The United States has made it clear that Iran will have to open the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, and the country will no longer be able to build warships. US President Donald Trump stated this in a speech, emphasizing that the US is working to eliminate the threat posed by the Iranian regime. Trump further added that negotiations with Iran are ongoing, and a deal is expected to be reached soon.
In a bold statement, Trump revealed that if Iran had possessed nuclear capabilities, it could have used them against Israel and other countries in the Middle East. He claimed that Iran’s nuclear ambitions were a major threat to regional stability and security. Trump also accused Iran of launching missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait.
However, opposition to Trump’s policies is growing. Abraham Zulfiqar, a critic of US aggression, stated that the outcome of US military action will be humiliating for American soldiers. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of prioritizing security and cooperation among all stakeholders.
In a shocking turn of events, Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that they will target two American or Israeli universities in the region. The Iranian media claimed that a residential area was hit by a US or Israeli air raid, resulting in civilian casualties. A senior Iranian official warned that the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln will be targeted if it enters Iranian missile range.
According to UAE’s Ministry of Defense, at least eight civilians have been killed and 178 injured in the attacks, including four Pakistanis. The Qatar-based Al-Araby TV channel reported that an Israeli missile hit their office building in Tehran.
Meanwhile, a 22-year-old Israeli soldier was killed in a rocket attack in the Golan Heights. The Israeli military confirmed that the soldier was a member of the 890th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade. Rescue teams reported that a hotel was also affected by the fire.
US officials have reportedly been preparing for possible ground operations in Iran for several weeks. In a separate incident, a car rammed into a crowd in the southern Gaza Strip, injuring several people.
Pakistan has also been affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The government has begun to consider repatriating Pakistani citizens who have lost their jobs or have been forced to flee due to the conflict. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the crisis.
In other news, the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been criticized for failing to form a cabinet after six months in office.
