War on Iran: Is escalation more likely than a deal?
Former Iranian and US diplomats agree that the war on Iran is likely to get worse in the coming weeks.

Former Iranian and US diplomats agree that the war on Iran is likely to get worse in the coming weeks.





![This handout picture released by the Israeli army shows (L to R) the Head of the Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters Major-General Nitzan Alon and Israeli army Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi at the Hostages and Missing Persons situation room during the return of the four hostages from Gaza on January 25, 2025. [Israeli Army/AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/image-1790975634.jpg?resize=770%2C433&quality=80)
![The heads of the Joint List of Arab parties sit in the Supreme Court, where judges are hearing appeals against the Central Elections Committee's decisions to disqualify Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, Hadash-Taal MK Ofer Cassif and Arab party lists from running in Israel's upcoming national elections, in Jerusalem on Oct. 1 2026. [Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/image-1790967266.jpg?resize=770%2C433&quality=80)



Israel’s top court told Palestinian politician Sami Abu Shehadeh to withdraw from the election or face disqualification.

Attacks on Palestinians in the area are growing at unprecedented levels.
In a Time interview, Trump avoids directly endorsing Netanyahu but defends him over reported October 7 warnings.

Israeli officials claimed the Flydubai incident as a “terror attack”, despite the airline’s ongoing investigation.
Motive behind Flydubai incident still unclear, but Israeli PM is framing it within his warnings of threats to Israelis.
Israeli prime minister thanks Captain Smit Machchhar for saving the lives of 174 people on board Tel Aviv-bound flight.
Flydubai flight diverts to Saudi Arabia after cockpit emergency, as Netanyahu alleges a crash attempt.
Netanyahu faces continued pressure over alleged warnings before the 2023 Hamas attack as October 27 elections draw near.
Qatar’s top diplomat says Israel has undermined Doha’s efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza from ‘day one’.

From mass walkouts and heated exchanges to protests, this year’s UNGA produced no shortage of memorable moments.