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A statement from the UK Ministry of Defence has shed light on the UK’s involvement in the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker by the US Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean. According to the statement, the UK provided assistance to the US upon request, as the latter sought to seize the vessel in accordance with international law. The US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, stated that any transfer of oil to Venezuela, which is under US sanctions, would be prohibited under international law.
The UK Ministry of Defence further stated that the defence relationship between the US and the UK is among the strongest in the world. This comes as the US has seized a Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, prompting a strong reaction from Russia, which has accused the US of maritime piracy. Russia has called for the safe passage of the Russian crew and their return to Russia.
This development comes as tensions between the US and Russia continue to escalate. The US has imposed sanctions on several Russian individuals and entities, while Russia has retaliated by expelling US diplomats and imposing restrictions on US media outlets.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemned US statements on the situation, saying that they are an attempt to incite violence and chaos. The ministry also accused the US of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs.
In a separate development, the Chinese Special Envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Jun, has visited Israel and the Palestinian city of Ramallah. The visit is seen as an attempt to promote peace in the region.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it has released its citizens who were being held in the US. The US President, Donald Trump, has announced that he is cancelling plans for a second military operation against Venezuela.
In other news, the interim government of Bangladesh has suspended visa services at its embassy in India due to security concerns. The move is seen as a response to India’s decision to suspend visa services at its embassy in Bangladesh.
The US President has also announced plans to invest at least $100 billion in Venezuela’s oil industry, with the involvement of major oil companies. The move is seen as a bid to increase US influence in the region.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has released a statement condemning US statements on the situation, saying that they are an attempt to incite violence and chaos. The ministry also accused the US of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs.
In a separate development, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has partnered with his friend and film producer, Anand Pandit, to develop a large residential and commercial project in the Indian state of Gujarat. The project, which is being developed in collaboration with the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) Authority, marks Bachchan’s entry into the real estate development sector.
In other news, the Bureau of Immigration has released data showing that over 1 million Pakistanis migrated abroad in search of employment in 2025. The data shows that the number of Pakistanis migrating abroad has increased significantly in recent years, with over 500,000 individuals leaving the country in 2023.
