Pakistan
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Jemima Goldsmith urges for Imran Khan’s release
Jemima Goldsmith has called for the release of Imran Khan, citing serious concerns over his health and treatment in solitary…
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Will Justice Shah make it to chief justice post?
The federal government is treading a fine line as it navigates a dual policy regarding the proposed constitutional amendment concerning…
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SCO summit: Shehbaz pushes for regional unity and economic growth to combat poverty
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his opening address for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad has urged for regional cooperation…
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Tehran has issued a stern warning to Gulf Arab states, declaring it “unacceptable” for any of them to allow the use of their airspace or military bases for attacks against Iran. A senior Iranian official emphasised that such actions would prompt a strong response from Tehran, underlining the critical nature of the region’s neutrality amidst rising tensions with Israel. The warning comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf nations to discuss regional security. Iran’s message to Gulf states stresses the need for regional unity against Israel and highlights that any collaboration with Israel, including the use of airspace, would be seen as a hostile action. This development follows an Iranian missile attack last week, which has raised concerns of potential Israeli retaliation. Israel has been attacking Hezbollah and Iranian positions in Lebanon and Syria in recent weeks, and there are growing fears that the conflict could spill over into direct confrontations between Israel and Iran. Amid these tensions, US President Joe Biden is expected to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about possible military actions against Iran. Washington is reportedly keen to influence Israel’s response, particularly to avoid triggering a broader regional conflict. Biden previously stated that he would not support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites and has cautioned against attacks on Iranian oil facilities, which could spike global oil prices. The Iranian official noted that discussions with Gulf states have not yet touched on the issue of oil production, despite concerns that Israel could target Iranian oil facilities in a retaliatory strike. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), led by Saudi Arabia, has significant spare capacity that could offset any loss of Iranian oil supply. However, Tehran has warned that any intervention from countries supporting Israel could make their own interests in the region targets. Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran have seen a political rapprochement in recent years, easing some regional tensions. However, the 2019 attack on Saudi oil facilities, which briefly disrupted 5% of global oil supply, remains a fresh reminder of the volatility in the region. Iran was blamed for that attack, though it denied involvement. A Western diplomat in the Gulf noted that during last week’s meeting between Gulf states and Iran in Qatar, Tehran urged regional neutrality and emphasised that Gulf states’ neutrality was the “bare minimum” expected. The presence of US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE adds another layer of complexity, as Iran is closely monitoring how these bases might be used in the event of a conflict. Meanwhile, the escalating situation on Israel’s northern border has added further pressure. Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been exchanging fire, with casualties reported on both sides. Israel continues to bomb Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, and Netanyahu has warned of a “long war” similar to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. As President Biden prepares for talks with Netanyahu, the focus will likely be on preventing the conflict from escalating into a full-scale regional war, especially as the US leader has expressed reservations about attacks on Iran’s critical infrastructure. The outcome of these discussions could play a pivotal role in shaping the future course of the conflict.
Tehran has issued a stern warning to Gulf Arab states, declaring it “unacceptable” for any of them to allow the…
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks that were expected to cover efforts to end fighting between the Israeli military and Iran-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon. “I hope that these consultations can lead to better conditions for Palestine and Lebanon and establish peace in the region,” Araghchi told Iranian state television upon his arrival in Riyadh. Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on X that Araghchi’s visit would focus on stopping “the Israeli regime’s genocide & aggression” and aimed to “alleviate the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Lebanon”. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Araghchi met with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also met his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, to discuss “developments in the region”, SPA said, without providing details. Araghchi’s visit to Saudi Arabia comes as the region awaits Israel’s response to an Iranian missile attack on its territory last week. “Saudi will confirm that it will not allow any party to use its airspace to attack the other and will also agree to any call for a ceasefire in Lebanon or Gaza,” Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the government, told AFP. In Beirut on Friday, Araghchi said Tehran supports efforts for a “simultaneous” ceasefire in Lebanon and the Palestinian territory. The Islamic republic called Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel “a turning point in the history of the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people against Israel”. Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed relations in March 2023 under a surprise China-brokered deal following a seven-year rupture. Iran has repeatedly accused its arch-foe Israel of committing genocide and war crimes since the Gaza war began. Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter and custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, paused US-brokered talks on recognising Israel after the Gaza war broke out. Saudi officials said they wanted a pathway towards a Palestinian state as a condition of normalisation. But last month, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, toughened his tone, explicitly saying that an “independent Palestinian state” was necessary. Since the March 2023 Iranian-Saudi rapprochement was announced, the regional powers have intensified their contacts despite supporting different camps in several conflicts, most notably in Syria and Yemen. The two exchanged ambassadors and visits of foreign ministers before the late Ebrahim Raisi made the first visit by an Iranian president to the kingdom in 20 years to attend a joint Arab-Islamic summit to discuss the Gaza war last November. In August, Ali Bagheri, then Iran’s acting foreign minister, visited Jeddah for an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah. Araghchi assumed the post of Iranian foreign minister later in August.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks that were expected to cover efforts to…
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IHC halts PMDC from issuing MDCAT merit list
The Islamabad High Court has stopped the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) from issuing the final merit list. Judge…
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PTI requests adjournment of intra-party election case hearing
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to postpone the hearing of the intra-party election review…
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ANF seizes drugs worth Rs5.2 million, arrests six suspects
The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has recovered over Rs5.2 million worth of drugs, totalling 65 kilograms, in various operations. According to…
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Scattered showers likely as temperatures rise in Karachi
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted light rain with thunderstorms in Karachi’s outskirts today. According to the Early Warning…
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Saudi business delegation holds talks with Army Chief and President
Saudi Arabia’s high-level government and business delegation, led by Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army…
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