World News Today Live Updates: Trump tells Axios he’s approaching major crossroads in Iran war

Sep 18, 2026 05: 18 AM IST.

Key points

• Saudi Arabia confirms its first death from Houthi attacks – a Yemeni resident killed by drone debris in Taif – after more than 80 previously wounded.
• Houthis report fresh Saudi air strikes in Hajjah and near Taiz after seizing Yemen's entire Red Sea coast in a rapid advance.
• On Saturday, I noticed that I could not see, 32-year-old Sola Adebayo informed the local TVC News channel from a hospital bed.
• Israel has introduced a number of attacks throughout southern Lebanon in recent hours, according to the country's state-run National News Agency.
• Four air strikes by Israeli warplanes were documented in al-Qantara and Nabatieh al-Fawqa.

US to restrict 'luxury splurge' shopping by Iran authorities during UN General Assembly.

Notably, the US will ban Iran's delegation to the UN General Assembly from purchasing wholesale club memberships and luxury goods while visiting New York, the State Department has remarked.

"The regime's authorities want to go on shopping sprees in New York. Not on our watch. We will not let the Iranian regime's elites exploit UNGA for a luxury retail splurge paid for by the Iranian people's suffering, " spokesperson Tommy Pigott remarked in an official note on X.

Piggott pressed New York retailers to be vigilant and not "become complicit in these violations".

While ordinary Iranians endure brutal repression, water and electricity shortages, and soaring inflation, the regime's authorities want to go on shopping sprees in New York. Not on our watch. We will not let the Iranian regime's elites exploit UNGA for a luxury retail splurge paid. Tommy Pigott (@statedeptspox) September 17, 2026. Sep 18, 2026 05: 12 AM IST. Israel launches air attacks throughout southern Lebanon.

Four air strikes by Israeli warplanes were documented in al-Qantara and Nabatieh al-Fawqa. Another attack was introduced on the Lebanese town of Talloussah. Sep 18, 2026 05: 03 AM IST.

At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol, authorities say.

At least 48 individuals have died and around 100 others are receiving treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol, office-holders noted on Thursday.Banji Ajaka, Ondo state's commissioner for health, remarked the cases had been documented in the Odigbo and Irele local administration areas.

Notably, a total of 182 individuals are believed to have been affected and some are being treated in the hospital, he stated.I took like two shots and I went out on Friday.

On Saturday, I noticed that I could not see, 32-year-old Sola Adebayo informed the local TVC News channel from a hospital bed. Drinking locally created alcohol is common in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, especially in rural areas where it is more affordable and poorly regulated. Sep 18, 2026 05: 00 AM IST. Saudis and Houthis exchange strikes as Middle East war spreads.

Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis traded fresh cross-border strikes on Thursday, with civilians fleeing by boat throughout the Red Sea as the widening Middle East conflict raises fresh alarm over global oil supplies.

No US-Iran discussions have taken place since a June ceasefire agreement collapsed, deepening fears of a prolonged regional energy crisis. Sep 18, 2026 04: 56 AM IST. Trump tells Axios he's approaching major crossroads in Iran war.

US President Donald Trump informed Axios that he is approaching a critical juncture in the Iran war as he weighs whether to resume large-scale attacks in a bid to bring the conflict to an end.

"It's a major decision. Anything could happen with me, " Axios quoted him as saying.

Iran is in direct contact with the US, Trump remarked, adding that the Iranians still want to reach a agreement. Sep 18, 2026 04: 50 AM IST.

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Taken together, the developments around world News Today Live Updates: Trump tells Axios he's approaching major crossroads point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.