Location · 1541 published stories · 192 outlets · All places
US President Donald Trump insists Israel did not influence his decision to go to war with Iran, citing the October 7 attacks and his long-standing view on Iranian nuclear weapons. The denial comes amid public disapproval, rising energy costs, and legal debates over the conflict's legitimacy.
The Trump administration has launched a refund system for importers who paid tariffs later struck down by the Supreme Court. Over 330,000 businesses may claim refunds totaling more than $166 billion, with payments expected within 60-90 days. Consumers may not see direct benefits unless companies pass on the refunds.
Pakistan has increased its Eurobond issuance from $500 million to $750 million, citing strong investor demand and growing foreign exchange needs. The government has also invited bids from international consortiums for future capital market transactions, signaling a structured approach to external funding.
US Vice President JD Vance was reported to be heading to Pakistan for talks with Iran, but conflicting reports emerged about the trip's status. Iran has yet to confirm participation in the second round of negotiations, and the White House has indicated the visit may be postponed.
Iran has accused the US of violating a ceasefire after American naval forces seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran condemned the operation as 'armed piracy' and vowed retaliation, while Washington said the ship was attempting to breach a blockade. The incident threatens to upend ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iranian officials say Pakistan is the only official mediator in US-Iran talks following April negotiations in Islamabad. Finnish President Alexander Stubb suggested Washington prefers regional mediators over Europeans, while efforts to resolve the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz continue against a backdrop of a shifting ceasefire.
Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali stated that the US proposed via mediators that Iran develop a new negotiation plan after Tehran rejected an American 15-point proposal. Iranian officials say they have prepared responses to Washington's proposals, while a US official characterized Iran's revised plan as a workable basis for talks.
Pakistan's benchmark KSE-100 index plunged by more than 3,000 points during intraday trading on Monday, driven by uncertainty over a second round of US-Iran talks and Middle East tensions. Reports from Dawn cite declines ranging from 1,742 to 3,145 points, with the index closing at 172,196.70 after hitting an intraday low of 169,226.56.
Mixed signals from Tehran and new tensions between US and Iranian officials have cast doubt over a second round of direct negotiations in Islamabad. Iran says it has yet to decide whether to attend, while US officials have announced a delegation is headed to Pakistan, creating a fraught atmosphere around the fragile ceasefire.
As the two-week US-Iran ceasefire approaches its expiry, Iran's state media indicates Tehran has no plans to attend a second round of talks in Pakistan. The US has seized an Iranian cargo ship, which Iran calls 'piracy,' and energy prices spiked after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with the US Charge d'Affaires and Iran's ambassador in Islamabad to finalize security arrangements for a possible second round of US-Iran talks. The first round, hosted by Pakistan, ended without an agreement, and Washington has announced its delegation's return. Tehran has yet to confirm its participation.
Sources report the U.S. offered a 20-year halt to Iran's uranium enrichment during Islamabad talks; Iran proposed shorter terms. Negotiations failed to produce agreement, and a source says Iran will never stop enrichment, contradicting a Trump statement.
South Korean stocks closed higher in recent sessions despite ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, as investors shifted focus to corporate earnings. The KOSPI reached a record high on Tuesday, driven by anticipation of U.S. tech earnings, while analysts noted the market's growing resilience to geopolitical noise.
Iran is demanding the United States significantly ease sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen assets amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations, according to multiple reports. The details of the demands remain under-reported, highlighting the fragility of the talks.
Twelve Muslim-majority countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, have jointly condemned Israel's decision to appoint a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The joint statement, issued Saturday, warns the move could set a dangerous precedent and destabilize the Horn of Africa. Israel appointed Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to the breakaway region, a step that has drawn regional and international reactions.
Somaliland's government has pushed back against a joint statement by Arab and Muslim states condemning Israel's decision to send a diplomatic envoy, reaffirming its sovereignty and dismissing criticisms as unfounded. The response underscores the region's ongoing dispute with Somalia over its independence claims.
Oil prices have surged amid stalled peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining largely closed. Conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran, including the cancellation of planned talks and the seizure of an Iranian vessel, have kept markets volatile.
Islamabad has implemented extensive security measures, closing the Red Zone to traffic and suspending public transport, as the capital prepares for the possible arrival of foreign delegations for a second round of US-Iran talks. Over 10,000 police and security personnel have been deployed, with additional forces requested from Punjab, while authorities have also moved to clear illegal cabins and shut down hotels and guest houses.
Iran has signaled it will not resume direct talks with the United States until Washington lifts its naval blockade, according to Iranian media reports. The decision follows ongoing indirect contacts via Pakistani mediators and comes amid a fragile ceasefire."
As day 41 of the Middle East war closes, Iran threatens retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon amid confusion over the ceasefire's scope. The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is drawing international criticism, while talks between Israel and Lebanon begin in Washington.