Author: News Desk

News Desk TEHRAN: Iran has warned that any attack on its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be treated as a declaration of war against the entire Muslim world, raising tensions amid renewed rhetoric from US and Israeli figures. According to a British news agency, Iran’s parliamentary commission on national security said in a statement that any attempt on Khamenei’s life would prompt the issuing of a religious edict for jihad. The commission warned that such an act would provoke a response from what it described as “soldiers of Islam” across the world. The warning follows comments made last week…

Middle East Eye reported that the Trump administration has moved to close a temporary camp in Qatar that had been sheltering Afghan nationals News Desk KABUL: The Taliban regime in Afghanistan continues to face diplomatic isolation, as recent developments highlighted ongoing challenges in securing international engagement. Russian officials confirmed that Moscow has not held direct discussions with the United States over Afghan affairs, signaling a lack of high-level dialogue on the country’s future. According to reports by Ariana News and Afghan International, Russian envoy Zamir Kabulov stated that Russia had no scheduled meetings with the US on Afghanistan this year.…

News Desk DOHA: The US and UK are reducing the number of personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar as President Donald Trump considers possible action against Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests. Officials described the partial American withdrawal as a “precautionary measure.” Some UK military personnel are also understood to be leaving. A Qatari government statement said the measures were “in response to the current regional tensions.” Trump has warned that the US would take “very strong action” if Iranian authorities executed protesters. Iran, in turn, has said it will retaliate if attacked. Rights groups say more…

News Desk DOHA: Qatar warned on Tuesday that any military escalation between the United States and Iran would have grave consequences for the region, following Washington’s threats of strikes in response to a government crackdown on protests in the Islamic republic. “We know that any escalation… would have catastrophic results in the region and beyond, and therefore we want to avoid that as much as possible,” said Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry, at a press conference in Doha. In June, Iran targeted the United States’ Al Udeid military base in Qatar in retaliation for earlier American strikes…

News Desk TEHRAN: Iran has issued a sharp response to a message by US president Donald Trump directed at Iranian protesters, accusing Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of responsibility for the suffering of the Iranian people. According to Arab media reports from Tehran, Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in response to Trump’s remarks that Iran designates both Trump and Netanyahu as the “principal killers of the Iranian people”. The reaction followed a social media message by Trump in which he addressed Iranian demonstrators, urging them to continue what he described as patriotic protests…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: Four US cricketers of Pakistani heritage have reportedly had their visas denied by India ahead of the T20 World Cup, highlighting ongoing tensions affecting sports diplomacy in the region. Fast bowler Ali Khan confirmed the visa rejection on social media, while reports indicate that teammates Ehsan Adil and Mohammad Mohsin also had their visas declined. Sources suggest that the denials were linked to the players’ Pakistani backgrounds. The United States is placed in a group alongside Pakistan, India, Namibia, and the Netherlands. The US is scheduled to play its opening match against India on 7 February.…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: India’s army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, publicly acknowledged that Pakistan had access to detailed satellite intelligence during what India has termed Operation Sindoor, revealing the real-time movements of Indian aircraft and military units, officials said. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, General Dwivedi confirmed that Pakistani forces were aware of which aircraft, planes, and central units were deployed, as well as their operational locations during the operation. The admission marked a rare public acknowledgment of a significant intelligence vulnerability, even as the army chief maintained a confrontational stance toward Pakistan. According to reports by…

News Desk LONDON: British intelligence has warned that Parmjit Singh Pama, a leading Khalistani activist and coordinator for the UK and Europe’s Khalistan Referendum campaign, faces serious threats from Indian state actors. Pama, a close associate of the late Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, has been advised by UK authorities to take strict security precautions. According to British media reports from London, MI5 has issued a warning so serious that Pama does not reside at his Southall home and is not permitted to share his residential location with anyone. The Indian High Commission in London declined to comment…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: Indian media reported that New Delhi had engaged a United States-based lobbying firm to help facilitate meetings and dialogue with senior American officials throughout 2025. According to the reports, the firm played a central role in coordinating both calls and in-person meetings between Indian representatives and officials from the US State Department as well as the National Security Council. It also assisted in preparing for visits by Indian diplomats to Washington, providing logistical support and strategic guidance to ensure access to key decision-makers. Defence analyst Sushant Singh, who is based in the United States, stated on…

News Desk LONDON: The British Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, condemned Israel’s decision to block aid and tents destined for Gaza, calling it “unforgivable.” Speaking in parliament during a debate on the humanitarian crisis, Falconer said Israel had previously agreed, without interference from the UN or other agencies, that aid would be allowed under a peace plan. He criticized Israel’s recent restrictions on 37 NGOs, including six branches of Doctors Without Borders and two of Oxfam, leaving large quantities of aid stranded at the border. “Trucks are entering Gaza, but key crossings remain closed. Convoys are being turned…