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  President Donald Trump has once again warned Iran that the United States will "knock out every single power plant and every single bridge" in the country if Tehran does not accept a U.S.-proposed deal during upcoming negotiations in Pakistan. In a social media post on Sunday, Trump stated that U.S. negotiators will travel to Islamabad on Monday for a new round of talks with Iranian representatives. He described the American offer as "very fair and reasonable" and expressed hope that Iran would accept it.d95bde "If they don't, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant and every single Bridge, in Iran! NO MORE MR NICE GUY!" Trump wrote. The latest warning comes amid ongoing efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began earlier this year, and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—a critical waterway for global oil shipments that Iran has partially blocked or disrupted. Trump has repeatedly tied any lasting c...

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced alternative shipping routes through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, warning vessels of potential sea mines in the main navigation channels. The move comes one day after a two-week ceasefire agreement with the United States that was intended to allow temporary reopening of the waterway.ed45a1 In a statement quoted by Iranian media and reported by international outlets including Reuters, AFP, and Xinhua, the IRGC advised all ships transiting the strait to follow designated alternative entry and exit paths “to comply with the principles of maritime safety and to be protected from possible collisions with sea mines.” The advisory specifically instructs vessels to use revised corridors, with inbound traffic from the Gulf of Oman directed north of Larak Island before entering the Persian Gulf, and outbound traffic routed differently to avoid the primary lanes. Ships have also been urged to coordinate closely with t...

 Iran announced on Wednesday it would guarantee safe passage for maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, conditional on a halt to attacks against it, as part of a fragile ceasefire with the United States brokered with Pakistani assistance.  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X (formerly Twitter) that if attacks on Iran cease, its armed forces would stop defensive operations. “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” he posted. The move follows a statement from US President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening, in which he agreed to suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks. Trump’s announcement was conditional on Iran allowing the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING” of the Strait of Hormuz, following requests from Pakistani leaders. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint be...

 In a dramatic 11th-hour intervention, Pakistan brokered a temporary de-escalation in the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, helping avert what President Donald Trump had warned could be the destruction of an entire civilization. On Tuesday, as Trump's self-imposed 8 p.m. ET deadline loomed—accompanied by his stark warning that "a whole civilization will die tonight" if Iran did not comply—Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed publicly for a two-week extension to allow diplomacy to advance. Sharif also urged Iran to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture during that period.48b500 Hours later, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had agreed to suspend US (and Israeli) bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks, conditional on Iran providing "COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING" of the Strait of Hormuz. The White House confirmed it was aware of Pakistan's proposal, and reports indicate Iran accepted the truce terms, framing i...

  Crude oil prices climbed sharply on Thursday, with Brent crude hitting $108 per barrel, after Iran dismissed a U.S.-proposed 15-point plan to end the ongoing war in the Middle East as "one-sided, unfair, and skewed" in favor of American and Israeli interests. The surge marks a reversal from earlier in the week, when prices had dipped on hopes of de-escalation following reports of indirect U.S.-Iran communications. However, Tehran's firm rejection renewed concerns over prolonged disruptions to global energy supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked or threatened to toll as part of its wartime strategy. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the U.S. proposal—conveyed via Pakistan—lacks the "minimum requirements for success" and primarily serves Washington and Tel Aviv. The plan reportedly demands that Iran dismantle its nuclear program, curb its missile capabilities, abandon support for regional proxies, and re...

  Iran's ambassador to Pakistan has firmly denied that any negotiations — direct or indirect — have taken place between Tehran and Washington, directly contradicting recent statements by US President Donald Trump. “We have also heard such details through the media, but according to my information — and contrary to Trump’s claims — so far no negotiations, direct or indirect, have taken place between the two countries,” Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said on Wednesday. He added that it was “natural that friendly countries are always engaged in consultations with both sides to end this illegitimate aggression,” referring to the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran. The envoy’s remarks come as Trump has repeatedly claimed that talks to end the conflict are actively underway. On Tuesday, the US president told reporters at the White House that negotiations were happening “right now,” naming Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, ...

