The US Department of State has announced that it will permanently close its consulate in Peshawar, which was America’s closest diplomatic mission to Afghanistan prior to the 2001 invasion. The department notified Congress this week of its intention to close the consulate, stating that the move would save $7.5 million annually without adversely affecting its More
The government of Iran has reportedly deployed several mines in the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to complicate the reopening of the narrow waterway, according to media reports. Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the matter, said the move is likely to complicate the reopening of the strategic passage, a key route for shipping More
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran remains committed to regional peace but emphasised that the conflict can only end if Iran’s “legitimate rights” are recognised. For more than a week, the United States and Israel have conducted joint strikes against Iran, which have been met with a strong response from Tehran. In a post More
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that talks with the United States may no longer be on the agenda following a US‑Israeli military operation against the Islamic Republic. In an interview with PBS on Monday, Araghchi said he did not believe negotiations with the Americans “would be on our agenda anymore.” He referred to More
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Donald Trump, TASS reported. The news agency quoted Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov as saying the hour-long call, initiated by the United States, focused on the conflict involving Iran, the war in Ukraine and the situation in Venezuela. “The Russian president outlined several ideas More
US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran will end “very soon”. However, an Iranian military commander warned that the United States and Israel are not in a position to end the conflict at will. Trump described the war with Iran as a “short-term excursion” and said it would conclude “very soon”, according More
At least 42 people have been killed as a result of heavy flash floods in Kenya, a media report said on Monday. Flash floods, triggered by heavy rains, swept through several regions of the country since Friday, Al Jazeera reported. Kenya’s Public Service and Special Programmes Minister, Geoffrey Ruku, told reporters on Sunday that police More
The US State Department has instructed non-essential personnel and their family members at the US embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to leave the country, media reports said on Monday. The State Department continues to advise Americans to “reconsider travel” to Saudi Arabia, although it has not recommended that all trips to the More
President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the country’s interim leadership council has approved a decision to halt attacks on neighbouring countries unless Iran itself comes under attack from their territory. In a televised message broadcast today (Saturday), the president also apologised to neighbouring countries for the strikes that took place in recent days. He said Iran More
Iran has warned that it will target Israel’s Dimona nuclear reactor if the United States and Israel attempt to change the Iranian government. Earlier this week, the United States and Israel reportedly carried out joint strikes on several Iranian cities. In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks on a number of US military bases in Saudi More
