Author: Amjad Qaimkhani

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Pakistan in the coming days for discussions linked to efforts to restart talks between Iran and the United States, according to a US official cited by Reuters. The reported visit comes amid intensified diplomatic activity involving regional and international stakeholders seeking to contain tensions in the Middle East. Vice President JD Vance is not currently scheduled to join the delegation, although US officials have indicated he will remain on standby should negotiations show sufficient progress. White House press…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON / NEW DELHI: Donald Trump has sparked controversy after reportedly referring to India as a “hellhole” and describing Indians as “laptop gangsters” in a social media post related to citizenship, according to circulating reports. The remarks triggered strong reactions in India, where ruling party representatives from the Bharatiya Janata Party gave a cautious response, saying they had seen reports of the comments but avoided direct escalation. Opposition leaders from the Indian National Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, arguing that it had failed to respond firmly to foreign criticism and was projecting weakness on the…

By Amjhad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump said he had time on his side but Iran did not, warning that “time is running out” as tensions between the two countries continued to rise. In a statement, Trump claimed that Iran’s naval and air capabilities had been severely weakened, alleging that its navy had been pushed “to the bottom of the sea” and its air force effectively destroyed. He said any deal with Tehran would only be acceptable if it served the interests of the United States, its allies and the wider international community. Trump also claimed that Iran’s anti-aircraft systems and…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump said the United States would not use nuclear weapons in any war against Iran, stressing that such arms should never be deployed. Speaking to media at the White House, Trump questioned the need for nuclear weapons, saying conventional military strength was sufficient and had already neutralised Iran’s capabilities. He said he wanted to secure the best possible deal with Iran, adding that while an agreement could be reached quickly, he preferred a lasting and durable settlement. Trump urged against rushing him into a decision, saying he would determine the timing himself. The US president…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump said a second round of negotiations with Iran could take place as early as Friday, expressing optimism that a breakthrough may be within reach. Speaking to a US media, Trump said there was a possibility of talks within the next 36 to 72 hours and that “good news” was expected from the next round. He said progress in negotiations with Tehran remained achievable. Earlier, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said diplomacy remained a tool to safeguard national interests and security. He said Iran would take steps when it determined that engagement served its…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: The White House has said that President Donald Trump has not set any formal deadline for a ceasefire with Iran, leaving the timing to be determined by the commander-in-chief. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that Iran would be required to hand over enriched uranium as part of any agreement, while adding that Trump is allowing a few days for Tehran to present a unified response. She noted that a temporary ceasefire could remain in place during this period of negotiations. Leavitt also said the US president was satisfied with the ongoing blockade in the Strait…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has claimed that Pakistan’s leadership asked the United States not to carry out any military strike against Iran, amid ongoing regional tensions. In a post on social media platform X, Trump said the ceasefire would be extended until negotiations between all parties are completed. He stated that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir had requested restraint until mutually agreed proposals from Iranian leadership were received. Trump added that he had instructed US forces to maintain a blockade and remain fully prepared for any developments. The statement comes amid heightened diplomatic…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has claimed that Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open so it can generate around $500 million per day in revenue. In a statement, Trump said Iran was losing significant income due to disruptions in the key shipping route, while adding that the United States had imposed restrictions affecting maritime movement in the area. He further said Iran did not actually want the strait closed but was making public statements to avoid embarrassment. He also claimed that contacts had been made suggesting Tehran was interested in reopening the route. Trump warned that…

Trump says intercepted vessel carries unspecified cargo he brands as a “gift” from Beijing amid rising tensions with China and scrutiny over maritime trade By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: The US president, Donald Trump, expressed surprise over a vessel seized the previous day that he claimed carried items “not very good”, in what appeared to be a thinly veiled reference to illicit cargo linked to China, Metro Morning reported. In a statement delivered from the White House, Trump described the intercepted ship as bearing unspecified goods that he labelled a “gift” from Beijing. He offered no specifics on the cargo’s contents,…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the peace process in Colombia, urging all stakeholders to sustain efforts towards the full implementation of the landmark 2016 peace accord, which it described as central to securing long-term stability after decades of conflict. Speaking at a briefing of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said the agreement remained a “Colombian-led and Colombian-owned” framework capable of delivering lasting peace and prosperity if implemented in full. He underscored Islamabad’s continued solidarity with the Colombian people, while acknowledging the steady role…