  In a sharp escalation of the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, Tehran has warned it will target critical energy, water, and IT infrastructure across the Middle East—including U.S. and Israeli assets—if President Donald Trump carries out his threat to destroy Iran's power plants. The exchange began late Saturday when Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Truth Social, demanding Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments—without threats to shipping. Failure to comply, he stated, would prompt the U.S. to "hit and obliterate" Iran's various power plants, "starting with the biggest one first." Iran responded swiftly on Sunday through multiple channels, including its Revolutionary Guards, military spokespersons, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Officials declared that any attack on Iranian energy or fuel infrastructure would make equivalent facilities in the region—such as e...

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Israel's military operations across the Middle East, asserting that the strikes on Gaza, followed by Yemen, Lebanon, and most recently Iran, are driven by more than just security concerns. Speaking on Tuesday at an iftar event at the presidential complex in Ankara, Erdogan described Israel's leadership as influenced by “a network that has gained power and sees itself as superior to others,” which he said is “gradually dragging the region toward a disaster.” “We all know that the attacks targeting Gaza first, then Yemen and Lebanon, and most recently Iran, are not solely motivated by security concerns,” Erdogan stated. He added that it is “no coincidence” that these actions coincide with the promotion of “absurd notions” such as the “delusion of ‘promised lands’” and apocalyptic scenarios. The remarks come amid an escalation that began with prolonged Israeli operations in Gaza since October 2023, followed by actions...

  Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump expressed surprise and disappointment at the UK's position, describing it as "terrible" and accusing the long-standing ally of dragging its feet.9ade41791892 "I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because the United Kingdom, two weeks ago, I said, 'Why don't you send some ships over?' And he really didn’t want to do it," Trump said. "You’re our oldest ally and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all of these things to protect you... We don’t need to work with them in Ukraine, and then they tell us that we have a mine ship around and they don’t want to do it. I think it’s terrible."a09052 Trump added that the UK "should be involved enthusiastically" in protecting the vital shipping channel, which Iran has effectively closed in response to US-Israeli strikes, causing oil prices to surge. He suggested Starmer offered support only "right after the war essentially ended" and re...

 Iran unleashed a fresh wave of strikes on energy infrastructure across Gulf nations early Thursday, torching fuel storage facilities, hitting tankers, and intensifying disruptions in the Persian Gulf. The attacks pushed global oil prices surging once more, with Brent crude briefly topping $100 per barrel amid fears of prolonged supply shortages. Iranian forces, responding to ongoing US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, targeted key sites in several Gulf states. In Bahrain, a major fire erupted at fuel tanks near Muharraq (close to the international airport), blanketing the area in thick smoke and prompting health warnings for residents to seal windows. Bahraini authorities released footage showing the blaze raging at a storage facility. In Oman, emergency crews battled lingering flames at fuel tanks in the port of Salalah following earlier drone strikes, while officials ordered precautionary evacuations at a key oil export terminal. Reports also emerged of attacks on sh...

 Iran's Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has confirmed that the national football team will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This decision comes amid the escalating conflict involving U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which reportedly resulted in the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In statements to Iranian state television on March 11, 2026, Donyamali emphasized security concerns and the impossibility of participation under current conditions. Key quotes from his remarks include: "Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup." "Our players do not have security, and fundamentally the conditions for participation do not exist." "Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran — they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our peop...

 Escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran is set to create fresh credit risks for emerging market sovereigns, with energy-importing nations facing the biggest threat from higher oil prices, disrupted remittances and tighter global financing conditions, Fitch Ratings has warned. In a report titled “Iran Conflict Raises New Credit Risks for Emerging Market Sovereigns,” released on March 6, the global credit rating agency said the crisis — triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliation — could ripple far beyond the Middle East.06a98c “Oil and gas imports are the most direct channel for contagion from the conflict,” Fitch stated, noting that net fossil-fuel imports already equal 3% or more of GDP in several large emerging economies, including India, Egypt, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Chile, Morocco and Ukraine. Countries with stretched public finances or large current-account deficits — such as Pakistan and Ukrai...

