Iran Says Damage To Nuclear Sites From War With Israel "Serious"
Tehran:
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that damage to Iran's nuclear sites from the 12-day war with Israel was "serious", as the country begins assessing the conflict's impact.
"A detailed assessment of the damage is being carried out by experts from the Atomic Energy Organization (of Iran)," he told state television.
"Now, the discussion of demanding damages and the necessity of providing them has been placed as one of the important issues on the country's diplomatic agenda," he added.
"These damages are serious, and expert studies and political decision-making are underway at the same time."
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that air strikes that the United States launched against Iran's nuclear sites in support of ally Israel "obliterated" the facilities.
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Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Has there been a US policy shift on Myanmar in Trump 2.0?
The US's recent imposition of a complete travel ban affecting 12 countries, including Myanmar, among few other countries under partial ban, is becoming a contentious topic. Citing security concerns and high visa overstay rates, the travel ban itself is questionable, given that it imposed a travel ban on Myanmar where it was supporting the democratic forces, but not on Pakistan. This imposition of the travel ban has expanded its list which President Trump originally defined during his first term, but included Myanmar then as well. This article aims to explore whether the US policy is actually shifting sand or continuing to support the democratic forces in Myanmar. Time and again there has been a debate among scholars that the United States policy towards Myanmar, which involved sanctions and isolation of the military leaders and affiliated entities, has largely been ineffectual. The second term of the Trump administration has seemed to take cognisance of the same and there are conversations among the closed doors that may be US is re-considering its stand. US President Donald Trump (AFP) With a history of a reactive and punitive policy towards the Myanmar military regime which ruled the country for the majority of the years since independence, the US adopted the same approach post the 2021 military coup. While the US policy aimed to support the democratic forces by providing them aid/support, especially through the BURMA Act, it continued with the policy of isolating the military through targeted sanctions, to pressure the regime and hold it accountable. This policy has had the unintended consequence of pushing Myanmar further into China's sphere of influence, which continues to multiple stakeholders and ensure its pertinent presence in the country. Adding to this, a few others have claimed that the US might be planning a proxy war in Myanmar, to challenge the military leaders as well as restrict China's operations in the country. Though there is no hard evidence, only narratives around the recent developments in Bangladesh and reports of British and American missionaries entering Myanmar. Additionally, the evolving security concerns due to online scams and drug supply affecting US citizens has raised concerns among US policy makers to reconsider its policy towards Myanmar. Since coming to power for the second term, the Trump administration has deprioritised support for Myanmar's pro-democracy movement by terminating the funding for independent media, civil society, and refugee support on the Thai border. Even in the aftermath of the earthquake in March 2025, while the Trump administration announced that support of up to $2 million in humanitarian assistance was to be distributed through aid organisations. But it must be noted that during the same time, the US administration has done massive layoffs and cut in budgets of USAID, which thereby raised concerns about the implementation of such assistance. And the recent travel bans further questions the support to pro-democracy forces who are immigrating from a conflict-ridden State and the National Unity Government, which has even set up a representative office in Washington. UN's human rights chief, Volker Turk, said the ban "raises concerns from the perspective of international law." There are a few others who are now questioning whether the US is considering initiating talks with the military leaders in Myanmar. The rationale for such a move could be that while the US was isolating the military and SAC, this has driven them further closer into China's orbit. Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed 44% tariffs on Myanmar's already fragile economy, and exposed them to risk of excessive economic isolation. As a result of economic isolation, Myanmar leaders have been deepening their engagements with China and Russia, and seeking diplomatic support, financial support for various infrastructure projects and most importantly, arms deals. And Trump's ambition to be a peace breaker and his recent relations with Putin could just be a starting point where there could be the possibility of engagement between Trump and Min Hlaing. Furthermore, Myanmar's strategic location—bordering China, India, Bangladesh and Thailand, and a direct access to the Bay of Bengal—makes it a key arena for influence for the major powers. Additionally, the ongoing civil war and the resulting cross-border movement of drugs, arms, and refugees has direct implications for the security and stability of the region and more importantly of India's northeastern states. India, too, is wary of China's growing presence in Myanmar, which could bring Chinese strategic interests uncomfortably close to its borders. Given these overlapping challenges/issues, there are voices in Washington which are suggesting the US must work with regional partners, especially—India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Along with the need to provide humanitarian aid, the US can explore opportunities for regional dialogue and cooperation, aiming to include all stakeholders and provide the stage for inclusive elections, which the military is promising to conduct by the end of the year. Further, it might be a far possibility, but the US should think of options to conditionally engage with the military in exchange for concrete steps toward immediate cessation of violence, ensure dialogue and inclusive political processes and most importantly provide humanitarian aid. While there are uncertainties involved, and the prospects for a shift in US policy toward Myanmar lacks any conclusive evidence, the evolving regional dynamics and the risk of ceding the country entirely to Chinese influence, may eventually prompt Washington to reconsider its current approach. Additionally, the US must use all its sources to continue its support for the pro-democratic forces via providing aid, funding as well as engaging in dialogue to restore normalcy in the country. While many would argue that overthrowing the military regime and isolating will be the solution to the crisis, the real politic lies in engaging with the military as well as including the National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic armed organisations in the political process. The military has ruled the country for decades, its involvement cannot be put down to zero, but strategic alignment with democratic principles could be the beginning of a new era in Myanmar. This article is authored by Cchavi Vasisht, associate fellow, Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump Gives Troops Free Hand At Border? More Trouble For Immigrants As U.S. Expands Military Zones
