Congress was notified of the move on Monday, and it’s likely to come as a relief to U.S. prisoners’ families and supporters, many of whom have waited several years for the return of the detainees. It also is expected to come under harsh criticism from Republicans in Congress opposed to any agreement that allows for the release of frozen Iranian funds, money that is being transferred from South Korea to Qatar and limited for the purchase of humanitarian goods like food or medicine.
The deal marks a major breakthrough for the longtime adversaries who remain at loggerheads over a range of issues, including the rapid expansion of Tehran’s nuclear program, its ongoing military support for Russia and Iran’s harsh crackdown on dissent. Though it remains unclear when the two sides could complete the prisoner transfer, Monday’s announcement comes as President Biden and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi each prepare to travel to New York for the annual U.N. General Assembly next week.
Amid the prisoner release talks, the United States and Iran have been discussing a possible informal arrangement that would seek to place some limitations on Iran’s nuclear program and avoid an international crisis. U.S. officials have insisted, however, that those talks are unrelated to the prisoner-exchange negotiations.
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The U.S. prisoners held by Iran include Siamak Namazi, an Iranian American who had been behind bars in Tehran for nearly eight years, the longest duration the Islamic republic has jailed any American. Others include Morad Tahbaz, an Iranian American who also holds British citizenship, and Emad Shargi, an American Iranian dual citizen. Each was released from Iran’s notorious Evin Prison last month in an initial step of the deal.
Two other American detainees involved in the swap have not been named at the request of their families.
While the five American detainees remain in Iran, the waiver decision, first reported by the Associated Press, tees up the prisoners’ full release, which could happen as early as next week amid the high-profile U.N. gathering, according to people familiar with the matter. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive details.
South Korea, one of Iran’s largest oil customers, has held $6 billion in Iranian funds as a result of a waiver issued by the Trump administration in 2018 that allowed Seoul to continue purchasing Iran’s oil. Those funds became stuck in 2019 when the Trump administration tightened sanctions on Iran.
Nigeria has secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after receiving 172 votes in an election by the UN General Assembly, earning the country a three-year term on the international body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide.
The election was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Nigeria will serve on the 47-member council from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.
Nigeria was among 15 countries elected to the council for the new term. The other successful candidates included Zambia, Ghana, Burundi, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Nepal, Moldova and Ukraine.
Among the African candidates, Zambia received 177 votes, Ghana secured 173, Nigeria obtained 172, while Burundi received 160 votes.
The election gives Nigeria an opportunity to participate in international deliberations on human rights standards, alleged violations and measures aimed at improving the protection of fundamental freedoms across the world.
However, the process has attracted criticism from human rights organisations because the election was uncontested. Regional groups nominated exactly as many candidates as there were available seats, meaning there was no competitive ballot among rival candidates within the respective groups.
The UN Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body based in Geneva, Switzerland. Established in 2006, it is mandated to address human rights violations, promote respect for fundamental freedoms and make recommendations to governments and the international community.
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The council comprises 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly through a secret ballot. Its seats are allocated among five regional groups to ensure geographical representation, and members serve staggered three-year terms.
The body examines human rights situations in individual countries, conducts its Universal Periodic Review of UN member states and considers complaints and reports concerning alleged abuses. It can also appoint independent experts, establish commissions of inquiry and authorise fact-finding missions to investigate serious allegations.
Although the council plays an important role in international human rights oversight, it does not operate as a criminal court and cannot independently impose criminal sentences on individuals accused of abuses.
Nigeria’s election comes amid continuing international scrutiny of human rights conditions in several countries, including concerns about police conduct, accountability, freedom of expression and the treatment of vulnerable groups.
The selection of countries with contested human rights records has been criticised by advocacy organisations, which argue that uncontested elections can weaken accountability and reduce pressure on candidates to demonstrate their commitment to protecting fundamental rights.
The criticism has also raised questions about how elected countries will use their positions on the council to address allegations of abuses and support international human rights standards.
For Nigeria, membership offers a platform to contribute to debates on issues such as unlawful killings, torture, discrimination, the rights of women and children, freedom of expression and the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.
The country will also be expected to participate in council sessions, consider resolutions and engage with other member states on international human rights concerns.
Nigeria’s three-year membership begins in January 2027. Its performance on the council will be watched alongside its domestic human rights record, including how authorities address allegations of misconduct and strengthen accountability and protection for citizens.
The election is therefore both a diplomatic achievement for Nigeria and an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to the principles the council was established to uphold.
Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh Shot Down as Debris Injures Four, Damages 15 Homes
Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, as debris from earlier missile interceptions injured four people and damaged about 15 residential homes in the Saudi capital.
The developments were announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, amid escalating attacks involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi armed group.
Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, confirmed that a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh had been intercepted and destroyed.
Saudi authorities subsequently lifted danger warnings issued for Riyadh and Al-Kharj Governorate through the country’s National Early Warning Platform, indicating that the immediate threat covered by those alerts had passed.
The missile interception came after loud explosions were heard over Riyadh late on Tuesday as Saudi air defences engaged incoming aerial threats.
According to the Saudi Civil Defence, debris from two previously intercepted cruise missiles fell on residential areas, injuring four people and causing material damage to approximately 15 homes.
The injured comprised two women, a man and a child. Authorities said the debris caused limited damage to the affected properties, while images released by Saudi officials showed damage inside residential buildings.
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Emergency services responded to the incident, and the relevant authorities implemented established safety procedures. The four injuries were attributed to falling missile fragments rather than a direct impact from the intercepted missiles.
The latest interception was part of a broader series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting threats over Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom, including Dhahran and Al-Kharj.
Saudi officials also reported that three drones had been destroyed north of Riyadh on Tuesday.
In a separate incident, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry confirmed that an administrative building belonging to state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, was struck on Tuesday evening, causing what authorities described as a limited fire.
The ministry said there were no casualties from the fire. Reports indicated that the building was part of the Aramco headquarters complex, which houses offices associated with the company’s extensive oil and energy operations.
The Houthis have claimed attacks against Saudi strategic and energy facilities, including Aramco installations and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The latest developments have raised further concerns about the security of civilian areas and critical infrastructure across the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond to attacks against its territory. The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to protecting its security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The renewed confrontation has also prompted military action by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. On Tuesday, the coalition announced operations targeting facilities it said were being used to support Houthi attacks. It issued warnings urging civilians to stay away from designated locations.
The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have said their attacks are retaliation for Saudi military operations against them. The conflict has intensified after years of intermittent fighting and has increased concerns about the potential impact on regional stability, energy supplies and international shipping.
The latest missile interception in Riyadh underscores the continuing threat posed by missiles and drones in the conflict. Although the ballistic missile targeting the capital was destroyed, falling debris from earlier interceptions demonstrated the risks to residents even when air defences successfully engage incoming weapons.
Saudi authorities have not reported further casualties from the latest ballistic missile interception. The situation remains tense as the kingdom continues to monitor and respond to incoming aerial threats.
Israeli settlers have reportedly set fire to a mosque, a vehicle and an olive tree in a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, in an attack that has renewed concerns about violence against Palestinian communities and religious sites.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 14, 2026, when a group of settlers raided Mikhmas, also spelt Mukhmas, northeast of occupied Jerusalem.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the Jerusalem Governorate reported that dozens of settlers entered the village shortly after midnight and set fire to a mosque and a nearby olive tree. A vehicle was also completely burned during the attack.
Reports from the scene showed damage to the mosque’s entrance. No injuries were reported in the initial accounts of the incident.
Mohammed Kanaan, a member of Mikhmas’ municipal council, told Anadolu Agency that the attackers set fire to a prayer room and a vehicle at about 2 a.m. local time. He said residents alerted the relevant authorities and requested the intervention of firefighting crews.
Reports also indicated that nationalist and racist slogans were spray-painted on the mosque and other buildings in the village. The extent of the damage and whether anyone had been arrested in connection with the attack were not immediately clear.
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The attack adds to continuing concerns over Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian residents have reported assaults, intimidation, property destruction and attacks on farmland.
The incident is particularly sensitive because it involved a Muslim place of worship. Religious sites and civilian property are protected under international humanitarian law, and deliberate attacks against them raise serious legal concerns.
The latest incident also comes amid the annual olive harvest, an important source of income for many Palestinian farming families. The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said on Monday that it had documented 136 attacks linked to the olive harvest since the beginning of October. The reported incidents included beatings, intimidation, gunfire, theft of olives and farming equipment, and damage to trees.
The burning of the mosque in Mikhmas follows other reported arson attacks on mosques in the West Bank in recent months. In July, two mosques in the Palestinian villages of Qusra and Kour were set on fire following deadly clashes in the territory.
Reuters reported at the time that the Israeli military had confirmed evidence of arson and graffiti at the affected mosque sites and condemned attacks on religious places. The incidents prompted renewed calls for measures to prevent further attacks and hold those responsible accountable.
The wider situation in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory remains tense, with attacks by settlers and Israeli military operations contributing to insecurity for residents. Palestinian officials have repeatedly called for stronger protection of communities and accountability for attacks on civilians and their property.
The circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s mosque attack remain under investigation, and it was not immediately clear whether Israeli authorities had announced arrests or opened a formal inquiry.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the safety of Palestinian religious sites, homes and agricultural land, as calls grow for effective action against violence in the occupied West Bank.
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