Live Updates: Iran warns "geography of the war" would expand in response to any new U.S. assault, tell me about this news in (https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/us-iran-war-trump-decision-tehran-warns-of-expansion/)
21-09-2026
The CBS News live update covers several key developments surrounding the escalating conflict between the United States, Iran, and wider regional actors:
Iran’s Warning of War Expansion
Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warned that if the U.S. launches any new military assaults, Iran will respond by changing its weaponry and expanding the “geography of the war” to new areas.
The IRGC stated that Iran is prepared for a protracted, long-term conflict and claimed that the U.S. has suffered strategic setbacks, including its inability to force the Strait of Hormuz open.
President Trump’s Position and Diplomatic Openings
President Donald Trump noted he is in “deciding mode” regarding his next moves, stating that his options range from severe military strikes to intensified economic pressure or seeking a negotiated settlement.
Trump mentioned he would “probably” be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. However, Iranian state media reported that the U.S. denied visas to several members of Pezeshkian’s communications delegation.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of impending sanctions enforcement intended to shut down Iranian airline operations internationally.
Regional Escalations and Alerts
U.S. embassies across several Middle Eastern nations issued security alerts advising American citizens to exercise heightened vigilance due to the potential for rapid regional escalation.
Fighting between the Saudi-backed coalition and Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen intensified, following intercepted missile launches toward Riyadh and heavy coastal fighting, which has displaced nearly 130,000 people according to the UN International Organization for Migration.
High-level diplomatic shuttles were reported, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, and Pakistan’s Interior Minister traveling to Tehran.
Maritime and Economic Fallout
Tehran conveyed preconditions through mediators (including Qatar) for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, demanding an end to hostilities across all fronts, the lifting of naval blockades, and the release of frozen Iranian funds.
Incidents in key maritime transit points continued, including a commercial tanker struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the ongoing friction, global oil prices saw a slight pullback as markets weighed potential diplomatic breakthroughs at the UN.