Author: Amjad Qaimkhani

US president hails unexpected strides in peace negotiations, claiming the thorniest disputes are largely settled, signaling cautious optimism for regional stability By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, coming less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The decision marked a dramatic reversal from earlier in the day, when Trump had issued a stark warning that “a whole…

By Amjad Qaimkhani TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated sharply after a senior adviser to Iran’s parliamentary speaker issued a stark warning to US President Donald Trump, claiming he had “20 hours” to surrender before facing severe consequences. Mehdi Mohammadi, an adviser to the Speaker of Iran’s parliament, said in a message that if Trump failed to comply, Iran would respond in a way that would send his allies “back to the stone age”. He asserted that Iran had already won the war and would not retreat under any circumstances. The remarks came in response to earlier…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: As tensions between the United States and Iran escalate over the Strait of Hormuz dispute, political rhetoric in America has grown increasingly intense, with Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders sharply criticizing President Donald Trump’s recent statements. In a post on the social media platform X, Sanders condemned Trump’s remarks as “dangerous and unbalanced,” noting their timing on Easter Sunday as particularly concerning. He warned that such aggressive language could heighten global tensions and worsen an already unstable situation in the Middle East. Sanders called for restraint and diplomacy instead of provocative posturing, urging Congress to take immediate,…

By Amjad Qaimkhani HOUSTON, TEXAS: The funeral prayers of Imad Siddiqui, nephew of jailed Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui, were held on Sunday at Sabreen Mosque in Houston after the Zuhr prayers, following his tragic death in a shooting during what appeared to be a carjacking at a local gas station in Allen, Texas. The 18-year-old university student was shot late Thursday night around 10:30 pm while at the gas station with two friends. Reports indicate that the assailants opened fire on Imad before fleeing in a Chrysler vehicle. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras reportedly helped police identify the suspects,…

Trump’s blistering ultimatum on Truth Social warned Tehran that without a swift Iran deal to reopen the Strait he would “blow everything up and take over the oil,” By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Washington faced an unprecedented moment of uncertainty late on Monday night as former President Donald Trump issued a sharply worded ultimatum to Iran before being reportedly rushed to hospital under circumstances the White House refused to clarify. The sequence of events left the capital in a state of anxious confusion, as officials and citizens alike grappled with the simultaneity of a public threat and a private medical emergency.…

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…