US-Israel War on Iran

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    Yemen launches counter-operation against Houthis a…

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    Yemen’s internationally recognised government forces have launched a military counter-operation against the Houthis following a series of missile and drone attacks on military positions in the provinces of Marib and Hadramout, according to a military spokesman. Yemeni army spokesman Majed al-Nazili said the government forces had begun responding to the attacks and would not tolerate threats against civilians, troops or military positions. “We will give a decisive military response to the threats facing the Yemeni people and armed forces,” al-Nazili said, according to the statement cited by local media. The announcement comes after Houthi forces carried out a series of attacks on government-aligned military camps in Marib and Hadramout. Recent reports said at least 30 Yemeni government soldiers were killed and 15 others wounded in the strikes. The escalation has raised fresh concerns over the fragile security situation in Yemen, where large-scale fighting had significantly declined following the UN-mediated truce that began in April 2022. Although the truce formally expired later that year, the country avoided a full return to nationwide warfare for an extended period. The latest violence is being closely watched because Marib remains strategically important to Yemen’s government, while Hadramout is a major eastern province with significant military and economic importance. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that renewed military escalation could undermine diplomatic efforts and worsen Yemen’s already severe humanitarian crisis. The UN Security Council has stressed the need for restraint and a Yemeni-led political process as the most viable route toward a lasting settlement. The latest developments could therefore mark a dangerous turning point if the government’s promised counter-operation leads to sustained fighting. For millions of Yemenis already affected by years of conflict, renewed hostilities could bring further displacement, economic hardship and pressure on essential services. With both sides now trading threats and military strikes, attention is turning to whether the latest confrontation remains limited—or develops into a broader escalation across Yemen.

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    Pezeshkian rejects pressure as Iran seeks path to de-escalation

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    Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran will not surrender to external pressure or compromise its military and defensive capabilities, while stressing that Iran remains open to diplomacy if it can help protect the country’s interests. In a televised interview marking the second anniversary of his presidency, Pezeshkian said Iran would resist any attempt to force it into submission. He maintained that Tehran had the right to preserve its defence capabilities and would not accept demands aimed at weakening its military strength. The Iranian president described his country’s response during the latest conflict with the United States and Israel as an act of self-defence. He praised Iran’s armed forces, including the Army, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Aerospace Forces, for their performance during the fighting. Pezeshkian also accused Washington and Tel Aviv of attempting to bring Gulf countries together against Iran. He said Tehran was working to prevent further regional divisions and maintained that Muslim countries should cooperate regardless of sectarian differences. He rejected claims that Iran sought territorial expansion or intended to attack neighbouring states. According to Pezeshkian, Iran wanted peaceful relations with countries in the region and had no plans to seize territory or expand its borders. The president also questioned why some regional countries allowed their territories to be used for attacks against Iran. He said Tehran did not seek confrontation with those states but would respond against locations from which it was attacked. Meanwhile, senior US military officials are reportedly pushing for a path toward de-escalation as concerns grow over the effectiveness and sustainability of further military action against Iran. According to a report, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine has privately urged senior Trump administration officials to explore options for ending the conflict. The discussions reportedly involved senior figures including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. US officials are said to believe that continued air operations alone may not be enough to force Tehran to accept Washington’s demands. There are also concerns about Iranian retaliation against US allies and regional energy infrastructure. The report further indicated that shortages of some US weapons, including air-defence interceptors and precision munitions, could make a prolonged conflict increasingly difficult. Despite the concerns, US officials reportedly believe American forces could still inflict significant damage on Iran if President Donald Trump orders further escalation. At the same time, Washington is examining diplomatic options that could allow Trump to present an agreement as a political achievement. A possible agreement between Iran and Oman could provide a major breakthrough in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US official. Washington expects Tehran and Muscat to reach an understanding that would allow commercial shipping and oil traffic to resume through the strategic waterway. The United States has indicated that it could lift its blockade of Iranian ports once commercial shipping is restored and Iran fulfils its commitments. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes, with a significant share of global oil supplies traditionally passing through it. Disruptions caused by the conflict have contributed to higher energy prices and increased inflationary pressure. The latest diplomatic activity follows several previous claims that a deal over the strait was close, although Iranian officials have repeatedly denied that formal negotiations were taking place. Regional tensions have also prompted Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to strengthen military cooperation through a joint defence agreement signed in Makkah. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all three. The countries said the pact was intended to strengthen collective deterrence and protect regional security. Türkiye stressed that the agreement was defensive and was not directed against any particular country. However, the deal comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran and growing concerns about the conflict spreading across the Gulf and wider Middle East. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are continuing on the Lebanon front, where officials are discussing arrangements for monitoring the potential disarmament of Hezbollah under a US-backed framework. Pezeshkian has also defended diplomatic engagement with Washington despite opposition from Iranian hardliners. The Iranian president argued that dialogue could be useful if it allowed Tehran to safeguard its national interests and secure its rights.

