Author: News Desk

News Desk WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance said in an interview that the United States had achieved, or was close to achieving, its military objectives in Iran, and indicated that American forces would soon withdraw from the country. Speaking on a podcast, Vance suggested that the conflict, which has drawn international scrutiny, would continue “for a little while longer” until the Islamic Republic was sufficiently neutralized. “The president’s going to keep at it for a little while longer to ensure that once we leave, we don’t have to do this again for a very long time,” Vance said, emphasizing…

News Desk TEHRAN: Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, commended Pakistan’s mediation efforts to halt the war with the United States and Israel during an hour-long telephone conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif late on Sunday night. A statement from the Iranian presidency captured the tone of the exchange, with Pezeshkian expressing gratitude to Islamabad for stepping in to curb what Tehran described as unprovoked aggression. The call came as the conflict, now in its sixth week, continued to cast a long shadow over the Middle East, with Iranian cities hit by airstrikes, oil facilities set ablaze, and civilian casualties rising into…

News Desk TEHRAN: Iran claimed it had carried out a coordinated missile and drone strike on a US-operated airbase in Saudi Arabia, reportedly targeting high-value military assets, including a sophisticated surveillance aircraft. According to Iranian state media, the attack was directed at Prince Sultan Air Base, a facility used jointly by Saudi and American forces, and involved the launch of six ballistic missiles alongside 29 drones. Iranian outlets, including Press TV, said a Boeing E-3 Sentry — an advanced airborne early warning and control aircraft used for surveillance and command operations — had been damaged during the strike. Reports also…

News Desk WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump drew attention to Pakistan’s recent naval activity in the Gulf by sharing a post from the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on his social media platform, Truth Social. The post highlighted the transit of 20 Pakistani-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz, with two vessels scheduled to cross daily, a move Islamabad described as both “constructive and commendable.” Dar framed the operation as a milestone in efforts to promote peace and stability across the strategically sensitive region. Speaking to reporters and via his social media statement, the deputy prime minister said the…

News Desk ABU DHABI: Eight civilians, including four Pakistani nationals, were killed and 178 others injured in a series of attacks in the United Arab Emirates, the country’s Ministry of Defence said on Sunday, as officials disclosed fresh details of the scale of the assault. In a statement issued from Abu Dhabi, authorities said the casualties also included two Emirati soldiers and a Moroccan national affiliated with the UAE military, indicating that both civilian and security personnel were among those affected. Officials said the country’s air defence systems had been actively engaged in repelling the attacks, successfully intercepting 16 missiles…

News Desk BEIRUT: Three Lebanese journalists were killed in an air strike in southern Lebanon after a vehicle was hit, according to reports from Al Manar TV. Those killed included Al Manar reporter Ali Shaib and Al Mayadeen correspondent Fatima Ftouni. Lebanon’s information minister later confirmed that cameraman Mohammed Ftouni, Fatima’s brother, had also died in the strike. The Israeli military said it had “eliminated” Shaib, alleging he was affiliated with a Hezbollah intelligence unit and had been reporting on Israeli troop movements. It did not provide evidence for the claim and made no reference to the other two journalists…

News Desk ABU DHABI: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates detained around 70 United Kingdom nationals in Abu Dhabi over allegations of sharing images and videos showing damage from recent attacks linked to Iran, according to British media reports. Those held reportedly included tourists, long-term residents and airline crew members. While some were later released on bail, officials confiscated their passports, restricting their movement as investigations continued. Reports said the detentions were linked to strict cybercrime and national security laws in the UAE, under which sharing or even receiving sensitive visual material — particularly related to military incidents or infrastructure…

News Desk KARACHI: Anti-war protests spread across several continents as the conflict involving Iran triggered widespread public anger, with millions joining coordinated “No Kings” demonstrations demanding an end to hostilities. Large rallies were reported across Europe, including Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and Netherlands, where protesters filled city centres carrying placards and chanting slogans against the war. Demonstrators criticised the policies of the Trump administration, calling for an immediate ceasefire and warning of the broader consequences of escalating violence in the Middle East. In Australia, thousands also took to the streets in solidarity, reflecting the global reach of the movement.…

News Desk US Vice President JD Vance stated that most military objectives in Iran have been achieved and that US forces will soon withdraw from the country. In an interview shared on social media, he added that President Trump’s goal is to significantly weaken the Iranian government. Vance explained that the purpose of the conflict is to render the Iranian government ineffective for an extended period, noting that the dispute has contributed to rising gas prices. He further emphasized that the increase in fuel costs is temporary and predicted that gas prices will fall once US forces leave Iran. #JDVance…

News Desk TEL AVIV: Tensions within Israel’s top leadership are reportedly escalating as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the head of the country’s intelligence agency Mossad clash over the handling of the Iran conflict, according to Iranian media reports. The report claims that the Mossad chief has refrained from attending key meetings over the past week, a move interpreted by analysts as a sign of deep internal disagreement on strategy and accountability. The agency’s leadership reportedly disputes the Prime Minister’s approach, arguing that certain decisions in the Iran conflict were being misrepresented or mismanaged. Sources cited in the report allege…