asif signals possible
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Asif signals possible US-Iran deal amid Hormuz talks

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the United States and Iran may be moving closer to an agreement as diplomatic efforts continue to resolve the conflict and ease restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Asif said recent developments had created renewed hopes for a possible peace arrangement. He said signals over the past two to three days suggested that Washington and Tehran were approaching “some sort of an arrangement.”

His comments came as Qatar said separate discussions between Oman and Iran regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz had reached an advanced stage.

The waterway remains at the centre of the crisis. It is a major route for global energy supplies, with a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through it.

Pakistan and Qatar have been involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Iran and the United States. Pakistan has continued contacts with Iranian officials as part of these mediation efforts.

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran. Details of their discussion were not immediately disclosed, but the meeting came amid renewed diplomatic activity over the conflict.

Iran has previously said it was working with Oman on arrangements for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has maintained that reopening the waterway fully would depend on the United States meeting several conditions.

Those demands include compensation, an easing of sanctions and guarantees against further military action, according to Iranian officials.

Araghchi has said Iran and the US are not holding direct negotiations. Messages are instead being exchanged through intermediaries.

US President Donald Trump has also raised the issue of compensation. He said Washington would seek payments from Iran for damage and casualties allegedly caused over several decades.

Despite the diplomatic activity, tensions remain high in regional waters.

Four crew members were reportedly killed in a suspected attack on a cargo vessel near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The incident was blamed on Houthi forces, although the group had not immediately claimed responsibility.

A separate container ship was also reportedly struck while sailing through the Gulf of Oman near Pakistan. Initial reports indicated that the incident may have involved US military action.

The developments have increased concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region.

Oil prices also remained elevated because of uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Prices eased on Tuesday after reaching a one-week high earlier in the session as investors responded to signs of possible diplomatic progress.

The crisis has placed pressure on Washington and Tehran to find a political solution. Any agreement that reduces tensions and restores normal shipping through Hormuz could have a major impact on global energy markets.

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    ISLAMABAD: Weekly inflation increased by 0.15% during the second week of August 2026, pushing the year-on-year inflation rate to 9.11%, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), which tracks changes in the prices of essential consumer goods, showed a mixed trend during the week. Prices of several food and household items increased, while consumers received some relief from lower prices of petroleum products and selected food commodities. According to the PBS report, prices of 20 out of 51 essential commodities increased during the week under review, while prices of nine items declined. The prices of the remaining 22 commodities remained unchanged. Onion prices surge sharply Among the major price increases, onions recorded the most significant weekly jump, becoming 24.68% more expensive compared with the previous week. The increase is likely to add further pressure on household food budgets, particularly for low-income consumers who are more exposed to fluctuations in basic food prices. The price of gram pulse increased by 3.35%, while chicken became 2.45% more expensive during the week. LPG prices also edged up by 0.67%. Other commodities that recorded weekly price increases included tea, mustard oil, yoghurt and masoor pulse, adding to the overall upward movement in the weekly inflation indicator. Petroleum prices provide some relief The weekly inflation reading was partly offset by declines in the prices of petroleum and several food items. Petrol prices decreased by 2.35% during the week, providing some relief to consumers and transport users. Tomato prices fell by 1.26%, while potatoes became 0.73% cheaper. Diesel prices also declined, though marginally, by 0.29%. Prices of bananas, moong pulse, eggs and sugar also recorded weekly decreases. Despite these reductions, the increase in the prices of several essential food items, particularly onions, pulses and chicken, kept overall weekly inflation in positive territory. Food prices remain major source of annual pressure The year-on-year comparison presents a more pronounced picture of price pressures in several essential commodities. Tomatoes recorded the largest annual increase, with prices rising by 143.77% compared with the same period last year. Onion prices were 125.75% higher, while wheat flour became 77.41% more expensive. LPG prices increased by 55.41% on an annual basis, while diesel recorded a 34.05% increase. Petrol prices were also 23.02% higher than a year earlier. The sharp annual increases in basic food items indicate that consumers continue to face significant pressure in meeting everyday household expenses, even though some commodities have become cheaper compared with last year. Several commodities become cheaper annually The annual data also showed declines in the prices of a number of commodities. Potato prices dropped by 30% compared with a year earlier, marking the largest annual decline among the commodities listed in the report. Sugar prices fell by 17.93%, while chicken became 17.45% cheaper on an annual basis. Gram pulse, eggs and moong pulse also recorded year-on-year declines. The contrasting movements highlight the uneven nature of inflation, with some essential commodities witnessing substantial annual increases while others have recorded notable reductions. The latest PBS figures suggest that although overall inflation remains elevated, price movements continue to vary considerably across different categories. Food, energy and other essential commodities remain key factors influencing household expenditure and the broader cost-of-living situation.

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    Trump backs Infantino as FIFA power struggle intensifies

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    93% admissions at top colleges go to private-schoo…

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