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    Pakistan played key role in easing US-Iran tensions: analysis

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    Pakistan played an important mediating role in efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran and helped bring the two sides to the negotiating table, according to an analysis by South Asian Voices, a policy platform focusing on security, political and economic developments in South Asia. The analysis said Pakistan stepped in at a critical stage when tensions between Washington and Tehran had escalated sharply and both sides had suffered significant losses. According to the assessment, Islamabad successfully facilitated communication between the United States and Iran and helped bring a global power and a major regional power into direct negotiations. The report described Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement as significant, arguing that Islamabad managed to perform a role that several major powers, including China, France, Germany, India and the United Kingdom, had been unable to achieve. The analysis further noted that talks between American and Iranian representatives in Islamabad continued for more than 20 hours. It described the discussions as the highest-level direct contact between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Although Washington and Tehran subsequently accused each other of violating the terms of a ceasefire, the two sides did not completely abandon the diplomatic process, according to the analysis. The report therefore argued that it would be inaccurate to hold the mediator responsible for the failure of the process, stressing that Pakistan’s role should instead be viewed in the context of its efforts to keep communication channels open between the two sides. The assessment highlights Islamabad’s growing diplomatic role in attempts to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran and underscores Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate dialogue during a period of heightened regional instability.

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    Tehran and Muscat near maritime route agreement

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    Diplomatic attempts to restore stability to one of the world’s most vital energy corridors have reached a critical juncture. Iranian officials confirmed on Saturday. Tehran and Muscat are on the verge of finalizing a bilateral accord to establish a temporary shipping traffic scheme through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian leadership made clear that signing the bilateral agreement with Oman will not lead to an immediate unblocking of the maritime bottleneck. Speaking on the technical negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that talks regarding a revised passage framework with Oman are very close to completion. Total resumption of commercial transit remains contingent on broader geopolitical demands. Chief among Tehran’s requirements is financial restitution from Washington for damage incurred during the five-month regional military escalation that began in late February. An explicit end to American naval blockades targeting Iranian harbors. The current conflict trace back to late February 2026. The time following joint strikes by American and Israeli forces against Iranian targets. Subsequent hostilities severely disrupted commercial navigation which historically accommodates twenty percent of global petroleum and natural gas shipments. In Washington, senior administration officials signaled cautious optimism over the ongoing discussions between the neighboring Gulf nations. A U.S. official indicated that the White House anticipates a formal pact between Iran and Oman shortly, noting that once a verifiably secure mechanism for unhindered merchant shipping is announced, the United States stands ready to lift its naval blockade against Iranian ports. Despite the encouraging diplomatic signals regarding traffic management, military rhetoric and actions on the water demonstrate that significant friction remains. Statements released by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) emphasized that political prerequisites set for the United States operate independently of the maritime route negotiations with Oman. According to IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi, the physical opening of the shipping lanes to international traffic will only occur after Washington agrees to Iran’s broader security conditions and ceases interference in regional affairs. Compounding the volatility, maritime safety concerns flared anew on Saturday when the United Arab Emirates reported that a missile strike had hit a commercial tanker linked to its national oil company while navigating the strait. Although no casualties were reported onboard, the incident highlights the fragile security landscape even as diplomats work to establish temporary transit corridors.   The proposed bilateral framework aims to replace the prior international traffic separation system with a updated protocol, temporarily managing maritime movement while complex legal and technical standards are finalized. Yet, as Tehran leverages its geographic posture over the waterway to press for broader economic and security guarantees, international observers remain attentive to whether technical shipping agreements can effectively de-escalate the wider confrontation.

