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			<title>Iran says Strait of Hormuz to remain closed until US ‘corrects its behaviour’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622909/iranian-commander-says-us-israel-failed-to-achieve-goals-against-iran-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622909/iranian-commander-says-us-israel-failed-to-achieve-goals-against-iran-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 26 05:37:02 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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				<![CDATA[Iranian commander says US, Israel failed to achieve goals against Iran: report]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States &ldquo;corrects its behaviour&rdquo;, Iran&rsquo;s state broadcaster IRIB reported, quoting Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran&rsquo;s Supreme National Security Council, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.



The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US &ldquo;corrects its behaviour&rdquo;, Iran&rsquo;s state broadcaster IRIB reports, quoting Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran&rsquo;s Supreme National Security Council.

🔗: https://t.co/eewYgeG2XK pic.twitter.com/vGSFUJu61Z
&mdash; Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 9, 2026



Iran says Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its conditions are met

Iran&rsquo;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until its conditions are accepted, as it accused the enemy of shifting its war objectives towards reopening the strategic waterway, PressTV reported.

According to the post on X, IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Mohebbi said the enemy had abandoned all its previous war objectives and was now focusing its efforts on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

&ldquo;The enemy, abandoning all its previous war objectives, has now put all its efforts into opening the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war,&rdquo; Mohebbi said.

&ldquo;We will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the enemy accepts all our conditions,&rdquo; he added.

&ldquo;We will continue the resistance until the enemy is defeated,&rdquo; Mohebbi said.



IRGC Spokesman Brigadier General Mohebbi says the enemy, abandoning all its previous war objectives, has now put all its efforts into opening the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war.

Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym https://t.co/8TPBXDvpWS pic.twitter.com/NzXjEfW1ZC
&mdash; Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) August 9, 2026



Iranian commander says US, Israel failed to achieve goals against Iran: report

Brig Gen Hassan Zadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps&#39; Mohammad Rasulullah Corps in Tehran, said the US and Israel had &quot;completely failed&quot; to achieve their objectives against the Islamic Republic, according to the Tasnim News Agency on Sunday.

The news outlet reported that Zadeh said Iran&#39;s &quot;popular strength and comprehensive readiness of the Basij&quot; had made the country one of the major powers in the region and the world, during a visit to upgraded air defense battalions of the 27th Mohammad Rasulullah Division to assess their readiness.

He also claimed that US and Israeli leaders now had no answers before public opinion, their elites or their own people for their repeated failures.

&quot;Today, only part of the immense capabilities and readiness of the 27th Mohammad Rasulullah Division has been demonstrated in this field,&quot; he added.

Saudi authorities extinguish Jizan Aramco fire, Houthis claim responsibility

Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that firefighting teams extinguished a fire that broke out at a Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) facility in Jizan, with the Yemeni Houthis claiming responsibility for attacking the site.

On the X, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said they attacked with a drone, claiming that it was in response to alleged Saudi drone attacks on Yemen&rsquo;s Saada and Hajjah provinces.



🔴 Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Yahya Saree:

🔺 We successfully targeted an Aramco refinery in Jizan with a drone, scoring a direct hit.

🔺 The operation was carried out in response to Saudi enemy drones&rsquo; incursions into the airspace over the provinces of Saada and Hajjah. pic.twitter.com/69VpIvFh60
&mdash; Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) August 9, 2026



Saudi officials did not respond to the group&#39;s latest statement, but the Saudi Energy Ministry said the incident did not result in any casualties.

Iraqi armed group vows revenge for US-Saudi strikes

The leader of Iraq&rsquo;s Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba has promised retaliation for joint Saudi-US strikes last month that hit sites of the country&rsquo;s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), of which it is a member, Al Jazeera reported.

In a statement, Akram al-Kaabi said diplomacy with Saudi Arabia is &ldquo;futile&rdquo;, and that it must be disciplined &ldquo;through a suitable military response&rdquo; to avenge the strikes on the PMF.

&ldquo;Missiles can only be countered with missiles, and fire can only be met with fire,&rdquo; he said.

Saudi Arabia and the US Central Command said last month that the joint air strikes targeted militias in Iraq responsible for attacks on American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure.

The PMF, a paramilitary force, said at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 wounded in the strikes.

Pentagon urges defence industry to accelerate weapons production amid Iran war

The Trump administration has asked the US defence industry to rapidly escalate the production and delivery of weapons, including munitions that are in extremely short supply due to the war with Iran, The Washington Post has reported, quoting a Defence Department memo, Al Jazeera reported.

Deputy Defence Secretary Steve Feinberg wrote to industry leaders last Wednesday, noting that they have to submit plans to &ldquo;drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities&rdquo; within 21 days.

&ldquo;Years-long development cycles are not acceptable,&rdquo; Feinberg wrote. &ldquo;We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now.&rdquo;

There have been multiple reports of the US running short on munitions stockpiles and, more critically, of anti-missile Patriot interceptors.

Trump earlier said that the army has &ldquo;massive amounts&rdquo; of munitions, posting on Truth Social that &ldquo;large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed&rdquo;.

Explosion heard in Saudi Arabia&#39;s Jubail as fires reported at energy facilities: sources

A loud explosion was heard in Saudi Arabia&#39;s Jubail region, while Arab sources reported that gas facilities in Jubail Industrial City were targeted and a fire broke out at the site.

Some Arab regional sources reported hearing a loud and powerful explosion in the Jubail area. The cause of the blast is unclear.

Separately, Arab sources reported that gas facilities in Jubail Industrial City had been targeted, resulting in a fire at the site. The reports did not provide details on the nature of the incident or possible casualties.



🚨 Loud explosion reportedly heard in Saudi Arabia&#39;s Jubail region as reports say gas facilities in Jubail Industrial City were targeted, sparking a fire

🛰️ NASA FIRMS satellite imagery shows multiple thermal anomalies, including a high-intensity detection, in the reported area&hellip; pic.twitter.com/n4WEfnA0Mj
&mdash; Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) August 9, 2026


In a separate development, Saudi Arabia&#39;s Energy Ministry confirmed that a fire broke out at one of the facilities belonging to the Aramco refinery in Jizan.

The ministry did not provide a cause for the fire but said the incident resulted in no fatalities. Regional sources reported earlier that SaudiAramco&#39;s facilities in Jizan had been targeted.

It was not clear whether the incident in Jizan was connected to the reported explosion and fire in Jubail.

Iran says deal on Strait of Hormuz is close but not enough to open the waterway

Iran said on Saturday that a deal with Oman on control of the Strait of Hormuz was close but would not be enough ​to free up the waterway, and the United Arab Emirates said Iran had hit another ship there.

An agreement between Iran and Oman over the strait, which separates the two countries, is &zwnj;seen as vital to a wider deal to end the war, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 and led to Tehran establishing a chokehold over the major energy export route.

A US official, who declined to be identified, said on Friday that Washington anticipated an agreement soon between Iran and Oman, so normal oil traffic could resume.

Read: US-Iran war is ending, Pakistan won

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran and Oman were &quot;very close&quot; to an agreement on a new shipping route through the strait, but reopening it would depend on ​other conditions, including US compensation to Iran.

The secretary of Iran&#39;s top national security body, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, listed other demands including ending US threats against Iran, stopping aggression against Iran and its Lebanese, ​Palestinian, Yemeni and Iraqi allies, lifting a blockade and sanctions on Iran and freeing Iranian assets.

Oman reports positive negotiations, condemns ship attacks 

Oman condemned what it described as repeated ⁠attacks on vessels while transiting the strait, without assigning blame, and said that negotiations with Iran on arrangements for shipping through Hormuz were &quot;positive and constructive&quot;.

&quot;Oman stresses the importance of avoiding any actions that could affect these ​negotiations and the progress achieved in a manner that takes into account the interests of all parties,&quot; the foreign ministry said.

Araqchi said the previous shipping traffic separation scheme through the strait was no longer acceptable to Tehran ​and Iran was discussing a temporary route with Oman while technical and legal issues surrounding a permanent route were resolved.

Iran&#39;s President Masoud Pezeshkian, a relative moderate, said he believed now was the best time for an agreement.

&quot;There is cohesion, strength, and unity in the country, and as far as I know, Iran is considered victorious and powerful in this war,&quot; Iranian news agencies quoted him as saying.

Iran has reacted to the US attacks by targeting US bases in Gulf states and Jordan as well ​as striking shipping in the narrow strait, which carried a fifth of the world&#39;s oil and gas shipments before the war.

The UAE said on Saturday that Iran had attacked a carrier affiliated with the UAE&#39;s state ​oil company with a missile as it transited the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported in the latest attacks on shipping there.

Read more: Trump&#39;s Iran dilemma: He&#39;s stuck in war with no exit in sight

The UK maritime trade monitor UKMTO said a vessel had caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile &zwnj;but the fire ⁠was put out and there was no reported environmental impact.

There was no immediate comment from Iranian authorities.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly signaled that a deal to open the strait could be close, only to have Iran deny that talks are under way. It was unclear whether the latest flurry of negotiations would yield a more lasting arrangement.

&quot;Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports,&quot; the US official told Reuters on Friday. U.S. actions would be tied to Iran&#39;s implementation of its commitments, he said.

US Central Command said on Saturday it had allowed more than 30 ships ​through for humanitarian aid since the current blockade started. ​US forces have turned away 53 ships, disabled ⁠two vessels and boarded two others, Central Command said in a statement on social media.

Prices of food and other necessities have increased rapidly in Iran since the conflict began in February. At a news conference on Saturday, Pezeshkian blamed the US for causing difficulties in importing basic goods.

He did not mention any blockade exceptions for ​humanitarian aid.

Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guards, who have targeted the ships, also said on Saturday that reopening the strait depended on Washington accepting Iran&#39;s conditions and was not ​related to the Iran-Oman negotiations.

&quot;Whenever the ⁠United States accepts Iran&rsquo;s conditions, the Strait of Hormuz will certainly be reopened,&quot; said Guards spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi, according to Iran&#39;s Tasnim news agency.

Sources said this week a deal would give Iran some control 

A proposed deal between Iran and Oman to help end five months of war between Iran and the US would give Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf through the strait, a senior Iranian source and two regional officials told Reuters on Wednesday, one of the ⁠biggest concessions yet ​to Iran.

US officials have repeatedly said they would never agree to Iran controlling access to the world&#39;s most important trade route ​for energy supplies. It was not clear whether they had sought to change the parameters of the deal.

Also read: Iran&#39;s top negotiator slams US&rsquo;s &#39;theatre diplomacy on loop&#39;

Iran has used the hostilities to justify charging a toll on oil tankers. That, and the firing on ships that attempt to cross the strait without its permission, has ​badly disrupted global shipments, causing energy prices to surge and fueling inflation.]]>
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			<title>Typhoon Dolphin set to hit China's east coast, triggering flood warnings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622913/typhoon-dolphin-set-to-hit-chinas-east-coast-triggering-flood-warnings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622913/typhoon-dolphin-set-to-hit-chinas-east-coast-triggering-flood-warnings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 26 06:41:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Storm's 162kph winds threaten to batter homes, infrastructure after injuring six in southern Japan]]>
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				<![CDATA[Typhoon Dolphin is set to make landfall on China&#39;s east coast overnight Sunday, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds, as authorities brace for flooding and landslides across a broad swathe of eastern China.

Typhoon Dolphin has already swept through Japan&#39;s southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings.

Before its landfall in China, authorities moved offshore workers to safety, ordered vessels back to port and increased checks at reservoirs, mountain streams, landslide-prone areas, construction sites and tourist locations.

Read: Thousands evacuated in northwest China after heavy rains, flooding

The storm is expected to hit the coast on Sunday evening and into Monday with sustained winds of up to 162 kilometres per hour (101 mph) before weakening and moving inland, China&#39;s National Meteorological Centre said. That is equal to a Category 2 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a storm capable of producing extensive damage to homes, trees and infrastructure.

Torrential rain is forecast through August 10 across Zhejiang, Shanghai, northern Fujian, northeastern Jiangxi, central and southern Anhui, and much of Jiangsu. Parts of central and eastern Zhejiang could receive 250-500 mm (9.8-19.7 inches) of rain, according to forecasters.

After landfall, Dolphin is forecast to track westward before slowing over central and southwestern China and gradually losing strength, Wang Haiping, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Centre, told state broadcaster CCTV.

Read More: Flash flood at China tourist site kills 10

That could prolong heavy rain and raise the risk of flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous areas and along smaller rivers.

The water resources ministry said the Qiantang, Yong, Jiao and Shuiyang rivers could see major, while smaller rivers in the hardest-hit areas could rise above warning levels.

China maintained a Level III flood emergency response in Zhejiang and Fujian, and Level IV in Jiangsu and Anhui. The emergency management ministry said it had sent teams to Zhejiang and Fujian.

China&#39;s four-level emergency system ranks Level I as the most severe.

Also Read: 21 killed as heavy rains drench China

The natural resources ministry also set a Level III geological-disaster response in Zhejiang and a Level IV response in Anhui, warning of landslides and other hazards in eastern Zhejiang and western Anhui.

Authorities warned of a high risk of geological disasters in parts of Zhejiang, while residents in areas covered by the red mountain-torrent warning were told to follow local evacuation orders.

