The United Nations said over one-third of its humanitarian programs in Yemen were reduced or discontinued between April and August due to lack of funding, with critical aid slashed at hundreds of health centers (Al Jazeera).

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz censured Iran in his first-ever speech at the UN General Assembly, claiming the country exploited the 2015 nuclear deal for its expansionist activities and to create terrorist networks. He called for a “comprehensive solution” to contain Iran. An Iranian spokesperson called the king’s accusations “baseless” (Al Jazeera).

South Korea’s defense ministry alleged that North Korea shot, killed, and burned the body of a South Korean official believed to have been trying to defect to the North. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the incident would not be tolerated (Yonhap).

Mali’s military junta appointed former Defense Minister Ba N’Daou interim president of the country’s transitional government. The group’s leader, Assimi Goita, will be vice president. N’Daou’s appointment follows pressure by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to install civilian leadership (Nation).

The European Union sanctioned two Libyan men and three companies—one each from Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey—for violating the 2011 UN arms embargo on Libya (Deutsche Welle).

The United States imposed sanctions on twenty-seven Iranian individuals and entities, and said France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are required to enforce the sanctions. The U.S. State Department also declared the UN arms embargo on Iran “reimposed indefinitely” (Guardian).

Afghanistan saw its deadliest day since the start of intra-Afghan peace talks earlier this month, with at least fifty-seven security force members killed in clashes with the Taliban. Dozens of Taliban combatants were also reportedly killed (Al Jazeera).

The United States declared a snapback of UN sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened consequences for UN members who do not cooperate (Al Jazeera). The administration is also expected to impose new sanctions and outline enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violators today (Wall Street Journal). Parties to the 2015 deal rebuked the U.S. announcement. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom argued that the United States, which withdrew from the agreement in 2018, lacks authority to reimpose sanctions on Iran or sanction countries that disregard them. Meanwhile, Iran pledged a “decisive response” against the United States and promised to uphold the nuclear agreement if the remaining parties do the same (Guardian).

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a senior Indian diplomat over Indian forces’ alleged violation of a cease-fire along the countries’ contested border in Kashmir (Express Tribune). India also accused Pakistan of a violation (Economic Times).

At least thirty-two security force members were killed and twenty-five others were wounded in Taliban attacks across several Afghan provinces, according to local officials. Dozens of Taliban fighters reportedly also died. Meanwhile, intra-Afghan peace talks continue in Qatar (TOLO).