Trump Gives Iran 48 Hours to Open Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s top diplomat reiterates willingness to join peace talks in Pakistan
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a social media post on Saturday that his country has “never refused to go to Islamabad.”
Araghchi said what Iran cares about are the terms “of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us.”
Pakistan said last week that it would soon host talks between the U.S. and Iran. It is not clear when or if the talks will take place. — AP
4 EU countries urge bloc to impose profit cap on energy companies
The finance ministers of Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Italy say that a European Union-wide tax on energy companies’ profits would distribute the burden more fairly.
The call, made public in a letter on Saturday, comes amid concerns that surging oil and gas prices driven by the Iran war will fuel inflation and strain households.
Europe is largely dependent on imported oil and gas, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. — AP
Iraq-Iran border crossing temporarily closed after deadly attack
Omar al-Waeli, head of Iraq’s Border Ports Authority, said on Saturday that the strike on the Shalamcheh border crossing killed one person and wounded five others.
Authorities did not offer further details on the strike.
The Iraqi government said it was directing traders and travelers to alternative crossings.— AP
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed gratitude towards Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen from Iran amid the conflict in West Asia."Thank FM Ararat Mirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar wrote on X
India-Flagged LPG Carrier Safely Crosses Hormuz Amid Gulf Tensions
India-flagged large gas carrier Green Sanvi safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday night, carrying approximately 46,650 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), official sources said. Read more:
Majority of Iranian ballistic missiles combat-ineffective: US-based think tank report
A majority of Iranian ballistic missiles are "combat-ineffective" and cannot accomplish the assigned mission, even if 50 per cent of the launchers remain "intact," US-based think tank Institute of the Study of War's report stated on Saturday.
Iran has used drones and missiles to strike against Israeli infrastructure and US assets in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict in the region.The report cites recent US intelligence assessments to note that 50 per cent of Iranian missile launchers are still "intact," however, a launcher unit becomes combat ineffective, even if it has suffered no damage, when it cannot accomplish its assigned mission.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) continues to conduct flight operations, both day and night
Israel says striking Hezbollah sites in Beirut after destroying bridge
The Israeli military said Saturday it had begun striking "Hezbollah infrastructure" in Beirut after it destroyed a bridge in eastern Lebanon to prevent the Iran-backed group's reinforcements from crossing.
Downed Jets Raise New Perils for Trump as Iran Hunts Missing US Pilot
Two U.S. warplanes were downed over Iran and the Gulf, Iranian and U.S. officials said on Friday, with two pilots rescued and a third still missing and being hunted by Tehran's forces. The incidents show the risks still faced by U.S. and Israeli aircraft over Iran despite assertions from U.S. President Donald Trump and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that their forces had total control of the skies. Read more: