International News
Pakistan a US ally, at White House convenience
New Delhi, Sep 26: Pakistan has historically been considered an ally of the United States – during and after the Cold War – with Islamabad ready to execute at White House bidding, either for a prize or a dressing down.
Geographically, Pakistan occupies a strategic position and diplomatically shares ties with China on the one hand, and the Arab countries on the other. With most governments in Islamabad being financially and morally bankrupt and powerless against their military, the rulers have been ductile and malleable to be coerced into most deals.
Knowing that proximity to China, India, and Afghanistan makes it a key player in South Asian geopolitics, the US is also aware that with growing ties with Saudi Arabia, including the recent mutual defence pact, it can be a reason for its neighbours and partners being wary.
Washington continues to view Pakistan as a strategic partner in regional security, particularly in counterterrorism efforts. Its role in conducting covert operations from Pakistani soil against the then Soviet occupiers in Afghanistan is no secret anymore. All these, and more, which US President Donald Trump considers to be of use to his idea of ‘Make America Great Again’, draw interest to the country. Thus, a new trade agreement was signed, including a 19 per cent tariff on Pakistani imports and US involvement in developing Pakistan’s oil reserves.
Islamabad is looking at further US investments, especially in its mineral sector, which could provide a much-needed economic boost, provide jobs and infrastructure development for the beleaguered nation. Pakistan is thus trying to ignite US interest in the challenging geopolitical areas where even its military has been unable to put down the rebellion.
The US State Department has designated “The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, The Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), and added the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA’s previous Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation” in a statement on August 11.
The restive westernmost province of Balochistan holds a wide reserve of gold, silver, copper, iron, chromite, and lithium across 1,600 mines. The northern regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are said to be sitting on lithium reserves, while the Thar coalfield in Sindh, with 175 billion tons of lignite, further underscores the overall mineral reserve potential.
The US is interested in Pakistan’s rare earth minerals, crypto mining potential, and broader investment opportunities. But revolt by tribes in these areas and without a clear governance policy, the reserves remain mostly untapped. Islamabad anticipates taming the fierce uprising with US help. Thus, apart from interests in geopolitical developments, Pakistan General Asim Munir’s frequent invitations to the White House remain a matter of speculation.
Munir, who had previously been hosted for lunch by Trump a few weeks earlier, accompanied Shehbaz Sharif on the Pakistan Prime Minister’s first official visit to the White House on Friday. While the General’s presence reflected Rawalpindi’s influence over the political masters in Islamabad, there is an assumption that a solution for mining in troubled areas may have also been put on the table.
Meanwhile, reports from Washington hinted at President Trump making his guests wait about 30 minutes before hosting them for talks. That made sure that even a high-level delegation from Pakistan realised that they can not assume themselves too important.
International News
Israel says Iran’s intelligence chief killed in Tehran air strike

Tel Aviv, April 6: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday claimed to have killed Majid Khatem-Hosseini Khadami, Chairman of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ (IRGC) intelligence organisation, in an air strike in Tehran on Sunday night.
“Eliminated: Majid Khademi, the Head of Intelligence of the IRGC. Khadami was one of the most important commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and had accumulated military and security experience over the years,” read a statement issued by the IDF.
It mentioned that the Israeli Air Force, under precise intelligence guidance from the Intelligence Directorate, attacked during the night in Tehran and killed Khadami.
According to the IDF, Khadmi was appointed to his position after the assassination of Muhammad Khatami in Operation ‘Am Kalavi’. As part of his role, he worked to gather intelligence to form an intelligence picture for the regime’s senior echelons during Operation ‘Roar of the Harrier’.
“Khademi worked to advance terrorist attacks worldwide, and was responsible for monitoring Iranian civilians as part of the regime’s suppression of internal protests. He was a key figure in the campaign, the intelligence he collected was used to promote and execute terrorist operations,” the IDF stated.
“Alongside this, Khadami worked to promote terrorist acts against the State of Israel and against Jews around the world and took part in attempts to harm American targets, and was even responsible for monitoring Iranian citizens as part of the suppression of internal protests in Iran,” it added.
The Israeli defence ministry mentioned that Khadami’s “elimination” constitutes another serious blow to the command and control systems of the Revolutionary Guards, and to its ability to “conduct terrorist activity” against the State of Israel and countries around the world.
On Sunday, the IDF announced that it had killed Mohammad Reza Ashrafi Kahi, the Head of Commerce at the IRGC’s Oil Headquarters in Tehran.
“Ashrafi managed the commercial operations of the Oil Headquarters, estimated at billions of dollars annually, and advanced the development of the IRGC’s military capabilities, as well as those of the Houthis, Hezbollah & Hamas,” the IDF posted on X.
International News
West Asia conflict Trump’s ‘personal war’, says Iran Supreme Leader’s representative