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    Trump furious over US weapons shortages as Iran te…

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    WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has grown increasingly angry over reports that the country’s stockpile of key munitions has been significantly depleted during the conflict with Iran, fearing the disclosures could undermine Washington’s leverage as he pushes Tehran toward a deal. Senior US officials told CNN that the issue became a major point of discussion during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David last week. Trump was reportedly frustrated not only by the shortages but by the publication of details about US weapons inventories at a sensitive moment in the conflict. Several officials said Trump had known for months that certain munitions were in limited supply and was not surprised by the underlying situation. His concern, they said, was that public reporting could weaken the image of US military strength while he threatens further action against Iran. Trump sought to push back publicly, saying the United States has “massive amounts” of munitions and that weapons production is expanding. He also threatened severe punishment for officials responsible for leaking classified or sensitive information. However, Trump acknowledged in remarks at the White House that some advanced weapons are in tighter supply, while insisting there is a virtually unlimited supply of less sophisticated weaponry. White House officials said Trump has not blamed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for the situation and continues to express confidence in his leadership. Instead, the president has directed the Justice Department to investigate what he described as “treasonous” leaks from within his administration. The concerns have intensified after reports indicated that US forces have used a large share of their air-defence interceptors since the conflict began. CNN reported that the military had consumed nearly four-fifths of its pre-war THAAD missile inventory and about half of its Patriot interceptors. The reported shortages have also alarmed US partners in the Gulf, many of whom rely heavily on American air-defence systems. Regional officials have warned that reduced US stocks could make it harder to defend against potential Iranian missile and drone attacks if Washington launches further strikes. Iran has reportedly warned Gulf countries that renewed US attacks could trigger retaliation against energy infrastructure and desalination facilities across the region. Trump has spoken with leaders in Qatar and Saudi Arabia as his administration weighs its next steps. Senior military advisers have repeatedly raised concerns about dwindling stocks during discussions over potential escalation. The issue predates the current crisis. US military leaders had warned before the war that a prolonged campaign could strain American weapons supplies, particularly after years of support for Israel and Ukraine. Trump has blamed the previous administration for contributing to depleted stockpiles through weapons deliveries to Ukraine, while also acknowledging that the United States needs greater reserves. The administration has moved to expand production, including invoking the Defense Production Act and meeting with major defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin. However, officials acknowledge that expanding weapons manufacturing capacity could take years, meaning increased production may not immediately solve the shortage.

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    Trump claims Iran war could end soon, Hormuz to re…

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    WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed that the war with Iran could come to an end soon, while negotiations are reportedly continuing over the future of the conflict and the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the United States, Iran and Oman were close to reaching a temporary agreement aimed at reopening the key maritime passage. His remarks offered a potentially hopeful signal after weeks of heightened tensions and disruption in the region. The US president also dismissed reports that the conflict had significantly depleted American weapons stocks, insisting there was no truth to such claims. Trump further rejected reports of disagreements or growing tensions with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, playing down speculation about friction within his administration over the handling of the war. However, the picture on the diplomatic front remains uncertain. Arab media reports have claimed that efforts to broker a ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran have stalled, highlighting the difficulties surrounding a possible breakthrough. At the same time, Iranian authorities have reportedly tightened internal security measures across the country, particularly in Tehran, as uncertainty over the conflict continues. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis because of its importance to global energy supplies and international shipping. Any agreement that restores normal traffic through the waterway could ease pressure on regional markets and provide a significant boost to wider diplomatic efforts. For now, Trump’s prediction of a quick end to the war contrasts with reports suggesting that major obstacles still remain before a lasting ceasefire can be secured.

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    ‘No more theatre’: Ghalibaf challenges Trump over talks

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    TEHRAN: Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has delivered a blunt message to US President Donald Trump, calling for facts, commitments and serious diplomacy instead of what he described as political theatre. Reacting to Trump’s remarks suggesting that a major attack could be imminent, Ghalibaf said Iran was still prepared to negotiate, but expected the United States to demonstrate seriousness at the negotiating table. “Accept the facts and fulfil your promises,” Ghalibaf said, stressing that there was no need for further diplomatic drama and that responsible conduct was required. His comments come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, with negotiations remaining a key focus even as both sides continue to exchange strong warnings. Ghalibaf has emerged as a central figure in Iran’s diplomatic efforts and has been involved in negotiations with the United States. He was also re-elected as speaker of Iran’s parliament in May, securing 235 votes from 271 lawmakers who cast ballots. Ghalibaf accused Washington of repeatedly using pressure tactics, including threats, broken promises and what he characterized as false reports. According to him, such an approach has failed to achieve its intended purpose. The Iranian official’s message combines a firm warning with an opening for dialogue: Tehran, he suggested, is willing to talk, but not under pressure. The latest remarks could add another layer of uncertainty to already fragile US-Iran diplomacy, particularly as both sides weigh whether negotiations can prevent another escalation.

