Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks after a meeting of four European and four regional Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, October 23, 2026
UPDATES: US War on Iran, Day 243 — Tehran In Discussions With Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan
UPDATE 0635 GMT:
The Pentagon has told US legislators that the cost of the US War on Iran reached $47.1 billion by October 16.
Bombs, missiles, and other munitions accounts for more than 60 percent of the cost.
Analysts said the true figure is likely much higher, noting that damage to US bases and facilities from Iran’s retaliation may not be included.
UPDATE 0625 GMT:
International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi told a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday, “Since June 2025, we have not identified any activity to repair or reconstruct any of the facilities damaged in the military attacks of 2025 and 2026.”
He emphasized that access to the facilities is necessary to verify their condition. “Iran has not provided the requested information and access” needed to verify its previously-declared nuclear material, including 440 kg (968 pounds) of high-enriched uranium.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Officials from multiple countries are speaking of a deal, developed by regional governments from Iranian proposals, to end the US War.
Under the agreement, Iran would fulfil its offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within four days of US sanctions being lifted. In Yemen, Houthi insurgents would pull back fighters who have been taking territory from Saudi-backed government forces.
In September, Iran proposed a seven-day plan to end the war. The initiative was boosted last Thursday by a meeting of Foreign Ministers from four European and four regional states — including Saudi Arabia — trying to avert a renewal of US and Israeli strikes.
The Trump Administration is aware of the talks. European powers indicated that it wants an assurance of Tehran’s readmission of UN nuclear and weapons inspectors.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband urged Tehran to agree when he met the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York last month. However, Iran is insisted that detailed talks on its nuclear program must follow agreement over the Strait and sanctions removal.
Meanwhile, Iran and its Houthi allies are consulting over a deal for Yemen. Tehran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, met Houthi Ambassador Ibrahim al-Dulaimi on Tuesday.
A day earlier, Iran hosted a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to discuss Saudi terms over Yemen and longer-term security arrangements for the region.
In return for its pullback of fighters, who have advanced along the Red Sea coast and surrounded Yemen’s third-largest city Taiz, the Houthis are demanding that Saudi Arabia lift a naval and air blockade on Houthi-held territory.
Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said he believed the Trump Administration understood the region is moving towards a security and non-aggression pact.
I think if Iran is fully re-engaged in this idea of having all of us, eight countries at peace with the rest of the world, the economic potential is going to be enormous for all of us in the region and those outside the region who choose to take part in this development.
We have really discussed this in at length during the talks between Iran and the United States, and I think there is general acceptance that this will be the direction of travel once we have a deal in place at the end of the day.