Amid global tensions over Iran-Israel war, Donald Trump was 'secretly' rushing more troops to the U.S. borders. The Department of Defence is expanding a militarised zone along the southern U.S. border, where troops are authorised to detain people who enter illegally. The Air Force announced Monday the annexation of a 400-kilometre stretch of the border in Texas amid a buildup of military forces under President's declaration of a national emergency at the border. Watch for more details.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dubai and Abu Dhabi's haven status tested by Mideast crisis
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The United Arab Emirates has managed to thrive during global instability, drawing capital during the Arab Spring, opening up quickly during the pandemic and attracting Russian money after Moscow's invasion of the Iran-Israel confrontation, which involved the US, poses one of the most stringent tests yet to the country's neutral and open-for-business Tuesday morning, just hours after Iran hit a US base in nearby Qatar and the UAE briefly closed its airspace, it was already business as usual in the financial centers of Dubai and Abu executive at one of Abu Dhabi's wealth funds said it was proceeding as planned with deals and investments, even encouraging foreign executives to visit for meetings. In Dubai, bankers were quick to relay optimism that the UAE would sidestep any major while a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump appears to be holding, some executives acknowledge an undercurrent of nervousness because the geopolitical risks of the Middle East have come so sharply to the stakes for the global financial community are particularly high in the UAE, which has attracted international billionaires looking to safeguard their wealth as well as Wall Street banks and hedge funds looking to expand. Abu Dhabi has been on a dealmaking spree with its $1.7 trillion sovereign wealth pile. Meanwhile, Dubai's property prices have surged 70% over four years propelled by buyers from around the world.'I think the current situation is contained. But what happened is significant — it's a signal that no action is off-limits anymore,' said Hussein Nasser-Eddin, chief executive of Dubai-based security services provider Crownox, referring to the attack in Qatar, which like the UAE is a long-time ally of the said his firm — which provides travel security, protective and risk advisory services — has seen a rise in contingency planning requests in the Gulf in the last couple days. Companies have asked for details of Crownox's cross-border capabilities, essentially wanting to know if it could 'save the day' if things went wrong, he such lingering concerns haven't been enough to deter those investing or living in the UAE. More than a dozen bankers, hedge fund and sovereign wealth fund executives interviewed by Bloomberg News said they haven't seen signs of capital flight or firms considering a pullback. They asked not be named because they weren't authorized to speak to the stocks, which sank at the outbreak of the Israeli strikes on Iran, have not just recouped those losses but scaled new highs in tandem with US stocks. Dubai's equity benchmark is trading almost 3% higher than before the conflict, reaching the highest level since the 2008 global financial crisis. Abu Dhabi's index has added more than 1% and is at the highest since January. Both indexes are rising faster than the global benchmark MSCI ACWI.'I believe that the safe-haven status will continue, the macro story remains robust and the reform program compelling. We continue to expect capital and population inflows in the medium-term,' Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, said about the UAE. 'The fact that there were no economic disruptions and the ceasefire are positive.'Historically, Dubai has benefitted from periods of unrest not just regionally but elsewhere too. Most recently, after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, some Russians bought Dubai real estate. Property prices have been shooting up since the pandemic. Still, the emirate's population is largely made of expatriates and any pullback from them would also dent the housing market, which makes up more than a third of the city's gross domestic product.'We had a period of 48 hours where buyers were reluctant to pull the trigger,' said Myles Bush, chairman of brokerage Phoenix Homes. 'However, now it's business as usual and buyer confidence has bounced back.'While market sentiment hasn't been affected so far, a resumption of hostilities may shake confidence, said Anna Kirichenko, a property broker who has worked in Dubai since is also the potential for other economic fallout. Despite airspace closures ending and the ceasefire, several global airlines are still avoiding Dubai to ensure the safety of crew and passengers amid geopolitical tensions. Among them are Singapore Airlines, Air India Ltd. and United Airlines Holdings Inc. The aviation sector supported 27% of Dubai's GDP in 2023, according to a report by Emirates, contributing nearly $40 billion to the city's and Abu Dhabi have in recent years attracted expatriates and financial firms partly because of the UAE's easy visa policies, low taxes and convenient time zone between East and West. The regulator for Dubai's financial center said it had contacted a number of firms, who reported normal business activity.A management consultant said it would take a far more devastating strike — such as one on a population center — to derail the UAE's haven status and its internationalization drive. IPO bankers in the UAE have said that their post-summer pipeline hasn't been affected by the geopolitical turmoil. Even in nearby Doha, the capital of Qatar, one banker said work had resumed as if the attack on the US base had never taken be sure, plenty of risks remain. Even after the truce was announced, there appeared to be early breaches by both sides that caused Trump to issue angry warnings. US intelligence findings have also shown that American air strikes had only a limited impact on Iran's nuclear program, while Trump has maintained the sites were completely executives were reassured because Iran appeared to have provided warnings before the attack and the UAE — which also houses US military personnel — wasn't targeted. The chain of events suggests that officials in the Gulf had been able to manage the crisis from behind the scenes, one Dubai-based portfolio manager Moelis, the veteran Wall Street dealmaker with close ties to the Middle East, characterized turbulence in the region as an opportunity for one of the most optimistic changes in the Gulf for a long time. He highlighted opportunities such as the potential impact of unlocking Iranian oil reserves and opening up the country's labor market, assuming sanctions are lifted.'All I hear about is what if the peace doesn't hold,' Moelis said in an interview on Bloomberg Television Wednesday. 'I haven't heard one person say, 'What if the 90 million population of highly educated motivated Iranians come into the market?''