Patna, April 6: Abdulmajid Hakim Elahi, Representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader to India, has said that the Strait of Hormuz has historically remained under Iranian control for thousands of years and that disruptions began only after the recent conflict involving the United States and Israel, which he described as a personal war driven by President Donald Trump against Iran.
The US and Israel carried out joint strikes on February 28, resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israel, as well as US bases in neighbouring Gulf countries, leading to a broader regional escalation that has led to the Strait of Hormuz crisis and disrupted significant oil and energy supplies.
Speaking to media, Abdulmajid Hakim Elahi said, “This war is President Trump against Iran. Everyone knows that, because this war is not in the interest of Americans. This was his personal war, and now Americans are handling it. And they want out, but they don’t know how they can get out of it.”
On the question of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, he emphasised Iran’s longstanding control over the strategic waterway and blamed the ongoing crisis on the conflict.
“The Strait of Hormuz has been there for thousands of years; it’s under control and dominated by Iran. Iran will continue to do the same now. There wasn’t any crisis or problem before this war. But now they (the US and Israel) have created this war, and they have created a lot of crises and problems through the Strait of Hormuz. We hope that it will finish very soon,” he said.
Elahi also underlined the historical ties between Iran and India, describing the relationship as deeply rooted and longstanding.
“We have a very tight relationship and friendship with India, which dates back over 5000 years,” he said.
Recalling the global response following Khamenei’s death, he said the Iranian leader was respected across communities and faiths.
“Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was a spiritual leader not only for Muslims but also a religious figure and a voice for the voiceless. He is not just for Shia people but also those from other communities, including many Hindus and Christians, who also respected and admired him. When the news of his martyrdom spread, everyone came out in respect and paid their respects and shed their tears, mourning his death,” he added.
International News
Iran’s FM discusses ongoing war with Indian, Russian counterparts over phone

Tehran, April 6: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi exchanged views with his Russian and Indian counterparts on the ongoing regional conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
In two separate phone calls, Araghchi, on Sunday, discussed the latest developments in the West Asia region as well as the security and economic consequences of the US and Israeli “aggression” with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, according to statements released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Araghchi elaborated on the “crimes” committed by the United States and Israel against Iran’s people over the past 37 days, including their attacks on Iranian industrial and production infrastructure, hospitals, schools, residential areas as well as nuclear centers and facilities, Xinhua news agency reported.
He urged all influential parties at the UN Security Council to adopt responsible approaches that are based on international law.
He highlighted the firm determination of Iranian people and armed forces to powerfully defend Iran’s national interests and security, warning about the consequences of the US and Israeli “aggression” for the stability and security in the region and the world.
Lavrov, for his part, stressed the need for stopping the “illegal” attacks against civilian targets, especially the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran, calling for grasping every opportunity to prevent the expansion of the conflict’s scopes.
The Indian foreign minister highlighted the importance of efforts to restore stability and security to the region, expressing his country’s support for the ongoing efforts at the regional and international levels to stop the war.
The phone calls came amid heightened regional tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across the Middle East.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News1 year agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra1 year agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime1 year agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
