diversions, with the struggle to return to normal flight schedules expected to continue for some time. The disruptions illustrate a growing security challenge as drones become a visible tool in regional instability.

Meanwhile, at the UN, the question of Palestine’s status and the two-state solution has dominated much of the day’s diplomacy. France formally announced recognition of a Palestinian state during the General Assembly, a move echoed by several other European partners, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, San Marino and Andorra. This wave of recognitions comes as Western nations press for a path toward a two-state outcome, while the United States publicly opposes such recognitions at this stage, arguing they could complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. The Belgian prime minister said recognition would proceed only after hostages are released and Hamas is removed from power in Gaza, signaling conditional engagement rather than an immediate shift on the ground.

Among the leaders speaking at the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s recognition of a Palestinian state, arguing that recognition advances peace if tied to concrete commitments. Macron outlined a plan to support a two-state framework and to condition cooperation with Israel on steps toward ending the war, including the dismantling of Hamas and a broader international stabilization effort. In parallel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas outlined reform steps intended to strengthen governance and prepare for post-war realities, pledging elections within a year of the war’s end and a bank of reforms to the PA’s institutions, education system,

---

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago