Houthis claim strike on Saudi oil tanker

  A Muslim student from India’s Bihar state has claimed that he was named in a police case related to protests against the alleged NEET examination paper leak, despite having lived in Russia for the past four months. The student, identified as Mohammad Sadaqat, belongs to Kishanganj district in Bihar. He alleged that his name was included in a First Information Report (FIR) registered after demonstrations held on July 24 against the alleged NEET paper leak, even though he was not in India at the time of the protest. In a video message shared on social media, Sadaqat said he has been residing in Russia for the last four months for educational purposes and therefore could not have participated in the protest. According to him, the case relates to a demonstration that took place at LRP Chowk, where people gathered to protest against the alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET examination. The student maintained that he was shocked to learn that his name had been included among those accused in the case. He said his passport and travel records clearly show that he was outside India when the protest occurred. He urged the authorities to verify the facts and remove his name from the police case, arguing that it was impossible for him to have taken part in the demonstration while living abroad. Sadaqat appealed to the district administration and police officials to conduct a fair investigation and correct what he described as an error. He emphasized that he was not present in India during the protest and requested that the allegations against him be withdrawn after proper verification. Meanwhile, Kishanganj Superintendent of Police Hari Mohan Shukla neither confirmed nor denied whether the student had been named in the FIR. Responding to questions from the media, the police chief said that anyone who has concerns regarding the protest-related cases is welcome to approach the police. He stated that authorities would examine any complaint submitted by an affected individual and review the available evidence before taking an appropriate decision. However, he did not specifically address Sadaqat’s claim or comment on the contents of the FIR. The Bihar Police’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) initially responded to the student’s viral video by assuring the public that the matter would be investigated. The response suggested that the allegations raised in the video would be looked into by the relevant authorities. However, the police later deleted the post without providing any explanation, prompting further discussion on social media. The deletion has raised questions among users, although officials have not commented on why the statement was removed. The controversy comes amid widespread protests in Bihar over the alleged NEET paper leak, an issue that has sparked public outrage and demands for accountability. During a statewide strike organized in connection with the controversy, police reportedly detained 694 people for allegedly participating in protests and violating public order. According to reports, nearly half of those detained were minors. The incident involving Mohammad Sadaqat has drawn significant attention online, with many social media users calling for a transparent investigation into his claims. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the case, and the matter remains under official review.

  US President Donald Trump has said American forces are likely to remain in control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise and efforts to revive a temporary peace agreement show little progress. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump claimed that the United States has “total control” over the waterway and suggested that Washington intends to maintain its presence there. He described the ongoing naval blockade as a “wall of steel” and said Iran had no effective means of challenging it. Trump also claimed that Iran’s military strength had been severely weakened, alleging that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been “decimated.” He further described Iran’s economy as collapsing, pointing to high inflation and accusing Tehran of relying on rhetoric rather than meaningful action. However, an Iranian source said there had been no progress in efforts to restore an interim agreement reached in June. The agreement had called for an immediate halt to military operations and provided a 60-day period, which could be extended by mutual agreement, for both sides to negotiate a longer-term settlement. The arrangement quickly deteriorated. Trump later declared the agreement over, while Iran described it as suspended. Tehran has accused Washington of failing to meet its commitments, including lifting restrictions on Iranian ports and releasing frozen Iranian financial assets. The United States, meanwhile, has accused Iran of failing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian source said mediators were discussing the possibility of Washington returning to the interim agreement and establishing a timetable for fulfilling its commitments, but no progress had been made. Tensions have increased further following fresh attacks on shipping in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy routes and previously carried around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Concerns over disruptions have contributed to a sharp rise in oil prices since the conflict began. Shipping traffic through the strait also dropped significantly. Data showed that only eight vessels were tracked passing through the waterway on Tuesday, the lowest daily figure in about a week. Ship operators have increasingly avoided the route because of security concerns. Additional attacks were reported at other major maritime chokepoints. In the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, four crew members were reportedly killed when an Iran-backed Houthi attack targeted a small cargo vessel. Two Yemeni rescuers were also reported killed. The US military separately said an American Navy helicopter fired two missiles to disable the steering system of a Panama-flagged cargo ship. US Central Command said the vessel had ignored repeated warnings and violated the naval blockade of Iranian ports. Maritime sources said the ship was struck near Pakistan while travelling toward the Gulf of Oman. The latest attacks have increased concerns about global energy supplies. Brent crude prices continued to rise, while investors reacted to growing uncertainty over the possibility of a quick end to the conflict. Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless Washington accepts its conditions for ending the war. At the same time, Trump has continued to alternate between threatening further escalation and suggesting that a peace agreement could be reached soon. With military tensions, attacks on commercial shipping and diplomatic disagreements continuing, prospects for a swift resolution appear increasingly uncertain.

  Efforts to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade routes, are gaining momentum as diplomatic contacts between the United States and Iran continue to show encouraging progress. According to reports preparations are underway to restore unrestricted commercial navigation through the vital waterway, with an official announcement expected within the next few hours or by Wednesday. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical shipping corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to international waters, carrying a significant share of the world’s crude oil, liquefied natural gas, refined petroleum products, and other essential commodities. Any disruption in traffic through the strait has immediate consequences for global energy markets and international trade. Arab television channels have claimed that discussions aimed at fully reopening the waterway have advanced considerably. The reports suggest that diplomatic negotiations have entered their final stages and that an agreement could soon be announced, allowing commercial vessels to resume normal operations after a period of uncertainty. Earlier, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also expressed optimism regarding the ongoing negotiations. Speaking to media in Washington , he said there was a strong possibility that an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached by Tuesday or Wednesday.Talks between Washington and Tehran are focused on ensuring the uninterrupted movement of commercial ships through the strategic passage while restoring stability to the region. During the interview, the Treasury Secretary noted that negotiations are continuing with the aim of normalizing the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz and guaranteeing safe passage for international shipping. He emphasized that both sides are engaged in discussions designed to reduce tensions and facilitate the free flow of maritime commerce. When asked whether Iran would be permitted to collect toll fees from vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Bessent dismissed the possibility. He clarified that the proposed arrangement is based on the principle of complete freedom of navigation for all commercial vessels. According to him, the agreement is intended to ensure that ships from every nation can transit the waterway without facing additional charges or restrictions. If finalized, the agreement is expected to have far-reaching economic benefits. In addition to restoring the uninterrupted export of crude oil from Gulf producers, it would also enable the smooth transportation of fertilizers, refined petroleum products, industrial gases, and numerous other essential commodities. Industry experts believe that the reopening of the strait would significantly improve global supply chains that have been disrupted by regional tensions. Another major benefit of the proposed agreement would be the release of hundreds of commercial vessels currently delayed or stranded in the Persian Gulf due to security concerns. Allowing these ships to resume their voyages would ease congestion, reduce shipping costs, and improve delivery schedules for international trade. Economists suggest that a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could also help stabilize global energy markets. Increased supplies of crude oil and petroleum products would likely ease concerns over shortages, potentially leading to lower international oil prices. Reduced transportation costs could further contribute to price relief across several sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer goods. While optimism surrounding the negotiations has grown, officials have yet to announce a formal agreement. Diplomatic efforts remain ongoing, and both governments are expected to continue discussions until a final framework is approved. Observers around the world are closely monitoring developments, as the outcome of these talks could have a significant impact on global trade, energy security, and regional stability. If the anticipated agreement is reached, it would mark an important diplomatic breakthrough, restoring confidence in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors and helping normalize commercial activity throughout the Gulf region.