The 20:00 report · 26.9.2026
The hour is defined by a severe impasse over the Strait of Hormuz alongside diplomatic contacts at the UN General Assembly, while hundreds of thousands gathered in Paris for the papal visit. In New York, the foreign ministers of Germany and Russia held their first direct meeting since the invasion of Ukraine, as Washington rejected an Iranian framework to reopen the Persian Gulf shipping route.
Hundreds of Thousands Attend Open-Air Mass by Pope Leo XIV in Paris
Hundreds of thousands of people, estimated between 600,000 and 700,000, gathered at the Place de la Concorde in central Paris for an open-air mass led by Pope Leo XIV. The pope arrived along the Champs-Élysées, with roughly 2,400 priests and 100 bishops participating in the ceremony. In his address, he called for rebuilding trust in the Church, warned of artificial intelligence risks, and announced plans to meet victims of clergy sexual abuse, while also urging assistance for marginalized groups during a refugee center visit. This event follows the opening of the first papal state visit to France in 18 years, which began with meetings with President Emmanuel Macron. The massive attendance highlights the pontiff's outreach to the broader public while addressing pressing ecclesiastical controversies.
Trump Rejects Iran's Proposal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping within seven days, asserting that Tehran had overplayed its hand in the crisis surrounding the strategic waterway. The rejection occurred amid reports of Houthi strikes targeting Riyadh. Earlier, Trump posted a map on Truth Social referring to the waterway as the Trump Strait, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Tehran no longer trusts negotiations with Washington and blamed the United States for the strait's closure. Concurrently, France has been drafting a UN resolution to restore freedom of navigation. Trump's refusal underscores the deepening deadlock in the vital corridor through which a significant share of global energy passes, leaving regional transport without an immediate diplomatic solution.
Contacts via Qatar and Trump's Refusal: New Details on Iran Talks
New details revealed that Iran's seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was relayed to Washington through Qatari mediation, and that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met this week with Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff. Trump explained his rejection by stating that Tehran seeks an agreement because it is suffering a heavy defeat, while the United States is achieving gains. At the United Nations, Araghchi countered that the decision now rests with Washington, emphasizing that Iran will not yield to threats or dictates. Following earlier remarks by President Masoud Pezeshkian rejecting further talks, these disclosures illustrate that high-stakes indirect communication took place but ultimately collapsed, entrenching the diplomatic confrontation between both nations.
German and Russian Foreign Ministers Hold First Meeting Since Ukraine War Began
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, marking their first direct bilateral meeting since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The conversation lasted roughly 20 minutes. According to Moscow's Foreign Ministry, the session took place at Berlin's initiative, with the German delegation demanding limited press presence and prohibiting questions or recordings of opening remarks. The specific topics discussed were not officially disclosed. The meeting represents a rare resumption of direct high-level diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow following an extended freeze, though its brief duration and strict confidentiality restrictions reflect acute caution on both sides.
Pope Leo XIV Concludes Paris Visit with Mass of 800,000
Pope Leo XIV concluded his stay in Paris with a mass at the Place de la Concorde before traveling onward to Lourdes, with a later stop planned in Metz. According to German broadcaster Tagesschau, approximately 800,000 people attended the service despite lingering tensions between France and the Vatican. Central Paris was closed to traffic for the event, which drew believers of diverse faiths as well as non-believers who came to hear the pontiff's appeal for peace and unity. The mass concluded the first leg of Leo XIV's four-day state visit, which included meeting President Emmanuel Macron. The transition to Lourdes continues an intensive tour marked by substantial public turnout amid international and internal church strains.
Written automatically from the Tevel reports linked in it.