Shanghai&#39;s Yangshan port cleared ships from its berths and moved more than 500 small and medium-sized vessels to shelter ahead of Dolphin, the city&#39;s maritime safety administration said.]]>
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			<title>Accused Thai school shooter had watched violent content online, police say</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622910/accused-thai-school-shooter-had-watched-violent-content-online-police-say</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622910/accused-thai-school-shooter-had-watched-violent-content-online-police-say#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 26 06:21:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Teen learned firearm use on social media; education ministry to roll out new safety protocols within three months]]>
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				<![CDATA[The&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;teen behind a deadly&nbsp;school&nbsp;shooting outside Bangkok&nbsp;had&nbsp;an air gun confiscated by a teacher last year and&nbsp;had&nbsp;watched&nbsp;violent&nbsp;content&nbsp;online,&nbsp;police&nbsp;said on Sunday, as the government promised new safety protocols for&nbsp;schools.

As investigations continued into Friday&#39;s rampage, where a 14-year-old boy allegedly shot dead his grandparents at home before killing another six people at his&nbsp;school&nbsp;before turning the gun on himself, police&nbsp;said the boy&nbsp;had&nbsp;used social media to learn how to use a firearm.

&quot;According to witness interviews, the perpetrator&nbsp;had&nbsp;begun showing interest in studying the use of firearms for some time, about one to two years,&quot; Atthapol Anusit, deputy commissioner of the Provincial&nbsp;Police&nbsp;Region 1, told reporters.

Read:&nbsp;Meta ordered to pay $567m in New Mexico for teen mental health fund

Atthapol, who said&nbsp;police&nbsp;had&nbsp;so far interviewed 17 witnesses, said a knife&nbsp;had&nbsp;also been found in the boy&#39;s bag and other evidence found at the crime scenes included a firearm, spent cartridge cases, and a personal computer.

&quot;After examining the PC, it was found that the child&nbsp;had&nbsp;watched&nbsp;social media content involving violence,&quot;&nbsp;the deputy commissioner said, but added there was no evidence yet that he&nbsp;had&nbsp;practiced shooting.

He said that last year a teacher&nbsp;had&nbsp;confiscated a BB gun, a type of air gun, that the boy took to&nbsp;school. The boy&nbsp;had&nbsp;lived with his grandparents for 12 years after his parents&nbsp;had&nbsp;separated, Atthapol said.

Read More:&nbsp;The dilemma of underage social media use

The Ministry of Education said it would develop new safety protocols over the next three months, including mental health screenings and a system to refer at-risk people to specialists, drills for emergency response plans, a drive to stamp out bullying and better detection to stop items from being taken into&nbsp;schools.

Along with those who died, more than 20 people were injured in&nbsp;Thailand&#39;s worst mass shooting since 2022, which has reignited debate over firearms control in Southeast Asia&#39;s largest gun owning nation.]]>
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			<title>Egypt likely to join Makkah pact, says Turkish FM</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622900/egypt-likely-to-join-makkah-pact-says-turkish-fm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622900/egypt-likely-to-join-makkah-pact-says-turkish-fm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 26 02:26:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[agencies]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[He says that a committee of ministers similar to that within NATO would be formed as part of the alliance]]>
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				<![CDATA[A defence pact signed between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is technically the same as NATO&#39;s Article 5 mutual defence agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday, adding the accord was not targeting Iran.

Fidan also said Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wanted to see the alliance expand, and that Egypt was a potential candidate to join, among others.

Speaking to the state-run Anadolu news agency, Fidan said the new alliance was not directed against Iran or any other country, but rather served as a general pledge to support the three allies&#39; security.

He added that the allies would decide through consultations what degree, form, and format of support they would ask for in the event of an attack, but that no country would be considered a threat as long as a member state is not attacked.

Turkey, which has NATO&#39;s second-largest army, has said the pact was open to expansion to other regional countries and did not seek to replace any existing alliances.

&quot;NATO is a giant military alliance where there are 32 countries. We have started here as three countries and we have to take very humble but concrete steps,&quot; he said, adding efforts to finalise the pact had been underway for two years and eight months.

He added that a committee of ministers similar to that within NATO would be formed as part of the alliance, as well as a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia, but that operational details would be set at the first committee meeting.

&quot;Our president&#39;s vision is that we don&#39;t remain limited to three countries, that we grow and bring together all (regional) countries under this roof,&quot; he said, adding Egypt could potentially join the pact once certain technical matters are resolved.

In recent months, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt formed a group to address regional issues, namely the war on Iran. Turkey has said the group - dubbed the R4 - aims to solidify its partnership through concrete mechanisms.

Fidan also said Turkey should be involved in an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks because shipping safety concerned Ankara&#39;s interests.

Meanwhile, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday welcomed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement among Saudi Arabia, T&uuml;rkiye and Pakistan.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his &quot;strong appreciation and support&quot; for the agreement, describing it as an &quot;important strategic step&quot; reflecting the three countries&#39; commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation, according to a statement by the organisation.

Taha said the agreement constituted &quot;a fundamental pillar for supporting security and stability in the region and across the Muslim world.&quot;

He added that it embodied a shared determination to address growing security challenges and strengthen solidarity and constructive partnerships among OIC member states.

The OIC chief also praised the efforts and leadership of the three countries that culminated in the signing of what he called a &quot;historic agreement.&quot;

He expressed hope that the pact would contribute to achieving peace and prosperity in the region and the wider international community.

On Friday, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defence agreement at a trilateral summit in Makkah, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defence cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the summit held at Al-Safa Palace.

According to information obtained from Turkish officials, the agreement is a defence-oriented cooperation arrangement that targets no country and is designed to strengthen commitments to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity through burden-sharing and a common security approach.

The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries shall be regarded as an attack against them all, the officials added.]]>
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			<title>Trump’s never-ending troubles</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622838/trumps-never-ending-troubles</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622838/trumps-never-ending-troubles#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 26 20:17:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[T-Magazine]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[US president makes claims of victory, but the reality of his second term is far from the pretty picture he paints]]>
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				<![CDATA[Recent reporting by The New York Times has drawn attention to a political reality confronting President Donald Trump that extends far beyond the battlefield. While his administration has framed the war in Iran as a necessary exercise in national security, its consequences are increasingly being felt at home, where higher fuel prices, public unease and growing questions from lawmakers are beginning to shape the domestic political landscape.

The conflict has added a new layer of complexity to an administration that had hoped to spend much of the year focused on the economy. Instead, the White House finds itself balancing military objectives overseas with mounting pressure from voters who are asking whether the costs of the war outweigh its benefits.

Energy prices have emerged as one of the clearest indicators of that pressure. Global oil markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the Middle East, and any prolonged instability involving Iran carries implications for crude supplies and shipping routes. Even when production is unaffected, uncertainty alone can drive prices upward.

At home, for American consumers, that uncertainty is visible and felt at petrol stations across the country. Rising fuel costs ripple through the broader economy, increasing transportation expenses, raising the price of goods and placing additional pressure on household budgets that have already been strained by years of elevated inflation. For an administration that has repeatedly argued it is improving the economy, higher energy prices risk undermining one of its central political messages.

On the other hand, President Trump has maintained that energy markets will eventually stabilise and has expressed confidence that prices will decline once the conflict subsides. He has also publicly criticised major oil companies for reporting strong profits while consumers face higher costs, arguing that companies should do more to lower prices.

Whether those appeals translate into relief remains uncertain. Energy markets respond to global supply expectations rather than presidential rhetoric, meaning that developments on the battlefield often have a more immediate effect than domestic political messaging.

The economic implications arrive at a particularly delicate political moment. Congressional elections are approaching, and Republican candidates must defend not only the administration&rsquo;s domestic record but also an expanding military campaign whose duration remains unclear.

Historically, American public support for military action has depended on clear objectives, limited costs and a defined exit strategy. As conflicts become prolonged, political backing often weakens, particularly when casualties rise or economic conditions deteriorate. The current debate reflects many of those familiar dynamics.

Recent opinion surveys suggest that public support for continued military involvement in Iran has softened. While partisan divisions remain, concerns about the financial cost of the conflict and the absence of a clear timeline for its conclusion have become more pronounced. Such shifts matter politically because sustained public opinion can influence lawmakers, especially those preparing for competitive elections.

The administration&rsquo;s critics argue that the White House now faces a widening gap between its foreign policy objectives and domestic political realities. Every additional week of fighting increases the likelihood that voters evaluate the conflict not simply through the lens of national security but through everyday economic pressures.

The war has also revived a longstanding constitutional debate in Washington over presidential authority to wage military campaigns without explicit congressional approval. Although successive administrations from both parties have relied on broad executive powers for overseas military operations, each new conflict reignites questions about the balance of power between the White House and Congress.



Several lawmakers have argued that military engagements of this scale deserve formal legislative authorisation, particularly when they require substantial public funding and involve long-term strategic commitments. Others contend that the president possesses sufficient constitutional authority to respond rapidly to emerging threats without waiting for congressional approval.

Those legal arguments have now become political ones. Members of Congress are being asked to support additional funding while also explaining the conflict to constituents increasingly concerned about its costs. Even legislators broadly supportive of the administration have begun seeking greater clarity about the war&rsquo;s objectives and its likely duration.

For Republicans, the challenge extends beyond defending military strategy. President Trump campaigned repeatedly on reducing America&rsquo;s involvement in prolonged overseas wars, presenting himself as a leader determined to avoid the costly interventions that characterised earlier administrations. The continuation of fighting in Iran inevitably invites comparisons between those campaign promises and current policy.

Opposition Democrats have sought to capitalise on that contrast, arguing that the administration risks becoming entangled in precisely the kind of open-ended conflict it once criticised. Republicans counter that the circumstances surrounding Iran differ substantially from previous interventions and that national security considerations require flexibility.

The political debate is therefore becoming as much about credibility as policy. Voters who supported a restrained foreign policy may judge the administration differently if they conclude that military commitments are expanding without clearly defined goals or measurable success.

At the same time, the White House continues to argue that abandoning military pressure prematurely would strengthen Iran and undermine broader regional stability. Administration officials have maintained that strategic objectives require patience and that temporary domestic political costs should not dictate national security decisions.

That argument may resonate with voters who prioritise security, but it competes against concerns that are more immediate and tangible. Americans experience the consequences of international crises through rising prices, market volatility and uncertainty about the future. Those everyday realities often carry greater political weight than developments thousands of kilometres away.

The intersection of foreign policy and domestic politics has long shaped American presidencies. Military decisions made overseas frequently alter economic conditions at home, influencing public opinion and electoral outcomes in ways that extend beyond the battlefield itself.

As President Trump continues to defend the administration&rsquo;s handling of both the economy and the conflict in Iran, the two issues are becoming increasingly difficult to separate. The success or failure of the military campaign will not be measured solely by strategic outcomes in the Middle East. It will also be judged by whether Americans believe the economic and political costs were justified.]]>
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			<title>Iran says deal on Strait of Hormuz is close but is not enough to open the waterway</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622748/trumps-top-general-seeks-path-out-of-iran-war-as-military-options-narrow-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622748/trumps-top-general-seeks-path-out-of-iran-war-as-military-options-narrow-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 26 05:21:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622748</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Iran's Pezeshkian says Tehran will not bow to pressure, surrender military capabilities]]>
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				<![CDATA[Iran said on Saturday that a deal with Oman on control of the Strait of Hormuz was close but would not be enough to &zwnj;free up the waterway, and the United Arab Emirates said Iran had hit another ship there.

Agreement between Iran and Oman over the strait is seen as vital to a wider deal to end the war that began with US&nbsp;and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 and led to Tehran establishing a chokehold over the major energy export route.

A US&nbsp;official, who declined to be identified, had said on Friday that Washington&nbsp;anticipated an agreement&nbsp;soon between Iran and ​Oman, which sit on either side of the strait, so that normal oil traffic could resume.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran and Oman were &quot;very close&quot; to agreement on a new ​shipping route through the strait but that reopening it depended on other conditions, including US&nbsp;compensation to Iran.

The secretary of Iran&#39;s top national security body, ⁠Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, listed other demands including ending US&nbsp;threats against Iran, stopping aggression against Iran and its Lebanese, Palestinian, Yemeni and Iraqi allies, lifting a blockade and sanctions on Iran and freeing Iranian ​assets.

Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guard says re-opening Strait of Hormuz does not depend on talks with Oman

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Spokesperson Brigadier General Mohebbi said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz was subject to the specific mechanisms and conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and was entirely unrelated to negotiations between Iran and Oman, Press TV reported on Saturday.

&ldquo;The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the specific mechanisms and conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is entirely unrelated to the negotiations between Iran and Oman,&rdquo; Mohebbi said.



IRGC Spokesperson Brigadier General Mohebbi:

🔹 The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the specific mechanisms and conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is entirely unrelated to the negotiations between Iran and Oman. pic.twitter.com/hOoJVOKR4Y
&mdash; Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) August 8, 2026


Iran&#39;s Pezeshkian says Tehran will not bow to pressure, surrender military capabilities

President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that Iran will not accept pressure aimed at forcing the country into submission, stressing that the Islamic Republic would continue to defend what it regards as its rights and maintain its military and defensive capabilities, Press TV reported on Saturday.

&ldquo;If they seek to force us into submission, we will fight. We will not back down, nor will we bow our heads. When we are capable of securing our rights, why should we travel down a path that is desired by Israel?&rdquo; the chief executive said in the third and final part of a televised broadcast aired on Friday, marking the second anniversary of his inauguration.



Iran will resist any attempt to force it into submission: Pres. Pezeshkianhttps://t.co/LFxPt4ZSOr
&mdash; Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) August 8, 2026


Pezeshkian rejected the prospect of Iran giving up its military capabilities and defensive power, describing their preservation as a matter that the country would not compromise on.

&ldquo;Would it be right for us to accept having all our military capabilities and defensive power taken away from us and to bow before them (the adversaries)? We will not do such a thing,&rdquo; he said.



Iran defense chief: Indigenous technology outmatches regional systems as US stockpiles shrink https://t.co/DolRHTPvQ7
&mdash; Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) August 6, 2026


&quot;Armed forces astonished the world&quot;

He also described Iran&rsquo;s military response during the latest bout of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression as an act of defence and praised the country&rsquo;s Armed Forces for their performance.

&ldquo;We were forced to defend ourselves, and, by God, our fighters &ndash; our Aerospace Forces, the Army, the IRGC, and all our servicemen &ndash; put up a fierce defence and astonished the world,&rdquo; Pezeshkian said.

&quot;Israel, US seeking to unite Persian Gulf states against Iran&quot;

The president denounced the Israeli regime and the United States for seeking to bring Persian Gulf countries together against Iran.

&ldquo;Now, with the war that has unfolded, Israel and the United States are seeking to unite the Persian Gulf countries against us, and we, for our part, are working to prevent that from happening,&rdquo; he said.

Despite the provocations attempted by Tel Aviv and Washington, Iran believes in Muslim unity and does not view divisions between Shia and Sunni Muslims as a basis for separating Muslims from one another, the senior official stated.



&lsquo;Time to rely only on ourselves, embrace true brotherhood&rsquo;: Iran tells regional Muslim nationshttps://t.co/szExoQflmX
&mdash; Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) August 7, 2026


&ldquo;This is my belief and conviction, and I say it not as a slogan, but because I genuinely believe in it: Muslims are brothers to one another.&rdquo;

Pezeshkian rejected the idea that Iran seeks territorial expansion or intends to attack neighbouring countries, contrasting this official position with the Israeli regime&rsquo;s territorial ambitions.

&ldquo;We have no intention of attacking other countries, seizing territory, or expanding our borders. Unlike the Zionists, who are in fact seeking a &lsquo;Greater Israel&hellip;&rsquo; We are neighbours with the countries of the region, we share borders with them, and we must live alongside one another&hellip;&rdquo;

He further addressed the role of regional countries in the latest foreign aggression targeting Iran, saying US forces had used those states&rsquo; respective territories to target the Islamic Republic.

&ldquo;The question is: From where did they (the aggressors) strike Minab School?&rdquo; he asked, referring to a school that was targeted in southern Iran in the early stages of the aggression, claiming the lives of 168 people. &ldquo;From those very Muslim and friendly countries.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Why should they allow them to come and attack us? We do not want to target those countries; we strike the place from which we are attacked,&rdquo; Pezeshkian noted, referencing Iran&rsquo;s retaliatory strikes on American interests in the countries that had let their territories be used as launch pads for aggression against the Islamic Republic.

Trump&#39;s top general seeks path out of Iran war as military options narrow: report

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine has privately urged senior Trump administration officials to seek a way to de-escalate the war with Iran, amid concerns that available military options could produce limited results and trigger wider retaliation, according to a report on Friday.

Citing three sources familiar with the discussions, CNN reported that Caine raised his concerns with senior officials including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.

The report said Caine and other officials believe airpower alone is unlikely to force Tehran to accept US demands, despite President Donald Trump&#39;s continued preference for avoiding a ground invasion.

Caine and other senior officials were reportedly skeptical of a proposed escalation in late July, partly due to concerns about Iranian retaliation against US allies and regional energy infrastructure. Trump ultimately postponed the operation after Gulf partners warned of possible attacks, said the report.

It also highlighted growing concerns about depleted US weapons stocks, including air-defense interceptors and other precision munitions, which could constrain Washington&#39;s ability to sustain a prolonged conflict.



Over the last few weeks, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine has privately made clear to other top Trump advisers that the US needs to find an off-ramp from the war with Iran, sources say. https://t.co/wIgabMboyF pic.twitter.com/7eTSo8Ow9R
&mdash; CNN (@CNN) August 7, 2026


Noting that Caine has warned Trump about the military risks, CNN said he also emphasized US forces could inflict significant damage on Iran if ordered to escalate.

The report said administration officials are now looking for an outcome Trump could portray as a political victory while leaving room for diplomacy, including a possible agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

US expects deal soon on Strait of Hormuz; Sunni powers unite in defence pact

A US official on Friday reported progress between Iran and Oman that could soon reopen the Strait ​of Hormuz, potentially restoring oil exports that have been disrupted by the five-month-old US war with Iran.

The US official, who declined to be identified, said Washington anticipated &zwnj;an agreement soon between the two countries, which sit on either side of the strait, so that normal oil traffic could resume.

A deal between Iran and Oman over control of the strategic waterway is seen as crucial to a wider peace agreement.

Read: Iran&#39;s top negotiator slams US&rsquo;s &#39;theatre diplomacy on loop&#39;

&quot;There is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait, and we expect a deal soon,&quot; a US official told Reuters on Friday. &quot;Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States ​will lift the blockade of Iranian ports.&quot;

&quot;As always, US actions will continue to be performance-based and tied to Iran&rsquo;s implementation of its commitments,&quot; the official said.

Before the US and ​Israel launched the war on Iran on February 28, about one out of every five barrels of oil consumed worldwide transited the strait, but Iran ⁠has used the hostilities to justify charging a toll on oil tankers and firing on ships that attempt to cross the strait without permission.

That disruption in oil shipments has caused energy prices ​to surge and fueled inflation.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly signaled that a deal to open the strait could be close, only to have Iran deny that talks are under way. It ​was unclear whether the latest flurry of negotiations would yield a more lasting arrangement.

Iranian strikes on Strait of Hormuz shipping have been coupled with increased attacks by its Yemen-based allies, the Houthis, who have targeted ships at another oil chokepoint on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, one of the world&#39;s largest energy producers, said on Friday that 15 of its vessels had ​been struck in what it called unprovoked attacks while transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict. The attacks have killed one crew member and wounded 20 others, it said.

New security pact 

Alarmed at a regional conflagration that has brought Iranian missile fire onto Gulf oil exporters, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a joint defence agreement in Makkah on Friday.

The pact among three US allies with majority &zwnj;Sunni Muslim ⁠populations is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all, the countries said in a statement.

Turkey said the agreement was not aimed at any specific country and was purely defensive. But it comes at a time of heightened tensions with Shi&#39;ite-majority Iran.

Read more: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye sign joint defence pact in Makkah

Meanwhile, the US has been trying to broker an end to fighting on another front of the war between Israel and Iranian-backed Shi&#39;ite group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

A Lebanese official said on Friday that Lebanon and Israel agreed on a shortlist of countries that ​could send troops to verify the disarmament of ​Hezbollah under a US-brokered agreement. The United ⁠States would pick countries from the list.

Iran president defends diplomacy

Washington and Tehran have not engaged in direct high-level talks since US Vice President JD Vance met Iranian officials in Switzerland in June, shortly after the two sides reached a ceasefire agreement. That short-lived June 17 memorandum of understanding established terms ​for resuming Strait of Hormuz oil shipping and led to a ceasefire.

Amid internal opposition to the deal in the US and Iran, hostilities resumed ​on July 7, only ⁠to be put on hold again. The US military&#39;s Central Command has not reported any strikes on Iran since July 29.

Also read: Iran threatens to &#39;black out&#39; Gulf if power plants hit by US

Analysts have said signs of fissures between Iran&#39;s civilian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and the other power centers in Iran, notably Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, may be complicating peace efforts.

In an interview with state television broadcast on Friday, Pezeshkian defended his government&#39;s policies against hardliners ⁠who have ​opposed negotiations with the United States. He said that most senior military commanders supported talks towards a deal to stop ​the fighting.

&quot;America&#39;s biggest enemy is China; why don&#39;t they fight? China is doing its own thing and is getting stronger day by day. When we can get our rights through dialogue, why not do it?&quot; he said.]]>
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			<title>Democrats plan Trump investigations over impeachment if they win House, sources say</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622784/democrats-plan-trump-investigations-over-impeachment-if-they-win-house-sources-say</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622784/democrats-plan-trump-investigations-over-impeachment-if-they-win-house-sources-say#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 26 11:36:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622784</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Party eyes subpoenas, hearings to obtain records from entities tied to president's political, business orbit]]>
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				<![CDATA[United States&nbsp;House&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;preparing for a possible return to power are developing a broad investigative strategy targeting companies and financial firms surrounding President Donald&nbsp;Trump, instead of trying to impeach him immediately, according to four people familiar with the discussions.

Senior&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;in the US&nbsp;House&nbsp;of Representatives&nbsp;and committee aides have discussed using hearings, subpoenas and document requests to obtain records from entities tied to&nbsp;Trump&#39;s political and business orbit, the&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

It is a bet&nbsp;that&nbsp;investigating private&nbsp;companies and outside financial players&nbsp;will&nbsp;prove more fruitful than directly confronting&nbsp;a White&nbsp;House&nbsp;they expect to resist&nbsp;oversight,&nbsp;they said.

The approach reflects both Democratic caution and a lesson many in the party&nbsp;say&nbsp;they learned during Trump&#39;s first term: that&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;proceedings can consume Congress while allowing&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;to cast himself as the victim of a partisan campaign.

Instead,&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;involved in the&nbsp;planning envision using&nbsp;House&nbsp;investigative powers after November&#39;s midterm elections to scrutinise the administration&#39;s decision-making and examine whether Trump&nbsp;used his power to benefit himself, allies or donors.

Read:&nbsp;Analysis: Trump&#39;s Iran dilemma deepens as war drags on with no clear exit

&quot;We&#39;re not going into this to impeach,&quot; said a senior Democratic aide, describing the thinking among party leaders and committee staff. &quot;No one wants a failed vote on day one. The focus is on building a body of evidence through&nbsp;investigations&nbsp;that can hold&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;accountable.&quot;

Republicans hold a narrow&nbsp;House&nbsp;majority, and polls favor&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;regaining the majority in November.&nbsp;Winning control would give&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;the power to issue subpoenas, compel testimony and documents, hold public hearings and pursue contempt proceedings.

Democrats&nbsp;expect the White&nbsp;House&nbsp;to fight or ignore requests aimed at the executive branch, making companies, contractors and financial firms working with the administration an important route for obtaining information, the&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

The White&nbsp;House&nbsp;said in a statement that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;has worked to thwart the &quot;radical left&#39;s agenda&quot; and remains committed to preserving Republican majorities in Congress. A White&nbsp;House&nbsp;official said the administration is &quot;prepared to respond to&nbsp;oversight requests, no matter who is in the&nbsp;House&nbsp;or Senate.&quot;

Three&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said&nbsp;Apple, Alphabet, Palantir, Blackstone, BlackRock and companies owned by Elon Musk, such as Tesla, have surfaced in discussions because of their contracts, regulatory exposure or administration dealings.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said no final target list has been established and no formal&nbsp;investigations&nbsp;have begun.

The&nbsp;sources&nbsp;provided no further details about the&nbsp;investigations.&nbsp;Reuters could not determine if they face any accusations of wrongdoing. Alphabet, Palantir, Blackstone and BlackRock declined comment. Apple and Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

Read More:&nbsp;Senate minority leader criticizes Trump&rsquo;s proposed &#39;Golden Fleet&#39; battleships as costly &lsquo;vanity&rsquo; project

Democrats&nbsp;are expected to examine Department of Homeland Security contracts, financing for Trump&#39;s planned White&nbsp;House&nbsp;ballroom, corporate donors and alleged pay-to-play arrangements, two sources said.

They also&nbsp;plan&nbsp;a probe of&nbsp;Trump-linked financial vehicles including 1789 Capital - a venture capital firm where his son Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;Jr&nbsp;is a partner - and foreign sovereign wealth funds whose investments in&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;family-linked entities&nbsp;could raise questions about administration influence, the&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

1789 Capital did not respond to a request for comment.

Because foreign funds may be harder for congressional committees to reach,&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;are discussing seeking records from US-based firms and funds tied to&nbsp;Trump&#39;s family and other intermediaries, the two sources&nbsp;said.

Laying the groundwork

Democrats&nbsp;have already begun laying the groundwork for&nbsp;investigations, two of the&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

Party leaders are sending letters to companies, contractors and other organisations connected to potential&nbsp;investigations, they said. The requests seek records and pave the way for subpoenas if&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;win&nbsp;the&nbsp;House, the two&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

Representatives Robert Garcia&nbsp;from California&nbsp;and Jamie Raskin&nbsp;from Maryland, the top&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;on the&nbsp;House&nbsp;Oversight and Judiciary Committees, respectively, said existing&nbsp;investigations&nbsp;would expand if&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;win&nbsp;the&nbsp;House.

&quot;From sketchy Pentagon contracts lining the pockets of the president&#39;s sons,&nbsp;Trump&#39;s crypto billions, and the shady backroom deals for&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;donors, we will ensure we combat corruption when Democrats take back the&nbsp;House&nbsp;in November,&rdquo; Garcia said in a statement.

The letters include requests&nbsp;for information from&nbsp;media company Paramount Skydance&nbsp;over&nbsp;its dealings with the&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;administration and the proposed Warner Bros&nbsp;Discovery deal as well as video platform YouTube and parent company Alphabet over&nbsp;the company&#39;s $24.5 million settlement with&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;in September.

Also Read:&nbsp;Trump promoted companies on Truth Social days after buying their stocks: CNN report

Letters have also been sent to private prison operator GEO Group and security firm Salus Worldwide Solutions for their contracts with the DHS&nbsp;as well as commodity traders Vitol and Trafigura&nbsp;over&nbsp;the administration&#39;s sale of Venezuelan oil,&nbsp;the two&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

Alphabet and Trafigura declined comment. The others did not respond to requests for comment.

The companies can ignore the requests while&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;are in the minority. But the letters put potential targets on notice and signal records&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;could subpoena, the two&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

Impeachment not first move

House&nbsp;Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in June on NBC&#39;s Meet the Press that Democrats haven&#39;t ruled out impeaching&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;if they&nbsp;win&nbsp;back the&nbsp;House&nbsp;but that the party&#39;s focus would be on pocketbook issues.

Democrats&nbsp;involved in the&nbsp;planning&nbsp;say&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;remains an option if investigations uncover evidence of an impeachable offense, but not as a first move.

The calculation reflects the party&#39;s experience during&nbsp;Trump&#39;s first term, when he became the first US president to be impeached twice by the&nbsp;House&nbsp;before being acquitted by the Senate each time.

&quot;If&nbsp;investigations&nbsp;uncover&nbsp;evidence that we believe meets the threshold, we will not hesitate to move forward,&quot;&nbsp;said the senior Democratic aide.]]>
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			<title>Israel cancels entry permits for US activists supporting Palestinians in West Bank</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622788/israel-cancels-entry-permits-for-us-activists-supporting-palestinians-in-west-bank</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622788/israel-cancels-entry-permits-for-us-activists-supporting-palestinians-in-west-bank#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 26 12:15:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[American Jewish activists say travel permits revoked after volunteer work in occupied West Bank]]>
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				<![CDATA[Israel has revoked the entry permits of a group of American Jewish activists who participated in protests in the occupied West Bank against attacks by Israeli occupiers on Palestinians and their property, The Forward, a United States Jewish publication, reported Friday.

Activist Sam Sherman told the newspaper that he received an email canceling his travel permit while taking part in a seven-week volunteer program in the occupied West Bank&#39;s Masafer Yatta area, where he was supporting Palestinians.

&ldquo;It happened to me and a few others in my cohort&hellip;within the same hour,&rdquo; Sherman said. &ldquo;A few of us got the same email within minutes of each other.&rdquo;

Read:&nbsp;Vandalism to arson: Israeli occupier attacks on mosques in West Bank hit record levels

Sherman said soldiers, police and armed occupiers photographed his passport &ldquo;during confrontations initiated by settlers,&rdquo; the report said.

&ldquo;We were just there hanging out with people, essentially,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But we were treated as if it was almost criminal for us to be there.&rdquo;

Sherman said more experienced Jewish activists told him he would not be allowed to enter Israel again unless he immigrated there permanently. &ldquo;If I&rsquo;m the wrong kind of Jew for Israel,&rdquo; he said sarcastically, &ldquo;sure. Great.&rdquo;

Israeli authorities did not provide an explanation for canceling the travel permits of the American Jewish activists.

Read More:&nbsp;Israel charges settler in Palestinian activist&#39;s killing, in rare indictment

Israeli occupiers have carried out numerous attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian officials.

Official Palestinian figures show that occupiers carried out 3,488 attacks against Palestinians and their property during the first six months of 2026. The attacks included assaults against individuals and property, the establishment of illegal new settlement outposts and the prevention of Palestinian farmers from accessing their land.]]>
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			<title>Japan eyes record $56b defence budget amid regional security concerns</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622774/japan-eyes-record-56b-defence-budget-amid-regional-security-concerns</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622774/japan-eyes-record-56b-defence-budget-amid-regional-security-concerns#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 26 08:55:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622774</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Proposed budget to focus on preparing 'new forms of warfare,' including drones, artificial intelligence]]>
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				<![CDATA[Japan&rsquo;s Defence Ministry plans to seek a record 8.9 trillion yen ($56 billion) in defence spending for fiscal 2027, as Tokyo accelerates its military buildup amid growing regional security concerns, Kyodo News reported on Saturday.

The budget request, to be submitted by the end of August to the finance ministry, could rise further during year-end negotiations.

A senior government official said total defence spending could eventually reach about 10 trillion yen ($63 billion).

The proposed budget would focus on preparing Japan&rsquo;s Self-Defence Forces for what officials call &ldquo;new forms of warfare,&rdquo; including the growing use of drones and artificial intelligence.

Japan plans to invest in interceptor drones, AI-assisted command-and-control systems, longer-range missiles, cloud infrastructure for classified data, and high-powered laser and microwave weapons.

Read:&nbsp;Japan, US confirm joint yen-buying intervention, signal more action

The planned spending is part of Japan&rsquo;s five-year defence buildup program, which allocates 43 trillion yen ($270 billion) for fiscal 2023-2027.

Tokyo has steadily increased defence spending since adopting a new national security strategy in 2022, citing security threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

Analysts warn that Japan&rsquo;s expanding defence capabilities could contribute to an arms race in East Asia, while China has criticised&nbsp;Tokyo&rsquo;s military buildup]]>
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			<title>Inside the Makkah defence pact and its regional implications</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622637/inside-the-makkah-defence-pact-and-its-regional-implications</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622637/inside-the-makkah-defence-pact-and-its-regional-implications#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 26 15:09:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Saudi FM says pact symbolises depth of strategic relations]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defence agreement in Makkah on Friday, wedding allies alarmed at a regional conflagration that has brought Iranian missile fire onto Gulf oil exporters.

Iran and its allies have been firing on Saudi Arabia &zwnj;and other Gulf states, and blockading their energy shipments, since the US and Israel attacked it on February 28 in a major escalation after years of regional tumult.



HRH the Crown Prince, President of T&uuml;rkiye, and Prime Minister of Pakistan Sign the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/yKDNrROKr1
&mdash; SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) August 7, 2026


The &quot;Makkah Joint Defence Agreement&quot; is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all, they said in a joint statement.

However, the statement did not give specifics on the commitments each ​had accepted, and it was not clear how far their agreement would bind them to any particular military action in each other&#39;s defence.

Here is how it has been received by politicians and analysts so far:

Saudi FM hails pact 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said that the pact signed reflected&nbsp;the depth of their strategic relations.

&ldquo;The signing by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the president of the Republic of T&uuml;rkiye, and the prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan of the Makkah Mutual Defence Agreement confirms the depth of the brotherly and strategic relations among the three countries,&rdquo; he said in a post on X.



توقيع سمو سيدي ولي العهد وفخامة رئيس الجمهورية التركية، ودولة رئيس وزراء جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية، على اتفاقية مكة للدفاع المشترك يؤكد عمق العلاقات الأخوية والاستراتيجية بين الدول الثلاث، ويشكل محطة مهمة في مسيرة التعاون الدفاعي بينها، وتتويجًا للرغبة المشتركة في توحيد الجهود&hellip;
&mdash; فيصل بن فرحان (@FaisalbinFarhan) August 7, 2026


He described the agreement as an &ldquo;important milestone in the path of defence cooperation.&rdquo;

The minister said it marked the culmination of a shared desire to unify efforts to address challenges and threats to the region&#39;s security and stability.

&ldquo;The pact would serve our countries and peoples, reflect positively on the entire region, and pave the way for a secure future in which opportunities for development and prosperity are strengthened,&rdquo; he added.

Separately, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the agreement established a framework for a long-term defence partnership among Saudi Arabia, T&uuml;rkiye and Pakistan.



The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between KSA, Pakistan, and Turkey 🇸🇦🇵🇰🇹🇷 establishes a framework for a long-term defense partnership, enhancing deterrence, coordination, and integration between our countries, and contributing to regional and global security and stability. https://t.co/lLCGmad2y4 pic.twitter.com/LObdyoxvIX
&mdash; Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) August 7, 2026


In a post on X, he said the pact would enhance deterrence, coordination and integration among the three countries while contributing to regional and global security and stability.

Powerful political symbolism

&quot;Three of the Muslim world&#39;s most influential states are convening at a moment of heightened uncertainty, demonstrating a growing willingness among regional and middle powers to coordinate ​more closely on security matters,&quot; said Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Centre, a Saudi-based think tank.

&quot;The trilateral framework could strengthen the three countries&#39; collective diplomatic and defence weight while contributing to the emergence of a more regionally driven security architecture,&quot; Sager added.

Turkiye has NATO&#39;s second-largest military. Saudi Arabia is home to Islam&#39;s holiest sites and one of the world&#39;s top oil exporters, while Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country.

However, Rayed Krimly, Saudi deputy minister for ​public diplomacy, said in a social media post that the accord dif&nbsp;not represent an effort to establish a military axis or a sectarian bloc.

&quot;Nor is it linked to any nuclear ambitions ​or arms race,&quot; he said.

Pact builds on longstanding military ties

The Middle East has been in flames for nearly three years since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

Israel has waged war in Gaza, invaded ​southern Lebanon and seized territory in Syria as well ​as launching two air campaigns against Iran. ⁠Tehran has fired on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan and Israel.

While Turkiye&nbsp;and Pakistan, on the fringes of the Middle East, have avoided significant direct attacks, both are anxious to calm conflicts that threaten their own security and economies.

For Saudi Arabia, three years of Middle ​East conflicts have imperilled its oil exports and ambitious development plans and drawn big questions over the reliability of its longstanding US security ​umbrella.

Burcu Ozcelik, senior research fellow ⁠for Middle East Security at the RUSI think tank, said the agreement was focused on counterbalancing Iranian hegemony in the region and building deterrence against Israel rather than moving towards a confrontation with Tehran.

&quot;I think the objective is very much the opposite,&quot; Ozcelik said.

Pakistan has provided training and technical assistance to Saudi forces for decades, while Turkiye and Pakistan have exchanged warships and training aircraft. Saudi Arabia is a major purchaser ⁠of drones from ​Turkiye.

Pakistan has deployed about 8,000 troops, fighter jets, drones and an air-defence system to the kingdom and opened negotiations with Kuwait ​to provide security in exchange for energy cooperation and investment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&#39;s office declined to comment. A spokesperson for India&#39;s Foreign Ministry said the pact was a development that the country was closely following. Iran did not immediately comment.]]>
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			<title>Trump's Iran dilemma: He's stuck in war with no exit in sight</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622629/trumps-iran-dilemma-hes-stuck-in-war-with-no-exit-in-sight</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622629/trumps-iran-dilemma-hes-stuck-in-war-with-no-exit-in-sight#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 26 13:33:44 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Caught between an emerging interim Strait of Hormuz deal being negotiated by Iran and Oman]]>
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				<![CDATA[With President Donald Trump&rsquo;s war against Iran now in its sixth month, this week&#39;s flurry of threats and diplomacy has underscored the ever-tighter bind he finds himself in as he tries to extricate the US from an unpopular conflict he originally claimed would last just weeks.

Trump ​is caught between an emerging interim deal being negotiated by Iran and Oman that would give Tehran control over the Strait of Hormuz it never possessed before the war, or following through on &zwnj;his warnings of sharp escalation, risking a more prolonged crisis.

The first option, analysts say, would grant Iran its biggest concession since the US and Israel attacked it on February 28 and formalise, at least for now, the Islamic republic&rsquo;s supervision of the vital oil-shipping conduit, which the Trump administration had vowed to prevent.

Read: Trump says Iran wants deal with US, doesn&rsquo;t want to be hit

The second path, likely a fresh wave of airstrikes, could be fraught with political peril for Trump ahead of November&rsquo;s pivotal US midterm elections, while seeming to offer no better chance of success than the earlier bombing that failed to bring Tehran to its knees.

Trump ​could instead choose to maintain the uneasy status quo. That would mean maintaining a blockade of Iran&rsquo;s ports and periodically retaliating for any attacks on shipping. But this approach too would not offer Trump a face-saving way ​out of a conflict he had predicted would be over by mid-April.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a menu of bad options but Trump may have come to the realisation that he can&rsquo;t let this war ⁠go on endlessly,&rdquo; said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator for Democratic and Republican administrations. &ldquo;Something has to give, and that may be recognition of a new Iranian reality in the strait.&rdquo;

Responding to Reuters&#39; questions, a US official said, on condition of anonymity, that any &quot;temporary&quot; shipping routes would be &quot;without any impediments&quot;,&nbsp;with no party overseeing transit.

Chokehold on shipping

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that the strait, where Iran has had a near-chokehold on a fifth of global oil and liquefied ​natural gas shipments since the start of the war, must remain an open international waterway not controlled by Iran and free of tolls or fees.

But Trump has previously contradicted some of Rubio&rsquo;s assertions about the war, and analysts say he could do so again.

With US gasoline prices high, his own approval ratings low and the war deeply unpopular with the American public, the president&#39;s room to manoeuvre is increasingly limited, they say.

Read more: Oil rises on concerns over Strait of Hormuz reopening plans

As the conflict has dragged on, Trump&rsquo;s bluster has done little if anything to force Iran to give ground, and analysts say it is looking ​more likely that the president could be the one making the biggest compromises.

Reopening the strait is seen as a prerequisite for a return to negotiations between Iran and the US, which the Trump administration wants to focus on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme, ​the main declared target of the president&rsquo;s military campaign.

The question remains whether the US would be ready to accept any arrangement worked out between Iran and Oman, which sit on opposite sides of the strait.

The proposed terms would give Tehran some control over ships entering the &zwnj;Gulf through the ⁠strait, a senior Iranian source and two regional officials told Reuters. Trump has said a deal reopening the waterway is imminent, but Iranian officials have said details remain to be resolved.

Even if an Iran-Oman pact is sealed and US-Iran talks resume, experts are sceptical about the chances for a final peace agreement based on the memorandum of understanding the US and Iran signed in June but which quickly unravelled. That preliminary deal had also given Iran some sanctions relief from the start, which drew criticism from some of Trump&#39;s fellow Republicans.

Trump administration officials have increasingly accepted that the conflict likely will still be going on in some form by the time of the midterms, a White House official said on condition of anonymity. In some states, early ​voting begins as soon as September.

This would pose further political ​risks for Trump, who campaigned for a second term ⁠on promises to avoid foreign interventions and focus on Americans&rsquo; economic concerns, as his Republican Party struggles to keep control of Congress.

The US official told Reuters that Trump&#39;s decisions on Iran are not guided by &quot;fluid opinion polls&quot;.

Main war goals unachieved

Though Trump has regularly claimed victory for having killed many of Iran&rsquo;s leaders and degraded its military capabilities, most analysts agree that the ​president has been stymied on many of his goals for the war.

He said on Saturday he cancelled plans for new large-scale attacks after Middle Eastern partners asked him to give ​diplomacy another chance, but at the ⁠same time he threatened to hit hard if the effort failed.

Also Read: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye sign joint defence pact in Makkah

Some analysts suggested Trump&rsquo;s climbdown may have also been driven by concerns about depletion of US missile stockpiles. Trump, however, has denied the US is running low on munitions.

Even so, Trump issued a new contradictory message to Iran on Wednesday. &quot;I&#39;d rather make a deal because I don&#39;t want to kill people,&rdquo; he told a rally in Las Vegas. &ldquo;But at some point we&#39;re gonna.&rdquo;

Iran has warned Washington&rsquo;s Gulf allies that any new US strikes would trigger retaliation against their energy infrastructure, five ⁠sources with knowledge ​of the discussions said.

Jonathan Panikoff, former deputy US intelligence officer for the Middle East, said China, Russia and North Korea are watching closely.

&ldquo;They are learning ​what US limitations are going to be for years to come,&rdquo; he said.

Even some Iran hawks who have mostly backed Trump&rsquo;s war are advising caution.

&ldquo;The Islamic Republic is trying to force President Trump into a lose-lose proposition before November,&quot; Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies, a ​hardline anti-Iran think tank in Washington, wrote on X.

The Trump administration should avoid &quot;rushing into anything&rdquo; and recognise &quot;where the US does and doesn&rsquo;t have leverage&quot;, he said.



The Islamic Republic is trying to force President Trump into a lose-lose proposition before November.

Either a diplomatic surrender at the negotiating table recognizing Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, or a military stalemate on the battlefield through more strikes&hellip; https://t.co/VRKHC4793p
&mdash; Behnam Ben Taleblu بهنام بن طالب لو (@therealBehnamBT) August 5, 2026



&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>What the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkiye defence pact is — and what it isn't</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622616/explainer-what-is-the-pakistan-saudi-arabia-turkiye-defence-pact</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622616/explainer-what-is-the-pakistan-saudi-arabia-turkiye-defence-pact#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 26 11:06:22 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[It builds on decades of strategic ties, without targeting any country, while rejecting comparisons with military blocs]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have formalised their longstanding strategic relationship through the newly signed &quot;Makkah Joint Defence Agreement&quot;, a trilateral security framework that its proponents describe as a defensive arrangement aimed at strengthening collective deterrence, enhancing military cooperation and promoting regional stability.

The agreement, signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, has prompted comparisons with military alliances such as NATO. However, according to security analysts, the pact is intended to formalise decades of existing strategic cooperation rather than create a new military bloc or offensive alliance.

A formal framework for existing ties

According to security analysts, the agreement represents the natural progression of longstanding political, military and strategic relations among the three countries.

They note that Pakistan&#39;s ties with Turkiye date back to the Khilafat Movement, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained decades of defence, political, economic and diplomatic cooperation based on what they describe as mutual trust and shared strategic interests.

Rather than establishing an entirely new partnership, analysts say the agreement provides a formal institutional framework for cooperation that has evolved over many years.

Why now?

Security analysts argue that the agreement reflects a rapidly changing regional security environment.

They point to regional conflicts, evolving security threats and changes in the character of modern warfare as factors driving closer strategic coordination among countries that share common security interests.

According to them, the trilateral framework is intended to preserve regional stability by strengthening collective security mechanisms instead of relying on ad hoc bilateral cooperation.



What the agreement does

At its core, the agreement establishes a framework based on the principles of collective security and collective deterrence.

Security analysts say its central premise is that aggression against one member would be regarded as a threat to all three, thereby increasing the potential cost of military action and discouraging conflict through credible deterrence.

The framework also envisages expanded defence cooperation, including closer military coordination, intelligence sharing, strategic consultations, defence planning and broader institutional cooperation between the three countries.

According to analysts, pooling military capabilities and strategic coordination is intended to improve preparedness while reducing the likelihood of regional conflict.

The complementary roles of the three countries

The agreement draws on what security analysts describe as the complementary strengths of each participant.

Pakistan contributes experienced armed forces, operational expertise and strategic planning capabilities developed through decades of counterterrorism operations and conventional military preparedness.

Saudi Arabia brings economic strength, regional influence and political leadership, while Turkiye contributes an advanced defence industry, military technology and industrial capacity.

Together, analysts say, these capabilities form a balanced security architecture capable of responding to emerging regional security challenges.

Pakistan&#39;s evolving diplomatic role

Security analysts also argue that Pakistan has increasingly emerged as a regional stabiliser through its diplomatic engagement in recent regional crises.

They cite Pakistan&#39;s mediation efforts during the recent US-Iran conflict, alongside its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Iran, China and the United States, as evidence that Islamabad is well positioned to serve as a bridge between regional and global stakeholders.

They say that this broader diplomatic role complements Pakistan&#39;s contribution to the trilateral framework.

What the agreement is not

While comparisons have been drawn with existing military alliances, security analysts reject several common characterisations of the pact.

They emphasise that the agreement is not:


	an offensive military alliance;
	directed against any specific country;
	a &quot;Muslim NATO&quot;;
	a nuclear security arrangement or extended nuclear deterrence agreement; or
	a religion-based political or military bloc.


Instead, they describe it as a defensive security framework designed to deter aggression, strengthen military cooperation and enhance regional stability without targeting any state.

According to the analysts, the agreement is intended to reinforce self-reliance among the three partners while codifying an existing strategic relationship through a formal institutional mechanism.

A collective deterrence model

Security analysts say the credibility of the framework ultimately depends on continued political coordination among the three governments.

They argue that the leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye has consistently combined military preparedness with diplomatic engagement and strategic restraint, making the agreement a mechanism for crisis management as much as defence cooperation.

According to them, the objective is to reduce the likelihood of conflict through credible deterrence while providing a structured platform for long-term security cooperation among the three countries.

Although the agreement significantly deepens trilateral defence coordination, analysts maintain that its stated purpose is not to create a new geopolitical bloc but to institutionalise an existing strategic partnership centred on collective security, stability and regional cooperation.]]>
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			<title>Analysis: Trump's Iran dilemma deepens as war drags on with no clear exit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622464/analysis-trumps-iran-dilemma-deepens-as-war-drags-on-with-no-clear-exit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622464/analysis-trumps-iran-dilemma-deepens-as-war-drags-on-with-no-clear-exit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 26 18:15:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Analysts say Iran-Oman deal would give Tehran a bigger role in Hormuz despite US opposition]]>
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				<![CDATA[Six months into the conflict with Iran, US President Donald Trump is facing increasingly difficult choices as he seeks to end a war he once predicted would last only weeks.

The latest round of diplomatic efforts and military threats has highlighted Trump&#39;s dilemma: accept an emerging interim agreement between Iran and Oman that could give Tehran unprecedented oversight of the Strait of Hormuz, or escalate military action at the risk of prolonging the conflict and increasing political costs ahead of November&#39;s US midterm elections.

Analysts say the proposed Iran-Oman arrangement would represent Tehran&#39;s biggest concession since US and Israeli strikes began on Feb. 28, while also granting Iran a role in supervising the strategic oil-shipping route that Washington had pledged to keep free from Iranian control.

Alternatively, Trump could order another round of airstrikes, but analysts warn such a move may carry significant political risks without achieving the administration&#39;s objectives.

A third option would be to maintain the current strategy of enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports while responding selectively to attacks on shipping. However, analysts say this approach also offers no clear path to ending a conflict Trump had expected to conclude by mid-April.

&quot;It&#39;s a menu of bad options,&quot; said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator under Democratic and Republican administrations. &quot;Something has to give.&quot;

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said any temporary shipping arrangements would allow vessels to pass without restrictions and without any party exercising control over transit.

Strait of Hormuz at the centre of dispute

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted the Strait of Hormuz must remain an open international waterway, free from Iranian control or transit fees.

Read More: Iran threatens to &#39;black out&#39; Gulf if power plants hit by US

However, analysts say Trump has previously diverged from his administration&#39;s stated positions and could do so again.

With US gasoline prices remaining elevated, approval ratings under pressure and the war proving unpopular with many Americans, Trump&#39;s political room for manoeuvre is narrowing.

Analysts say Iran has shown little sign of yielding despite months of military pressure, increasing the possibility that Washington may ultimately have to make the larger concessions.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is widely viewed as essential for restarting US-Iran negotiations on Tehran&#39;s nuclear programme.

The proposed Iran-Oman framework would reportedly give Tehran some oversight of vessels entering the Gulf through the strait, according to Iranian and regional officials familiar with the negotiations. Trump has said an agreement is close, though Iranian officials say key issues remain unresolved.

Even if negotiations resume, analysts remain sceptical that they will produce a lasting settlement. A memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran in June quickly collapsed despite providing Iran with limited sanctions relief, drawing criticism from some Republicans.

Also Read: Tell Trump to desist or we hit you hard: Iran warns Gulf states

White House officials have increasingly acknowledged that the conflict could continue into the midterm election period, when early voting begins in some states as early as September.

That could complicate Trump&#39;s political position after campaigning on promises to avoid prolonged foreign conflicts and focus on domestic economic issues.

A US official said Trump&#39;s Iran policy is not driven by opinion polls.

War objectives remain elusive

Although Trump has repeatedly declared success in weakening Iran&#39;s military leadership and capabilities, analysts say many of his broader strategic objectives remain unfulfilled.

Trump said on Saturday he cancelled plans for a new wave of large-scale attacks after regional partners urged him to give diplomacy another chance, while warning that military action remained an option if negotiations failed.

Some analysts suggested the decision may also have reflected concerns over US missile stockpiles, although Trump has denied any shortage of munitions.

On Wednesday, Trump again mixed conciliatory and confrontational messages.

&quot;I&#39;d rather make a deal because I don&#39;t want to kill people,&quot; he told a rally in Las Vegas. &quot;But at some point we&#39;re gonna.&quot;

Iran has warned Gulf states that any renewed US strikes would trigger retaliation against regional energy infrastructure, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Analysts also say US rivals, including China, Russia and North Korea, are closely watching how Washington manages the conflict.

Jonathan Panikoff, a former US intelligence official for the Middle East, said the crisis was shaping global perceptions of American military and political limits.

Even some analysts generally supportive of Trump&#39;s approach have urged caution, arguing that Washington should avoid rushing into decisions and instead focus on where it retains leverage.]]>
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			<title>How the new generation of left-wing US media is powering progressive candidates</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622463/how-the-new-generation-of-left-wing-us-media-is-powering-progressive-candidates</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622463/how-the-new-generation-of-left-wing-us-media-is-powering-progressive-candidates#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 26 18:10:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[New left-wing media ecosystem allows them to sidestep traditional gatekeepers of the Democratic establishment]]>
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				<![CDATA[Progressive candidates continue to rack up wins in primary elections across the United States, propelled by a new left-wing media ecosystem allowing them to build a national profile on their own terms -- and sidestep the traditional gatekeepers of the Democratic establishment.

For Pennsylvania state Representative Chris Rabb, ​a Democratic socialist who recently prevailed in a congressional primary against a more moderate rival, appearances on programs like &quot;The Majority Report with Sam Seder&quot; and &quot;Breaking Points&quot; played a key role in his political breakthrough.

&quot;It &zwnj;helps me increase my visibility, validation and ability to raise money,&rdquo; said Rabb, describing it as &ldquo;a Venn diagram of success&rdquo;.

This fast-growing world of left-wing websites, podcasters, YouTube hosts and livestreamers &ndash; many of whom blend opinion journalism and activism &ndash; affords candidates a sympathetic space to sharpen their message and mobilise grassroots support. But it also risks deepening the fissures in the Democratic Party, analysts say, and alienating moderates in the coalition.

On Tuesday, progressive Abdul El-Sayed eked out a victory in Michigan&rsquo;s Democratic Senate primary against Haley Stevens, the preferred candidate of the party establishment.

El-Sayed, a former state health official and ​a rising star in left-wing media, was massively outspent in television advertising -- funded by tens of millions of dollars from pro-Israel and other outside groups -- but still managed to win in a swing state carried by Republican President Donald ​Trump in 2024.

Read: Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary

New media entrepreneurs say they are filling a void in mainstream political coverage and providing a platform for candidates with views that have long been underrepresented in Washington. ⁠They include advocacy for universal healthcare, abolishing ICE and cutting off military aid to Israel.

&ldquo;There is an audience and a demand and a hunger for different viewpoints,&rdquo; said Mehdi Hasan, a former MSNBC host who launched his own news organisation, Zeteo, ​in 2024.

&ldquo;The same energy that enabled us to be a success as a media entity has enabled a lot of political candidates to be successes.&rdquo;&nbsp;

A growing audience

The American left has long had its own constellation of shows and publications. But as the reach ​of, and trust in, traditional media declines and consumers look elsewhere for news, independent content creators are becoming political kingmakers.

While much smaller and less well-funded than right-wing media, the left&#39;s growing network of podcasters, streamers and digital publishers is becoming an increasingly important force in Democratic politics, shaping primary campaigns, fundraising and activist organising.

Zeteo has 700,000 Substack subscribers, up 50% from a year ago. &quot;The Majority Report with Sam Seder&quot; has more than 2 million subscribers on YouTube, and roughly 75% of listeners are under age 55.

Progressive commentator and activist Hasan Piker has more than 3 million ​followers on Twitch.

For campaign strategists, the appeal of this new media environment is simple. Their candidates can have long, in-depth conversations on policy issues &ndash; the kind seldom seen on cable news &ndash; engage directly with voters and generate clips that can be blasted ​across social platforms.

&quot;I think we help create early enthusiasm,&quot; said Sam Seder. &quot;Our audience in particular has a lot of activists and a lot of people who run activist organisations, and I know we have a lot of legislative staffer types.&rdquo;

Candidates often move through the same &zwnj;circuit of shows ⁠and creators, allowing audiences to discover them through trusted ideological allies, said Jesse Lehrich, a Democratic operative and co-host of the political podcast &quot;Nobody Knows Anything.&rdquo;

In turn, rising stars on the left help emerging media figures build their brands.

&ldquo;It&#39;s interconnected,&rdquo; said Hasan. &ldquo;I don&#39;t think one is necessarily leading the other.&rdquo;&nbsp;

&lsquo;Preaching to the choir&rsquo;

Most of the left-wing media personalities that have risen to prominence in recent years are unapologetic partisans.

&quot;Breaking Points&quot; co-host Krystal Ball took part in a livestreamed August fundraiser for El-Sayed and other progressive candidates in Michigan.

Piker canvassed last week for Francesca Hong, who is vying to be the first democratic socialist governor of Wisconsin, and took part in El-Sayed&#39;s election night party in Detroit.

&quot;The work is only beginning,&quot; he posted to X as the last votes trickled in on Tuesday ​night.

Piker has voiced support for Hamas, used the word &quot;cracker&quot; to ​refer to white people and said that &quot;America deserved 9/11,&quot; a ⁠comment he later described as &ldquo;inappropriate.&rdquo; He did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

He has built a deeply devoted following on his daily Twitch streams, where he hosts free-floating discussions about hot-button issues &ndash; similar to Joe Rogan, the influential right-leaning podcaster who endorsed Trump in 2024.

Read More: Hasan Piker enters the spotlight after Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani clash in mayoral debate

For Seder, the goal of &quot;Majority Report&quot; is less about persuading swing voters than educating and energising those already in their ​corner.

&quot;We may be preaching to the choir, but the choir is then going out and preaching to the independents,&quot; he said.

Hans Noel, a professor of government at Georgetown University, ​said these creators and outlets &quot;energise voters ⁠who find the party&rsquo;s platform too lukewarm or uninspiring&quot;.

&quot;At the same time,&quot; he added, &quot;factional voices are not always interested in compromise,&quot; which could pose a problem for candidates like El-Sayed as they seek to win over more moderate Democrats in the general election.&nbsp;

An opposition party

Jennifer Welch and Angie &ldquo;Pumps&rdquo; Sullivan, friends from Oklahoma City, started the &quot;I&#39;ve Had It&quot; podcast in 2022 &ndash; a venue to vent about all the things that annoyed them, from the antics of reality stars to their own misbehaving children.

It wasn&rsquo;t until the 2024 presidential campaign that ⁠they began to talk ​about politics, savaging Trump in typically irreverent terms.

Soon they were interviewing Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris and attending the party convention in Chicago.

Their show ​now has more than 5.2 million subscribers and followers across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Listeners &ldquo;are coming to us to get news and to get our opinion on the news,&rdquo; Welch told Reuters.

El-Sayed appeared on the podcast twice, and Welch endorsed him on-air, a decision she described as a &ldquo;layup&rdquo;.

&ldquo;I think that the Democratic ​base is so much further than what the establishment realises,&quot; she said, &quot;and I think candidates like Abdul are the future of the Democratic Party if we are to be an opposition party.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Turkish president says Makkah Joint Defence Agreement targets no country, open to other friendly nations</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622643/turkish-president-says-makkah-joint-defence-agreement-targets-no-country</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622643/turkish-president-says-makkah-joint-defence-agreement-targets-no-country#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 26 16:02:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622643</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says the agreement reaffirms the right to self-defence as defined under Article 51 of the UN Charter]]>
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				<![CDATA[Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed earlier in the day between T&uuml;rkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan targeted no country and remained open to the participation of other friendly nations seeking peace, prosperity and stability in the region.

In a post on the Turkish social platform NSosyal, Erdogan said the agreement, based on the principle of collective deterrence, would strengthen security and defence cooperation, support joint defence industry projects and contribute to counterterrorism efforts.

He said the agreement also reaffirms the right to self-defence as defined under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

&quot;The agreement does not target any country and is open to the participation of all brotherly countries seeking peace, prosperity and stability in our region,&quot; Erdogan said.



Bug&uuml;n Suudi Arabistan Veliaht Prensi ve Başbakanı Muhammed bin Selman&rsquo;ın nazik davetine icabetle Mekke-i M&uuml;kerreme&rsquo;ye bir ziyaret ger&ccedil;ekleştirdik.

Ziyaretimde aziz kardeşlerim Suudi Arabistan Veliaht Prensi ve Başbakanı Muhammed bin Selman ve Pakistan Başbakanı Şahbaz Şerif&rsquo;le&hellip;
&mdash; Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) August 7, 2026


T&uuml;rkiye, he added, would firmly maintain its principled stance in favour of resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy, based on respect for international law and in line with its vision of regional ownership.

Erdogan said he travelled to Makkah earlier Friday at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, where he met with the Saudi crown prince and PM Shehbaz Sharif.

&quot;On this occasion, as the three countries, we signed a Joint Defence Agreement,&quot; he said.

READ: What the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkiye defence pact is &mdash; and what it isn&#39;t

Erdogan expressed hope that the visit, consultations and agreement would benefit the entire region.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also described the pact as a &ldquo;historic step&rdquo; that would strengthen the region&rsquo;s security architecture.

Yilmaz said it would reinforce cooperation in collective security, deterrence, the defence industry and regional stability, while advancing T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s peace-oriented foreign policy vision and multidimensional strategic partnerships.



Bug&uuml;n Mekke&rsquo;de, Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Suudi Arabistan Veliaht Prensi Sayın Muhammed bin Selman ile Pakistan Başbakanı Sayın Şahbaz Şerif tarafından Mekke Ortak Savunma Anlaşması imzalandı.

Dost ve kardeş &uuml;lkeler Suudi Arabistan ile Pakistan arasında&hellip; pic.twitter.com/jRvsQNQYES
&mdash; Cevdet Yılmaz (@_cevdetyilmaz) August 7, 2026


He stressed that the agreement was &ldquo;not directed against any country&rdquo;.

Yilmaz also expressed hope that the strategic cooperation established in the security field would expand into economic areas.

&ldquo;We expect the spirit of strategic cooperation established in the field of security through this agreement to also accelerate economic cooperation, particularly in connectivity, trade, finance and investment,&rdquo; he said.

He said regional partnerships were becoming increasingly important at a time when global institutions and rules were weakening.

&ldquo;These forms of cooperation could also lay the groundwork for a fairer global order in the future,&rdquo; he added.

READ MORE: Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence deal in pipeline, defence production minister says

Yilmaz said he hoped the agreement, built on a shared history, brotherhood and solidarity, would bring positive outcomes for the region, the Islamic world and global peace.

In addition, Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran described the agreement as &quot;a historic step&quot; that strengthened the countries&#39; shared history, deep-rooted fraternal ties and strong spirit of solidarity on a strategic basis.

Duran said on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal that T&uuml;rkiye, under the leadership of President Erdogan, remains committed to contributing to regional and global peace, security and stability through strategic cooperation with friendly and brotherly countries in an increasingly complex global security environment.

&quot;The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed between T&uuml;rkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is a historic step in further strengthening our shared history, deep-rooted brotherly ties and strong spirit of solidarity on a strategic basis,&quot; he said.



Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan&rsquo;ın liderliğinde &uuml;lkemiz, değişen ve karmaşıklaşan k&uuml;resel g&uuml;venlik ortamında dost ve kardeş coğrafyalarla stratejik iş birliklerini g&uuml;&ccedil;lendirmeye, b&ouml;lgesel ve k&uuml;resel barış, g&uuml;venlik ve istikrara &ouml;nc&uuml;l&uuml;k etmeye kararlılıkla devam&hellip; pic.twitter.com/u1hDyeE0VJ
&mdash; Burhanettin Duran (@burhanduran) August 7, 2026


Duran said the agreement did not target any country and would strengthen the three nations&#39; common security and collective deterrence while advancing defence industry cooperation and military interoperability, contributing significantly to preserving peace and stability in the region.

He added that the agreement reflected the determination of the three countries to uphold their shared values and build the future security architecture through solidarity.

He further expressed hope that the agreement would bring benefits to the three brotherly countries and further strengthen the deep-rooted brotherhood and strategic cooperation among T&uuml;rkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.]]>
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			<title>FM Dar calls for 'unity and resolve' among Islamic countries to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Israeli incursions</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622179/dar-arrives-in-jordan-for-ministerial-talks-on-jerusalem</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622179/dar-arrives-in-jordan-for-ministerial-talks-on-jerusalem#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 26 05:17:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622179</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Arab, Muslim FMs issue joint declaration, agree on mechanism to document Israeli violations in Jerusalem​​​​​​​]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday called for &quot;unity and resolve&quot; among Arab and Islamic countries to collectively call for the protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Israeli incursions.

Dar is in Jordan for a ministerial meeting on the deteriorating situation in Jerusalem and the West Bank, where he has been holding a series of bilateral meetings with regional counterparts alongside discussions on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and broader regional developments.

Addressing the ministerial meeting, he noted that while the ceasefire and United States President Donald Trump&#39;s &quot;comprehensive plan&quot; provided an opportunity &quot;to alleviate humanitarian suffering and advance an incredible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood&quot;, the current moment &quot;requires collective responsibility to preserve the opportunity for peace&quot;.

In light of this, he said, Arab and Islamic countries &quot;must act with unity, resolve and collective action&quot;. Dar called on nations to reaffirm the protection of Jerusalem and its holy sites, &quot;by demanding an immediate cessation of all violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque, preservation of the historical and legal status quo, and unrestricted access to Jerusalem and the holy sites&quot;.

Beyond this call to action, the foreign minister added three others. The second, he said, was to &quot;reject all illegal Israeli settlement activities, annexation attempts, forced displacement and demographic changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334&quot;.



Video of the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at Ministerial Meeting on the Deteriorating Situation in Occupied East Jerusalem (Amman, 5 August 2026) pic.twitter.com/oh5jxOl2sr
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026


The third, Dar said, was to support the &quot;full and faithful implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza conflict and security council resolution 2803&quot;.

Noting that Pakistan welcomed developments under the Board of Peace towards implementation of the process of disarmament under the Gaza peace plan and appreciated the efforts of mediating countries, including the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye, he stated, &quot;We hope that with these developments, concrete steps will be taken towards implementing all commitments under the Gaza peace plan.&quot;

Further, Dar stated that the fourth call was for Arab and Islamic states to strengthen diplomatic efforts &quot;to ensure international protection for the Palestinian people, hold accountable those responsible for crimes and violations committed against civilians, and advance a political solution based on justice, lasting peace, and international legitimacy&quot;.

The foreign minister also noted deep concern over &quot;the continued expansion of illegal settlements, the establishment of new settlement outposts, escalating settler violence, and the continued oppression of the Palestinian people&quot;, particularly in the West Bank.

These policies, Dar said, &quot;violate international humanitarian law, defy the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and further entrench an unlawful occupation&quot;.

&quot;Impunity for these grave violations has emboldened the occupying power to persist with policies that undermine the viability of a Palestinian state, and threaten regional peace and security,&quot; Dar stated.



🔈 PR No. 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at Ministerial Meeting on the Deteriorating Situation in Occupied East Jerusalem (Amman, 5 August 2026)

🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rAIjj0X0ME
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026


Noting that the &quot;humanitarian situation in Gaza is extremely fragile&quot;, the foreign minister noted that the ceasefire and the implementation of elements of the peace plan had yielded some improvements.

However, he stated that 59% of the population still faced crisis-level food insecurity, 1,100 Palestinians had been killed and nearly two million remain confined to just 30% of Gazan territory &quot;enduring miserable conditions&quot;.

This, Dar said, &quot;calls into question the full and faithful implementation of the plan&quot;.

Earlier in his address, the foreign minister stated that the ministerial meeting convened &quot;with a shared sense of urgency&quot; as illegal Israeli actions &quot;continue to threaten the sanctity and historic character of the holy sites, undermine international law, disregard relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and further erode prospect for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace&quot;.

Dar expressed Pakistan&#39;s condemnation &quot;in the strongest possible terms&quot; of the continued Israeli incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque by &quot;extremist Israeli settlers, encouraged by senior Israeli ministers, and carried out under the protection of the occupying forces&quot;.

He added that by &quot;deliberately undermining the religious and historical status of Jerusalem, Israel is provoking the sentiments of billions of Muslims around the globe&quot;.

&quot;This appears to be an attempt to not only undermine regional peace and stability but also to drag the followers of various religions into a wider conflict,&quot; Dar said. He added, &quot;We cannot and must not allow that.&quot;

&quot;Let there be no ambiguity,&quot; the foreign minister said, adding that &quot;Israel has no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.&quot;

All measures seeking to alter their character or status were &quot;null and void and without legal effect&quot;, Dar noted.

He reaffirmed the Palestinian people&#39;s &quot;inalienable right to self-determination and their right to establish an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous state of Palestine, based on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital&quot;.

&quot;A just, comprehensive and lasting peace can only be achieved through respect for international law and realisation of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people,&quot; FM Dar said.

Arab, Muslim ministers agree on mechanism to document Israeli violations in Jerusalem

The Arab and Muslim foreign ministers agreed to establish a permanent mechanism to document and expose Israeli violations in Jerusalem and at its Islamic and Christian holy sites, according to a joint declaration adopted after the ministerial meeting.

The declaration, issued after the meeting, said the mechanism would include a media platform to document Israeli violations against holy sites and worshippers and bring them to the attention of international organisations and the global public.



The Statement Adopted at the Ministerial Meeting in Support of Jerusalem and its Holy Sites pic.twitter.com/BYR5EVlbn4
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026


The participants, including members of the Arab Ministerial Committee on Jerusalem and representatives of Turkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia, also called for immediate international action to halt Israeli measures in Jerusalem and at its holy sites.

The declaration condemned Israeli policies and measures aimed at altering Jerusalem&rsquo;s Arab, Islamic and Christian identity, as well as its legal and demographic status, describing them as null and void and a violation of international law. It reaffirmed that East Jerusalem is part of the occupied Palestinian territory and that Israel has no sovereignty over it.

The declaration reiterated that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine and said establishing a Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967, borders, living alongside Israel under a two-state solution, remains the only path to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

The ministers also condemned Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, including attempts to alter its historical and legal status quo and impose temporal and spatial divisions.

They also denounced increased incursions by extremist settlers and Israeli officials, restrictions on worshippers, interference in the work of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, and continued excavations beneath and around the site.

The declaration reaffirmed that the entire 144-dunam (35.6-acre) Al-Aqsa Mosque, Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.

It said the Jerusalem Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan&rsquo;s Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, is the sole legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction to administer the compound.

The participants also condemned Israeli violations targeting Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, including restrictions on access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, interference in church affairs, restrictions targeting church institutions and properties, and attacks on clergy, worshippers and religious symbols.

The ministers reaffirmed their support for Jordan&rsquo;s Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and pledged to continue supporting the resilience of Palestinians in the city.

They warned that Israeli attacks against Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem could inflame the sentiments of around two billion Muslims worldwide and fuel a religious conflict with repercussions extending beyond the region, threatening regional and international peace and security.

The declaration also rejected unilateral decisions affecting Jerusalem&rsquo;s legal status, including the establishment or relocation of diplomatic missions to the city.

It called for a joint ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States during the UN General Assembly&rsquo;s high-level week in New York in September to discuss developments in Jerusalem and at its holy sites.

FM Dar holds bilateral meetings

FM Dar also held a group meeting with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye in which they&nbsp;reiterated their &quot;unwavering support&quot; for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state.

&quot;They reaffirmed that a just, comprehensive, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue remains indispensable to achieving enduring peace and stability in the Middle East. The ministers also reviewed the evolving regional situation and reaffirmed the importance of continued consultation and close coordination among the four countries in advancing regional stability. They emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to fostering stability and preventing further escalation in the region.&quot;



The Foreign Ministers of the R-4 Group, comprising the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of T&uuml;rkiye, met in Amman on 5 August 2026.

The Ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the legitimate rights&hellip; pic.twitter.com/UbhW0B4Anr
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026



Earlier, Dar and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across a range of sectors and coordinating closely on regional issues, including the deteriorating situation in the Occupied West Bank, during talks on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Amman.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO), Dar met Jordan&#39;s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, as part of his engagements during the high-level ministerial meeting.

The FO said the two leaders welcomed the &quot;growing momentum in Pakistan-Jordan bilateral relations&quot; and reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing cooperation across &quot;political, defence, economic, educational, cultural and people-to-people domains&quot;.



Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, H.E. Mr. Ayman Safadi, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Amman.

The two leaders welcomed&hellip; pic.twitter.com/AQX7mCtmaD
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026


They also exchanged views on regional developments, with particular focus on &quot;the deteriorating situation in the Occupied West Bank&quot;.

During the meeting, Dar appreciated Jordan&#39;s &quot;steadfast role in safeguarding the Islamic and Christian Holy Sites in Jerusalem&quot; and its continued support for the Palestinian people, the statement said.

The two foreign ministers also discussed wider regional developments, including recent developments involving Iran and the United States, and underscored &quot;the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation&quot;.

According to the Foreign Office, they reaffirmed close coordination at both the bilateral and multilateral levels, including at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to promote regional peace and stability.

Separately, Dar also met Somalia&#39;s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting.



Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Amman today.

The two leaders&hellip; pic.twitter.com/KOvZdS7Nng
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026


The two leaders reviewed the &quot;longstanding fraternal ties&quot; between Pakistan and Somalia and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the political, economic, defence, education and capacity-building sectors, the Foreign Office said.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination at multilateral forums and exchanged views on regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East and the deteriorating situation in East Jerusalem.

Dar is in Jordan to participate in the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem, where he has been holding a series of bilateral meetings with regional counterparts alongside discussions on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and broader regional developments.

The foreign minister also met his counterparts from Turkiye, Algeria and Egypt.



Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met H.E. Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of T&uuml;rkiye, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Amman today.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of&hellip; pic.twitter.com/ys482N4WCF
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026




Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with H.E. Ahmad Attaf, Foreign Minister of Algeria, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Amman today.

The two leaders discussed Pakistan-Algeria bilateral relations and&hellip; pic.twitter.com/Kh7pBVEBge
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026




Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 had a cordial exchange with H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Foreign Minister of Egypt, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Amman today.

The two leaders discussed Pakistan-Egypt&hellip; pic.twitter.com/wTy90WhAq4
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026



Dar arrives in Jordan for meeting on Jerusalem

Dar arrived in Amman earlier today&nbsp;to participate in the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem, convened by Jordan, the FO said.

According to a post by the FO on X, Dar was received upon arrival by Jordan&#39;s Director of the Human Rights Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Saja Almajali, Pakistan&#39;s Ambassador to Jordan Major General (retd) Khurram Sarfraz Khan, and officials of the Pakistani embassy.

MoFA stated that Dar has &quot;a full programme of engagements&quot; during his visit, centred on discussions over the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and broader regional developments.



Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived in Amman, Jordan, to participate in the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem, convened by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Upon arrival, the DPM/FM was received by H.E. Ms. Saja Almajali, Director&hellip; pic.twitter.com/K6vxawaGyy
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 5, 2026


The foreign minister&#39;s schedule includes participation in the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem, a call on Jordan&#39;s King Abdullah II, and a series of bilateral meetings with fellow foreign ministers.

The statement said these meetings will focus on &quot;the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest.&quot;

&quot;The meeting will bring together foreign ministers from the Arab League and a group of Islamic countries, including Pakistan, to formulate a unified position on the fast-deteriorating situation in occupied Jerusalem,&quot; MoFA had said earlier.

Read: Pakistan, Egypt condemn Israeli military actions in Gaza, occupied West Bank

It added that Dar would also hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference with participating foreign ministers to exchange views on regional developments, including Palestine, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Dar&#39;s participation, MoFA had said, was a &quot;manifestation of Pakistan&#39;s principled support for the Palestinian people&quot; and its &quot;unwavering commitment&quot; to the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Alongside Dar, senior officials from Turkiye, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Bahrain, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Somalia and Malaysia, as well as the secretary-general of the Arab League, were expected to attend.

Anadolu reported that participants were expected to discuss preserving the historical and legal status of Jerusalem&#39;s holy sites, developments in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, Israel&#39;s actions that are deemed contrary to international law, the Gaza ceasefire process, recent developments concerning the Palestinian issue and international efforts to implement a two-state solution.

Last week, 14 Arab and Palestinian institutions and organisations issued an urgent appeal calling for collective action to protect occupied Jerusalem amid what they described as escalating Israeli violations targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city&#39;s historic identity.

Read More: Pakistan, Turkiye express concern over Israeli actions in Gaza, Al-Aqsa Mosque violations

The appeal warned of an unprecedented Israeli escalation targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalemites, and the city&#39;s Arab, Islamic and Christian identity, saying the measures sought to create new realities on the ground and consolidate control by force.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world&#39;s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980, a move never recognised by the international community.

The appeal said Jerusalem was facing one of the most critical periods in its modern history, citing increased incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist Israeli occupiers under the protection of Israeli forces, along with efforts to impose a temporal and spatial division of the mosque.]]>
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			<title>Senate minority leader criticizes Trump’s proposed 'Golden Fleet' battleships as costly ‘vanity’ project</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622459/senate-minority-leader-criticizes-trumps-proposed-golden-fleet-battleships-as-costly-vanity-project</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622459/senate-minority-leader-criticizes-trumps-proposed-golden-fleet-battleships-as-costly-vanity-project#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 26 17:38:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622459</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Claims president is more interested in attaching his name to exp military programs than addressing domestic concerns]]>
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				<![CDATA[US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday criticised President Donald Trump&rsquo;s proposed new class of battleships, accusing him of prioritising a costly personal project over the economic struggles facing American families.

&quot;While American families can&#39;t even keep their heads above water, Donald Trump is spending his time building himself a &#39;Golden Fleet&#39; of battleships the Navy doesn&#39;t want,&quot; Schumer said on the Senate floor.

His remarks came after a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis estimated that Trump&rsquo;s proposed new class of battleships, intended to form the backbone of the Navy&rsquo;s &ldquo;Golden Fleet,&rdquo; could cost $275 billion.

The CBO report said the first vessel in the proposed class, the USS Defiant, is projected to cost $23.4 billion to construct, while each additional ship could cost $18 billion. The plan envisions 15 battleships.



Trump&rsquo;s latest waste of time and money:

$275 BILLION in taxpayer dollars for a &ldquo;golden fleet&rdquo; of Navy battleships with his name on them.

Not a single penny to lower costs for the American people.

Plenty to serve Trump&rsquo;s egomania and narcissism.https://t.co/gSg32UbLGT
&mdash; Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 6, 2026


Schumer argued that the proposed fleet reflected what he called another example of Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;vanity projects,&rdquo; claiming the president was more interested in attaching his name to expensive military programs than addressing domestic concerns.

&ldquo;Having his name on a bunch of battleships, expensive battleships, is all he cares about,&rdquo; Schumer said, adding that Trump was seeking to build &ldquo;15 Trump-class battleships&rdquo; as part of the initiative.

Read: US Navy Secretary Phelan fired, sources say

The senator also questioned the cost of the plan, saying Trump was prioritising a massive defence expenditure while Americans faced rising costs.

&ldquo;He&rsquo;d rather feed his own ego than feed the American people by putting his name on a $275 billion 15-battleship outlay,&rdquo; he added.]]>
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			<title>UN experts urge Canada to protect threatened Sikh activist</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622082/un-experts-urge-canada-to-protect-threatened-sikh-activist</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622082/un-experts-urge-canada-to-protect-threatened-sikh-activist#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 26 16:50:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622082</guid>
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				<![CDATA[UN experts raised concerns over alleged foreign intimidation and reprisals against Canadian national Singh]]>
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				<![CDATA[United Nations rights experts have urged Canada to take all feasible measures to protect the Sikh activist Moninder Singh, who has been repeatedly warned by the Canadian authorities of credible threats to his life.

In a letter to the Canadian government dated June 3, and made public two months later, as per regular procedure, the five UN experts raised &quot;concerning allegations of foreign intimidation and reprisals&quot; against Singh, a Canadian national.

It recalled that since 2022, Singh has received four so-called &quot;duty to warn&quot; notices from the Canadian authorities about credible and imminent threats to his life.

It urged Canada to &quot;take all feasible measures at its disposal to protect Mr Moninder Singh and his family, as well as similarly-situated individuals on Canadian soil.

&quot;We also urge the authorities to accelerate the investigations into these allegations, hold perpetrators accountable, ensure adequate remedy to victims, and take all steps to prevent reoccurrence.&quot;

The letter was written by the special rapporteurs on protecting rights while countering terrorism; on freedom of peaceful assembly; on human rights defenders, and on freedom of religion; and the expert on promoting a democratic international order.

UN special rapporteurs and experts are independent figures appointed by the Human Rights Council to report their findings. They do not, therefore, speak for the United Nations itself. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Indian government.

Transnational repression

Singh visited the United Nations in Geneva earlier this year to appeal for international action against India&#39;s alleged targeting of Sikh activists abroad, and against so-called transnational repression more broadly.

Sikh activists accuse India of targeting members of their community around the world, including alleged killings using organised crime groups &mdash;&nbsp;charges India denies.

The best-known case was the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a friend of Singh&#39;s who was gunned down near the Sikh temple he led in a Vancouver suburb.

Read More: India&#39;s global crime network

Canada&#39;s then-prime minister, Justin Trudeau, publicly accused India of involvement in that assassination, a charge later repeated by Canadian intelligence.

India denied the allegations, which chilled ties between the two nations, and saw each expelling a string of diplomats in 2024.

Relations improved after Prime Minister Mark Carney took office last year, culminating with an India visit in March to sign a string of trade deals, and as Canadian authorities downplayed their previous threat assessment.

Khalistan campaign 

Like Nijjar, Singh, 44, is part of a fringe group advocating for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.

The Khalistan campaign dates to India&#39;s 1947 independence and has been blamed for the assassination of a prime minister and the bombing of a passenger jet.

It has been a bitter issue between India and several Western nations with large Sikh populations.

In their letter, the experts said they were concerned that the threats against Singh &quot;fall within a broader pattern of transnational repression by Indian authorities against Sikh activists in different countries, including Canada&quot;.

Singh told AFP the letter was &quot;a stark reminder of how far the Indian state is willing to go to silence Sikh voices advocating for self-determination&quot;.

&quot;When a foreign state feels empowered to commit violence in Canada to silence dissent, it signals a profound failure to protect the rights and safety of targeted communities,&quot; he said.

&quot;I refuse to be intimidated into silence. My leadership and advocacy for Khalistan are rooted in international law, human rights principles, and most importantly the lived experiences of my community,&quot; Singh added.]]>
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			<title>US sanctions Dubai crypto exchange for aiding Iran's IRGC, following a Reuters report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622670/us-sanctions-dubai-crypto-exchange-for-aiding-irans-irgc-following-a-reuters-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622670/us-sanctions-dubai-crypto-exchange-for-aiding-irans-irgc-following-a-reuters-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 26 19:31:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category><category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622670</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US Treasury sanctions Aban Tether for processing millions of dollars of transactions for sanctioned Iranian entities]]>
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				<![CDATA[The United States on Friday sanctioned an unlicensed multi-state cryptocurrency exchange, alleging it processed millions of dollars of crypto for Iran&rsquo;s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other groups linked ​to the Iranian state.

The designation follows a Reuters investigation published on July 31 that identified the Dubai-based &zwnj;exchange, Shelbit, as the hub of a $4 billion Iranian sanctions evasion scheme. The investigation found that Shelbit moved crypto on behalf of Iran&rsquo;s central bank, one of the world&rsquo;s largest illegal online gambling networks, and to addresses linked by the Israeli government to the IRGC.

The ​US Treasury also sanctioned the expatriate Iranian who founded Shelbit and a network of other companies, Siavash ​Kayvanpour, for providing material support to the IRGC and Nobitex, Iran&rsquo;s biggest cryptocurrency exchange. The ⁠US sanctioned Nobitex on June 2 for enabling the Iranian government to circumvent Western sanctions, also after a Reuters investigation.

&ldquo;Treasury will ​hunt down and dismantle the illicit financial networks that keep the regime afloat,&rdquo; Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent ​said in a statement.

Also on Friday, the US Treasury announced it had sanctioned Aban Tether, an Iran-based crypto exchange, for processing millions of dollars of transactions for sanctioned Iranian entities including Nobitex.

Shelbit&rsquo;s website had been down for months, with no way for customers to carry ​out transactions, but the exchange continued to process money, even during the US and Israeli war against Iran. The ​site reactivated the day after the Reuters investigation was published.

&ldquo;Shelbit LLC categorically rejects any suggestion that the company knowingly participated in &zwnj;money laundering, ⁠terrorist financing, illegal gambling activity, sanctions evasion, or activity on behalf of any sanctioned, military, or governmental organisation,&rdquo; Shelbit said in a statement on its reactivated website on August 1. Shelbit also said it had ceased operations in January 2026.

Shelbit and Kayvanpour did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tens of millions of dollars of the crypto that ​passed through Shelbit came from ​a suspected Iranian bitcoin ⁠mining operation, which mints new digital coins. Many millions of dollars more were linked to the illegal gambling network operated by two high-profile Iranian social media influencers, Reuters reported.

&ldquo;The ​Iranian regime&rsquo;s willingness to allow this gambling network to operate highlights its hypocrisy and ​corruption,&rdquo; Treasury said ⁠in the statement published on its website.

The OFAC designation comes soon after Dubai&rsquo;s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, or VARA, issued a notice saying Shelbit violated money-laundering and terrorism financing laws.

&ldquo;The exposure identified by VARA extends beyond consumer protection ⁠to ​more egregious cross-border transactions with the propensity to impact the integrity of ​the UAE financial system,&rdquo; VARA said in a notice on its website on July 24, shortly after Reuters approached the authority for comment.

VARA did ​not respond to a request for comment.]]>
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			<title>Modi regime responsible for IIOJK terrorism; Kulgam attack a staged drama: ex-CM Farooq Abdullah</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621861/modi-regime-responsible-for-iiojk-terrorism-kulgam-attack-a-staged-drama-ex-cm-farooq-abdullah</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621861/modi-regime-responsible-for-iiojk-terrorism-kulgam-attack-a-staged-drama-ex-cm-farooq-abdullah#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 26 15:51:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2621861</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Questions why violent incidents occur when the demand for the restoration of Kashmir’s statehood gains momentum]]>
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				<![CDATA[In a scathing critique of the Indian government, former&nbsp;Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday held the Modi regime directly responsible for the ongoing terrorism and security failures in the region following the killing of innocent labourers in Kulgam.

In an interview reported by Indian media, Abdullah rejected attempts by Indian media and officials to link the Kulgam incident to Pakistan, delivering a major blow to the Modi administration&rsquo;s security narrative.

Questioning the Indian government&rsquo;s claims of normalcy, Abdullah asked, &ldquo;If terrorism has ended, who killed these labourers? And if the entire border is strictly controlled, where are these killers coming from?&rdquo;



President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Farooq Abdullah blames Modi government for deteriorating security in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, rejects attempts to link Pakistan to the Kulgam attack, calls the killings part of a deep conspiracy and demands a&hellip; pic.twitter.com/IGqfuYCVJQ
&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) August 3, 2026


He highlighted the suspicious timing of such events, questioning why mysterious and violent incidents always occur whenever the demand for the restoration of Kashmir&rsquo;s special identity and statehood gains momentum.

Abdullah described the attack on labourers in Kulgam, occurring immediately after vigorous protests for statehood at Jantar Mantar, as a deep-rooted conspiracy.

Demanding a genuine, honest, and unbiased investigation into the Kulgam killings rather than a biased cover-up, National Conference ministers further admitted that Indian intelligence agencies themselves engineer such staged dramas precisely to obstruct the restoration of statehood.

READ: Indian govt planning false flag operation using Pakistani prisoners: sources

Abdullah slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that it is ruining Kashmir solely for its own political interests and asked why statehood is still denied if conditions are truly normal.

Joining the calls for sanity, Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq emphasised the urgent need for dialogue and negotiations to bring lasting peace to the region.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress party also rejected the BJP&rsquo;s rhetoric, refusing to endorse the narrative of a &ldquo;foreign hand&rdquo; behind the Kulgam incident.

Political experts have termed the Kulgam attack a continuation of New Delhi&rsquo;s fabricated security dramas, asserting that the Modi regime is intentionally spilling blood in IIOJK to divert public attention away from its worsening internal political and economic crises, as well as mounting public protests against the BJP.

Experts emphasised that levelling baseless allegations against Pakistan without evidence remains India&rsquo;s traditional tactic to cover up its severe intelligence failures.

They noted that during recent protests at Jantar Mantar, even the Indian public slammed the Modi government for reflexively blaming Pakistan for every failure.

Despite relentless efforts by the Indian &ldquo;Godi media&rdquo;, the Indian public itself is increasingly refusing to buy the narrative of Pakistani interference in IIOJK.

Political analysts have noted that New Delhi is artificially generating continuous crises in occupied Kashmir to maintain direct control over the territory and to construct a false justification for keeping a force of one million troops deployed in the region.]]>
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			<title>India confirms 16 nationals killed in Mideast since Iran war began</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621191/india-confirms-16-nationals-killed-in-mideast-since-iran-war-began</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2621191/india-confirms-16-nationals-killed-in-mideast-since-iran-war-began#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 26 19:16:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2621191</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Twelve Indian nationals died in an unrelated accident at the Ras Laffan gas facility]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[India confirmed on Thursday that 16 nationals have died in the Middle East since the US-Iran war began in late February.

&ldquo;Since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East in 2026, 16 Indian nationals, including 10 seafarers, have lost their lives,&rdquo; the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

It said 75 Indians were injured, with the highest, 32, in the United Arab Emirates.

The ministry also said in a separate accident &ldquo;not related to attacks&rdquo;, 12 Indian nationals were killed at the Ras Laffan gas facility in Qatar.

Read More: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, 12 other countries announce multinational maritime defence coalition

The US and Israel initiated the war and launched nearly 900 coordinated airstrikes across Iran, targeting government buildings, military sites, missile infrastructure and air defences.

More than 3,300 people were killed in Iran, while tens of thousands have been displaced inside the country. At least 12 US personnel were killed, while dozens were wounded.

The war has also affected citizens from several Asian and regional countries.]]>
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			<title>Timeline: Two decades of mass protests in India</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619854/timeline-two-decades-of-mass-protests-in-india</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619854/timeline-two-decades-of-mass-protests-in-india#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 26 16:05:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619854</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The major rallies have been triggered by graft and other crimes and causes]]>
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				<![CDATA[Thousands of supporters of India&#39;s youth-led &quot;cockroach&quot; movement have been protesting since June, demanding the education minister resign over exam paper leaks, in the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his third term.

Activists say the leaks showed widespread corruption, a complaint which has brought crowds onto the streets for years.

The following are details of major rallies, triggered by graft and other crimes and causes, over the past two decades.

April 2011

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare started the first of two hunger strikes in a bid to push the government to bring in anti-graft legislation.

Hundreds of thousands rallied to his support across the country and he was briefly jailed by the then-Congress alliance government.

India&#39;s parliament eventually passed an anti-graft law, though Hazare said it watered down his demands.

Some of his supporters went on to form the Aam Aadmi Party in 2012, now one of Modi&#39;s opponents in parliament.

December 2012

Public fury over the gang-rape of a young woman on a moving bus in New Delhi erupted into mass protests in the capital.

Crowds blockaded roads, broke through police lines in street confrontations and called for an overhaul of a system and a society they said had failed to tackle violence against women.

Many demanded that the culprits be executed.

Read More: What&#39;s behind India&#39;s &#39;cockroach&#39; youth protests?

The 23-year-old woman died in a Singapore hospital a few days after the attack. In response, India amended laws to expand the definition of sexual assault and set up fast-track courts to speed up trials in such cases.

December 2019

India&#39;s parliament passed a new citizenship law that brought hundreds of thousands of people to the streets in protests and triggered bouts of sectarian violence that killed at least 76 people.

The Citizenship Amendment Act aimed to fast-track citizenship for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014, from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Critics said the law, alongside a proposed national register of citizens, discriminated against Muslims and violated the spirit of India&#39;s secular constitution.

Some feared the government would remove the citizenship of Muslims without documents in some border states.

India implemented the law in March 2024.

September 2020

Thousands of farmers blocked roads and railway tracks in protests against new legislation that they said could pave the way for the government to stop buying grain at guaranteed prices, leaving them at the mercy of private buyers.

Modi&#39;s government defended the bills, saying they would help rid India&#39;s vast agriculture sector of antiquated laws and allow farmers to sell to institutional buyers and big retailers.

The protests lasted more than a year before Modi repealed the laws.

June 2022

An overhaul of military recruitment, designed to bring in fitter, younger troops and reduce pension expenditure, triggered rail blockades and protests across the country.

Recruits, veterans and opposition leaders objected to the introduction of fixed four-year contracts, saying people would struggle to get other jobs once their service was over.

Modi&#39;s government refused to roll back the programme but offered instead to reserve 10% of state vacancies for those who had served for four years.

August 2024

Thousands of doctors took to the streets for months after the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a government hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata.

Protesters demanded safer workplaces, a crackdown on violence against women and a swift investigation into the attack.]]>
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			<title>What's behind India's 'cockroach' youth protests?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619654/whats-behind-indias-cockroach-youth-protests</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619654/whats-behind-indias-cockroach-youth-protests#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 26 14:08:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619654</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Opposition parties see protests as an opportunity to corner Modi over an issue that has ​massive public resonance]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Thousands of supporters of India&#39;s youth-led &quot;cockroach&quot; movement have been camping in the capital, New Delhi, to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in the biggest public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his third ​term.

Here is a look at what sparked the protests and the situation now.

Why do protesters want Pradhan to quit?

The immediate trigger for the demonstrations was the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India&#39;s undergraduate medical school entrance exam, after its question papers were found to have been leaked.

About two&nbsp;million students across India took the exam on May 3, but it was later scrapped, ​with about a dozen student suicides linked to its cancellation.

A re-test was held in June.

Why is NEET important?

The exam ​is the sole gateway to undergraduate medical courses across India, and millions of aspirants sit for ⁠it every year, competing for fewer than 150,000 seats, making it one of India&#39;s toughest entrance exams.

The situation is also symptomatic ​of broader strains on the country&#39;s higher education system, where grossly limited spots leave millions cramming for months, or even years, ​and high-stakes entrance exams leave many of them burnt out and in debt.

Have test papers been leaked before?

Exam question paper leaks are fairly common in India, and the NEET questions themselves were similarly leaked in some places in 2024, although a re-test was not ordered at the time.

Other examination ​papers have also been leaked in the South Asian nation of 1.4 billion people, including those for the recruitment of police constables ​and teachers.

Why is this leak different?

The exam leak this year coincided with the birth of the self-named Cockroach Janta Party satire movement, which appears &zwnj;to have ⁠channelled the frustration of the youth into the current protests.

Experts say the group, which amassed millions of Instagram followers within days of being created in mid-May, tapped into the concerns of under-30s, who make up more than half the country&#39;s population, including high youth unemployment and the latest exam paper leak.

How has the government responded?

Pradhan says the government is committed to addressing the concerns ​of the youth and promised exam ​reforms, while Modi himself ⁠has vowed to punish those behind the leaks.

Health Minister J.P. Nadda met the protesters on Monday and sought time to discuss their demands, which also include the release of fasting activist Sonam Wangchuk, ​who was taken to the hospital last week, and compensation of 10 million rupees ($104,000) each for the students ​who died by ⁠suicide after the exam leak.

What is the situation now?

Two days after tens of thousands of protesters attempting to march on parliament were met with tear gas and baton charges, thousands remain camped at the sit-in protest site in New Delhi, where the movement&#39;s leaders say they ⁠will remain ​until their demands are met.

Opposition groups, including the main opposition Congress party, have ​also vowed to raise their cause in and outside parliament, seeing it as a new opportunity to corner Modi and his party over an issue that has ​massive resonance and impacts Modi&#39;s youth vote base.]]>
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