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A BBC Verify analysis of satellite images and videos reveals that Iran has damaged at least 20 US military sites across eight Middle Eastern countries since the conflict began in February. The findings challenge official US assertions of Iranian military weakness, while President Trump claims US strikes have destroyed 55% of Iran's restored capabilities.
As Pakistan prepares its third federal budget, economists and analysts warn that macroeconomic stability has not translated into improved living standards. With industries operating below capacity and investment stalled, questions mount over the sustainability of the IMF-led policy framework.
A senior Pakistani general told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Pakistan’s response to India’s air strikes in May 2025 proved there is no room for conventional war in South Asia. The general also highlighted the creation of a new rocket force and the need for international norms on emerging military technologies.
Iran's top negotiator says Tehran does not trust US guarantees, as reports emerge President Trump sent back a tougher peace proposal. Multiple outlets report a fragile ceasefire since April, with Pakistan mediating and disputes over nuclear material and frozen assets unresolved.
India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced at the Shangri-La Dialogue that a deal to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam has been signed, with a similar agreement with Indonesia in its final stages. The Philippines remains the first foreign buyer of the system, and the Vietnam deal is estimated at around $629 million.
Reports on US-Iran negotiations present conflicting pictures: some sources indicate a possible agreement to extend a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while others highlight ongoing disagreements and skepticism from Tehran. The deal, if reached, would be a memorandum of understanding, with final approval pending from President Trump.
At the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a keynote address that was notably less confrontational toward China than last year's, reflecting the recent Xi-Trump summit's impact. Regional concerns over Taiwan, the Iran war, and a deteriorating security environment dominated discussions, with China's delegation warning against 'hegemonism' and 'bloc confrontation'.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president MNA Junaid Akbar, were expelled from Gilgit-Baltistan while campaigning for upcoming elections. The PTI alleged arrests, but the GB government said no arrests occurred and cited violations of the election code of conduct. The incident has drawn reactions from PTI leaders and raised tensions ahead of the June 7 polls.
Reports indicate that the draft agreement between Iran and the United States has not been finalized and has undergone changes in recent days. While some sources suggest the two countries are close to a deal, others point to continued disagreements and ongoing indirect contacts.
Oil prices fell sharply on Friday and Monday amid growing investor optimism that the US and Iran may reach a ceasefire extension, potentially easing tensions that have disrupted global energy markets. Brent crude dropped below $100 a barrel for the first time in weeks, though analysts caution that a full recovery of oil flows could take months.
President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned National Assembly and Senate sessions for June 5, but the federal budget for FY2026-27 is likely to be presented later, possibly on June 10 or 12, amid negotiations over provincial shares and strategic needs. The budget includes new tax measures and a record Rs3.684 trillion in supplementary grants.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, where they discussed bilateral relations and Pakistan's mediation efforts between the US and Iran. The meeting comes as reports indicate progress in extending the fragile US-Iran ceasefire, though the deal awaits President Trump's approval.
US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that key issues in US-Iran nuclear talks, including the enriched uranium stockpile and enrichment, remain unresolved, while expressing confidence that a deal is close. The US and Iran continue negotiations amid differing timelines and positions, with Vance stating the US will pursue a deal regardless of Israel's stance.
US and Iranian negotiators have agreed on a framework to extend the ceasefire for 60 days and launch talks on Iran's nuclear program, but the deal still awaits approval from President Donald Trump and Iran's leadership. The proposed agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing the naval blockade, amid ongoing skirmishes between the two sides.
US inflation reached a three-year high of 4.2% in May, driven by soaring energy prices linked to the US-Israel war against Iran. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, while political tensions over economic policy intensified. Consumer sentiment improved slightly as gas prices eased, though households remain pessimistic.
President Donald Trump threatened to use military force against Oman if it collaborates with Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz. The threat, made during a cabinet meeting, followed reports of talks between Oman and Iran over joint management of the strategic waterway. The US Treasury separately warned of sanctions against Oman if it facilitates tolls in the strait.
Oil prices rose on Thursday while Asian stocks mostly fell as fresh US strikes on Iran tested a shaky ceasefire. Brent crude climbed to $95.95 a barrel, while Iran's state media reported it fired at ships in the Strait of Hormuz and Kuwait said its air defenses responded to attacks.
A satirical political movement born from a judge's slur against unemployed Indian youth has amassed tens of millions of followers. The Cockroach Janta Party uses memes and AI-generated content to channel Gen Z frustration, while also putting forward policy demands and facing online resistance.
Israel carried out more than 120 airstrikes on Lebanon on Tuesday, one of the heaviest bombardments in weeks, straining a US-brokered ceasefire and drawing Iranian accusations of US truce violations. The strikes killed at least 31 people, including 14 in the town of Burj al-Shamali, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a deepening of military operations.
Russia's FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov has warned that ISIS-K is actively recruiting citizens from Central Asian countries and migrant workers in Russia to build clandestine terrorist networks across the region. He also claimed that British intelligence is supporting the group in its efforts to destabilize Afghanistan and influence Central Asia.