The Wire - September 18, 2026

//The Wire//2300Z September 18, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: EUROPEAN ENERGY CRISIS CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AS WORLD LEADERS ATTEMPT TO MITIGATE EFFECTS OF DWINDLING SUPPLY. IRANIAN TARGETING ESCALATES IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ. SAUDI EFFORTS TO REPAIR EAST-WEST PIPELINE CONTINUE.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Europe: Throughout the continent, various world leaders are attempting to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis, which is rapidly increasing in severity due to Saudi oil shipments being largely cut off. Italy has reduced taxes on vehicle ownership, and earlier this week Spain introduced further reductions in their tax on diesel. France has indicated the desire to hold a G7 summit dedicated to addressing the energy crisis over the coming weeks, though no specific date has been announced. Strait of Hormuz: Multiple explosions were reported overnight, as Iran struck ships attempting to transit via the Omani route. The UKMTO confirmed that at least three separate ships were targeted just north of the Musandam Peninsula, at least two of which were successfully struck last night. This afternoon, reports of 4x Iranian cruise missile launches were reported, targeting merchant vessels in the Strait. The status of these strikes is not known as of this report. Analyst Comment: The exact timing of these reports is not indicative of whether or not all of these vessels were struck on the same night; at least one of these strikes could have taken place the day prior. Regardless, the United States probably tried to get another convoy out last night via the southern Omani route, continuing efforts to export crude despite ships getting struck on every single transit. -HomeFront- USA: Around the nation, commercial airlines are continuing to draw down flights, with Southwest, United and American Airlines announcing the cancellation of some of their cheaper routes due to the rising cost of jet fuel. Nationwide, diesel prices have continued to rise with the most significant price increases being noted in the midwest, as the Joliet Refinery remains offline. Analyst Comment: Most airlines have already scaled back their flight plans, so the recent airline drawdowns are just the latest round of further belt-tightening as a result of the worsening energy crisis. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Some sources claim that Saudi Arabia has quietly requested a ceasefire with the Houthis, so that the Saudis can recover from the recent round of targeting. No one has officially acknowledged this request, and whether or not the Houthis will agree is unknown. Otherwise, repairs continue on the East-West Pipeline, with satellite imagery indicating that Aramco is trying to lay new sections of pipeline bypassing the pumping stations that were destroyed. On the diplomatic front, the Saudis have pivoted to China for diplomatic solutions to the Houthi crisis, urging China to pressure Iran, to pressure the Houthis to stop their attacks. Similarly, Pakistan has increasingly indicated that they are interested in defending Saudi Arabia, with various diplomats and military leaders "pledging full support" for the Kingdom (though no specifics have been released regarding what this might entail). So far this afternoon, missile alerts were issued for Yanbu and Jeddah, however no impacts have been reported yet. In southern and eastern Yemen, the Houthi advance continues to expand, as they consolidate the ground taken over the past few days and dig in for the long haul. Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//