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    Qalibaf accuses Trump of using “Theater Diplomacy” on Iran

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      Iranian Parliament Speaker and the country’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of engaging in what he described as “theater diplomacy,” saying Washington continues to send mixed signals by alternating between military threats and calls for negotiations. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Qalibaf criticized Trump’s recent rhetoric, saying the U.S. administration repeatedly announces the possibility of major military action before stepping back and expressing interest in diplomatic talks. “First they say a major attack is coming, then they say they want negotiations. This cycle of theater diplomacy continues,” Qalibaf wrote. He argued that Washington keeps shifting its position between military pressure and diplomatic engagement, creating uncertainty rather than building trust. According to Qalibaf, the repeated use of threats, broken promises, and what he called “false narratives” has failed to pressure Iran into changing its stance. “The strategy of intimidation has not worked,” he said. “It is time to accept the realities, honor commitments, and replace political theater with serious and responsible diplomacy.” Qalibaf’s remarks came after President Trump claimed that he had canceled plans for a large-scale military strike against Iran. Trump said Iran and several countries in the region had urged the United States to avoid military action, adding that diplomatic progress was within reach. The U.S. president also claimed that ongoing negotiations could lead to a temporary agreement involving the United States, Iran, and Oman. He said such a deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz without delay and eliminate what he described as the Iranian nuclear threat. The exchange highlights the sharp differences between Tehran and Washington as both sides continue to send conflicting messages about diplomacy and the possibility of easing tensions in the region. While U.S. officials speak of negotiations and a potential agreement, Iranian leaders remain skeptical, arguing that meaningful progress will require the United States to move beyond threats and fulfill its commitments.

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    Pakistan, allies condemn Israeli actions in Gaza

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    Pakistan and seven Muslim-majority countries have jointly condemned Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip, describing attacks on civilians, healthcare facilities and essential infrastructure as serious violations of international law. In a joint statement released on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates expressed strong concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. They said continued attacks on hospitals, medical personnel and civilian infrastructure, along with the mounting civilian death toll, particularly among women and children, represent grave breaches of international humanitarian law. The ministers warned that the ongoing violence undermines efforts to implement the next phase of the proposed peace roadmap and risks worsening instability across the region. They stressed that the protection of civilians, medical workers and humanitarian operations must remain a priority under international law, calling for unrestricted delivery of food, medicine and emergency aid throughout Gaza. The joint declaration also linked the situation in Gaza with developments in the occupied West Bank, citing settlement expansion, attacks by settlers and measures affecting East Jerusalem. According to the ministers, these actions weaken the prospects for a two-state solution and further erode the rights of the Palestinian people. The eight countries urged the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to take effective steps to ensure compliance with international law and hold those responsible for violations accountable. They said greater international action is needed to protect civilians, support humanitarian efforts and help secure a lasting ceasefire. The ministers also rejected any attempt to annex occupied Palestinian territories, impose Israeli sovereignty over them or forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland. They reiterated that lasting peace can only be achieved through a credible political process leading to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement comes as violence continues in Gaza despite ceasefire efforts. Recent airstrikes have caused further casualties, while negotiations over a US-backed roadmap remain stalled.

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    HRW says Israeli strike that killed journalist was war crime

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    Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of carrying out a deliberate airstrike that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, saying the attack may amount to a war crime under international law. In a report released on Wednesday, the international rights organisation said the strike targeted Amal Khalil and her camerawoman, Zainab Faraj, while they were covering Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon earlier this year. Amal Khalil, a reporter for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on April 22 in the town of Al-Tayri. Her colleague, camerawoman Zainab Faraj, was seriously injured in the same attack. According to HRW, the available evidence suggests the Israeli military knew journalists were inside the building before launching the strike. The organisation said information gathered during its investigation indicates the attack was intentional and violated international humanitarian law. The report also referred to requests made by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the International Committee of the Red Cross for access to the area. HRW said these requests support evidence that authorities were aware of the presence of journalists at the location. Human Rights Watch further stated that Amal Khalil remained alive for some time after the strike. However, it alleged that Israeli forces prevented rescue workers from reaching the site, delaying emergency medical assistance that could have improved her chances of survival. The organisation said deliberately targeting journalists performing their professional duties and blocking humanitarian access are serious violations of international law. It added that such actions could constitute war crimes and should be investigated independently. HRW called for a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident and urged those responsible to be held accountable. It also stressed that journalists covering armed conflicts are civilians protected under international humanitarian law and must not be targeted during military operations.