Author: Amjad Qaimkhani

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: The United States has linked any potential ceasefire agreement with Iran to the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to media reports. Reports, citing Indian media, said negotiations were under way between Washington and Tehran on a possible ceasefire, with a proposal that Iran would reopen the key shipping route in exchange for a halt in hostilities. Donald Trump reportedly discussed the issue in a phone call with Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on prospects for de-escalation. Following the call, Trump said in a social media statement that Iran’s leadership wanted a ceasefire, but stressed…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Three former officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation have filed a class action lawsuit against the administration of Donald Trump, alleging they were dismissed as part of politically motivated retaliation. According to international media reports, the plaintiffs—Michelle Ball, Jamie Garman, and Blair Tolman—claimed they were removed from their positions due to their involvement in investigations into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The former officials argued that FBI career agents are expected to remain non-partisan and should not be required to show loyalty to any political figure or party. They maintained that their…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: White House spokesperson Caroline Lewitt claimed that positive talks are underway regarding the Iran conflict, and Iran has agreed to some of the U.S. proposals. Speaking with media, she said President Donald Trump wants a deal with Iran before the April 6 deadline and that the Iran conflict could last four to six more weeks overall. Lewitt explained that there is a difference between what is discussed privately and what is communicated publicly, adding that Iran’s private messages to the U.S. will be verified. She also noted that President Trump may ask Arab countries to contribute…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump was reported to be seeking a swift end to the conflict with Iran without immediately reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to media sources The report said Trump had informed his advisers that his priority was to bring the war to a close first, while postponing any attempt to restore full operations in the narrow maritime corridor, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes. The strait, which has remained disrupted amid the conflict, is considered one of the most sensitive chokepoints in global trade. According to the media…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has warned the Iranian leadership that failure to abandon its nuclear ambitions could result in losing control over the country itself in the future. In a statement, he said Iran would eventually give up its nuclear program and hand over enriched material to the United States. Trump claimed that Iran is currently severely weakened and would comply with demands to relinquish its nuclear weapons. He added that Iran would do everything required, including handing over its nuclear material. The US president warned that if Iran cooperates, it may eventually rebuild as a…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Iranian-affiliated hackers reportedly breached the personal Gmail account of Kash Patel, posting private photos and emails online in what cybersecurity experts described as a politically motivated operation amid escalating US-Israeli tensions with Iran. The attack, claimed by a group calling itself the Handala Hack Team, has drawn attention for both its audacity and timing, coming as Washington and its allies maintained pressure on Tehran through military and diplomatic channels. The US administration has announced a $10 million bounty for information leading to the identification of the alleged perpetrators. The Handala Hack Team, which presents itself as a…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan had called for a stronger, more coordinated voice for developing nations grappling with mounting debt pressures, as its envoy to the United Nations urged greater participation in a proposed borrowers’ platform designed to rebalance global financial dialogue. Addressing an ambassadorial-level meeting of the Group of 77 at UN headquarters, Pakistan’s permanent representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the debt crisis facing poorer countries had deepened in both scale and complexity. He noted that rising debt servicing costs, tighter global financial conditions and diminishing fiscal space had left many governments struggling to sustain development priorities. Ahmad…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump will travel to China in May for high-level talks with Xi Jinping, marking his first visit to Beijing in eight years after the trip was delayed due to the Iran war. The US president said he would visit Beijing on May 14 and 15, adding that he plans to host Xi in Washington later this year for a reciprocal visit. Trump said preparations for the “historic visits” were being finalised and expressed optimism about what he described as a “monumental” meeting with the Chinese leader. The visit, initially scheduled earlier, was postponed as Trump…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Joe Kant levelled sharp criticism at Israel. The former US National Counter Terrorism Center director accused Tel Aviv of sabotaging talks with Iran. He spoke out after his resignation. Opposition to the war drove him from office. Kant laid bare his view. De-escalation demanded one first step. Rein in Israel, he said. Without that curb, negotiations crumbled. Tel Aviv launched strikes at key moments. Talks derailed every time. Peace efforts bled out. He spotted a clear pattern. President Donald Trump signaled calm from the White House. Public words urged restraint. Then Israel struck hard. Missiles flew…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has confirmed ongoing talks with Iran, calling the negotiations positive and announcing a five-day delay in planned military action against Iranian targets. In a statement shared on social media, Trump said discussions over the past two days focused on reaching a complete and lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He described the talks as constructive and encouraging. The US president said he had instructed the Department of Defense to postpone military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for the next five days, citing progress in negotiations.…