Iranian media Fars News quoted Iran's parliament speaker as saying the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Tehran's conditions are met.

France said its 2027 budget draft will comply with European Commission guidance even as the country’s debt burden is expected to rise above 120% of GDP. The finance ministry said net primary spending is projected to increase 0.7% versus the Commission’s recommended cap of 1.2%. Citing weak growth and higher interest costs, the government said the fiscal trajectory has already deteriorated: this year’s deficit is now expected to widen to 5.4% of GDP versus the fiscal law target of about 5%. The draft submitted to the public finance oversight body targets a reduction in spending-to-GDP to 56.9% in 2027 (from 57.1% in 2026) and sets tax revenue at 44.2% of GDP. Government forecasts put the debt ratio at 119.3% this year, 115.7% in 2025 and 121.7% in 2027.

As of Sept 19 local time, the DR Congo health ministry reported 7,541 cumulative confirmed Ebola cases in the current outbreak, including 3,639 deaths and 1,823 recoveries; case fatality rate 48.3%.