  In a dramatic turn amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called on Australia to grant asylum to members of Iran's women's national soccer team, warning that forcing them to return home could put their lives at risk. The plea came shortly before Australian authorities confirmed humanitarian visas for five players, allowing them to remain in the country safely. The incident unfolded during the Women's Asian Cup tournament hosted in Australia, where the Iranian team—competing as visitors—faced immediate backlash at home after several players stood silently and did not sing the national anthem before their opening match. This act of apparent protest drew sharp criticism from Iranian hard-liners and state media, who branded some players as "traitors" amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel military actions against Iran. Fears grew that returning players could face severe punishment, including imprisonment or worse, given the charged p...

 British counter-terrorism police have arrested four men on suspicion of assisting Iran's intelligence services by conducting surveillance on locations and individuals linked to the Jewish community in the London area. The Metropolitan Police announced the arrests, which took place shortly after 1 a.m. on Friday in a pre-planned operation. The suspects—one Iranian national and three dual British-Iranian nationals, aged 22, 40, 52, and 55—were detained at addresses in Barnet and Watford (north London and nearby Hertfordshire), with additional activity reported in Harrow. The men were arrested under Section 3 of the UK's National Security Act 2023 for offenses related to assisting a foreign intelligence service, with the investigation explicitly linked to Iran. Authorities described the case as part of a long-running counter-terrorism probe, with indications that the alleged activities predated recent escalations involving U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran. Police emphasized ...

  Iran has categorically dismissed U.S. allegations regarding its ballistic missile program and nuclear activities, labeling them "big lies," just hours after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of pursuing "sinister nuclear ambitions" during his State of the Union address. In his Tuesday night speech to Congress, Trump warned that Iran is rebuilding its nuclear program following U.S. and Israeli strikes last year that he claimed had "totally obliterated" key facilities. "We wiped it out, and they want to start all over again," Trump said. "They're at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions." He further alleged that Iran has developed missiles capable of threatening Europe and U.S. bases overseas, while actively working on longer-range systems that could "soon reach the United States of America." Trump reiterated his firm stance that Iran would never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons, framing the issue ...

 Iran's Foreign Ministry has issued a stark warning that any military action by the United States against the Islamic Republic, including so-called "limited strikes," would be treated as a full act of aggression and met with a fierce retaliatory response under the country's right to self-defense. The statement comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear program, as U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly indicated he is considering limited military strikes if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a meaningful agreement. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei addressed the issue during a press briefing in Tehran on Monday, dismissing the notion of a "limited" strike. "There is no limited strike," Baqaei said. "An act of aggression would be regarded as an act of aggression. Period. And any state would react to an act of aggression as part of its inherent right of self-defence ferociously, so that's...

 Local media, including the ILNA news agency, reported that First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref signed the resolution on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, implementing a cabinet-approved measure from late January. The directive mandates that Iran's traffic police provide training, conduct supervised exams, and issue licenses to female applicants who pass. For years, Iran's traffic laws—specifically Article 20 of the Law on Driving Offenses—referred exclusively to "men" when detailing motorcycle licensing, creating a de facto prohibition. This prevented women from securing insurance, facing fines for unlicensed riding, and accessing legal protections on the road. While women could own motorcycles and ride as passengers, independent operation remained restricted, often justified by conservative interpretations of modesty and hijab requirements. The change follows growing public defiance, with videos and reports in 2025 showing increasing numbers of women riding scooters an...

 Iranian officials said on January 12 that the country is prepared for war but remains open to dialogue with the United States, as President Donald Trump continues to warn of possible US intervention amid a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.   Speaking to foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran is “not looking for war,” but is ready for it if necessary, according to multiple media reports. His remarks came a day after Trump said he was weighing military options against Iran. Anti-government protests have entered their third week after soaring prices and the collapse of the Iranian rial triggered mass demonstrations in late December. Human rights groups say the unrest has spread across major cities and dozens of towns nationwide, marking the most significant challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership since 2022.   Norway-based group Iran Human Rights said it has confirmed at least 192 protester deaths since the demonstration...