White House reveals when Donald Trump will decide on US response to Israel-Iran war
The White House on Thursday announced that President Donald Trump plans to decide within the next two weeks whether the US will intervene in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
Quoting Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.'
(This is a developing story. Please check back for updates)
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Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
As US eyes its airspace, Pakistan confirms: Trump, Munir had discussion on Iran
As anticipated by Delhi, US President Donald Trump and Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had a 'detailed exchange of views' on the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict when they met over lunch at the White House. In a statement Thursday, the Pakistan Army said, 'A detailed exchange of views also took place on the prevailing tensions between Iran and Israel, with both leaders emphasising the importance of resolution of the conflict.' Asked if Iran was discussed with Munir, Trump said: 'Well, they know Iran very well, better than most, and they are not happy about anything.' 'It's not that they are bad with Israel. They know them both, actually, but they probably, maybe they know Iran better, but they see what's going on, and he agreed with me,' he said. In Islamabad, the Pakistan Army said the US President showed 'keen interest' in developing a mutually beneficial trade relationship with Pakistan on the basis of long-term strategic interests. According to Delhi's assessment, the US is enlisting Rawalpindi's support since it would want to use Pakistan's airspace, air bases and other infrastructure for launching any military offensive on Iran. This was the key focus of Trump's lunch with Munir which, according to sources, lasted for about two hours, and not one hour as scheduled. According to news agency Reuters, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Trump was hosting Munir after he called for the US President to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for preventing a nuclear war between India and Pakistan. But sources indicated that the meeting was not arranged through routine diplomatic channels, and was the outcome of 'unorthodox efforts' by a group of advisers, businessmen and other influential figures. Sources said stronger counter-terrorism cooperation, engagement with crypto-linked influence networks, and targeted lobbying via Republican-aligned firms in Washington helped Pakistan secure the meeting. A source, who has been tracking the US-Pakistan relationship over decades, said, 'It is not rare but absolutely unprecedented for a military chief to be invited by a POTUS (President of the United States) for a meeting, let alone a meeting over a meal. All Pakistan military chiefs who visited the US and other capitals did so as Presidents.' In the past, US President George W Bush met Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf in 2004. Munir's US visit began last Sunday and was his second since he took over as military chief in 2022. Trump was effusive about both Munir and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he was 'honoured' to meet Munir and that they discussed the situation arising out of the Iran-Israel conflict. 'The reason I had him here, I want to thank him for not going into the war, ending the war (with India). And I want to thank, as you know, Prime Minister Modi,' he said. 'We are working on a trade deal with India. We are working on a trade deal with Pakistan.' Trump also recalled his meeting with Modi at the White House in February. He said he was 'happy' that 'two very smart people decided not to keep going with that war'. 'That could have been a nuclear war. Those are two nuclear powers, big ones, big, big nuclear powers, and they decided (to end the conflict),' he said. The US President was accompanied at the meeting by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Munir was joined by Pakistan National Security Advisor Lt Gen Asim Malik, who is also head of the spy agency ISI. Earlier, in his phone conversation with Trump, Modi had told the President that India and Pakistan halted their military actions following direct talks between the two militaries without any mediation by the US. The Pakistan Army, in its statement on the Trump-Munir meeting, said, the 'Chief of Army Staff conveyed the deep appreciation of the government and people of Pakistan for President Trump's constructive and result-oriented role in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in the recent regional crisis. The COAS acknowledged President Trump's statesmanship and his ability to comprehend and address the multifaceted challenges faced by the global community.' 'President Trump, in turn, lauded Pakistan's ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability, and appreciated the robust counter-terrorism cooperation between the two states. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in the field of counter-terrorism,' it said. 'Discussions also encompassed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple domains including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests,' it said. 'In a gesture reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir extended an invitation to President Trump, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date'
India.com
25 minutes ago
- India.com
Iran's Lethal Sejjil-2 Missile Makes Its War Debut Against Israel – Five Things To Know
New Delhi: Iran has deployed one of its most powerful weapons – the Sejjil-2. Fired as part of Operation True Promise III, a multi-wave missile campaign targeting Israel, the Sejjil-2 marks a leap in Iran's use of long-range strategic firepower. Here is a closer look at what the missile is, why its launch matters and how it changes the stakes in the Iran-Israel conflict: The Sejjil-2 is one of Iran's most advanced medium-range ballistic weapons, known for its solid-fuel engine and long-range capability. With a reach of roughly 2,000 kilometres and a 700-kilogram warhead capacity, it is designed for deep and decisive strikes. What makes it stand out is its two-stage solid-fuel propulsion. Unlike older liquid-fueled missiles, which require time-consuming preparation, solid-fuel missiles can be fired with minimal warning – making it harder to detect and intercept. The Sejjil's range puts most of the Middle East, including Israel, within striking distance. In addition to being a symbol of Iran's military reach, it is also a psychological weapon. Its solid-fuel design allows for greater mobility and faster response times. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) describes it as 'one of the most accurate and strategic missiles in the region', with a guidance system refined through multiple test launches since its first successful flight in 2008. According to the IRGC, the Sejjil-2 was launched on Thursday in the latest wave of retaliatory strikes against Israel. The missile reportedly aimed for high-value military targets, though Israel claims it was intercepted and only debris struck a civilian vehicle. Despite the interception, the launch itself is symbolic – showing Iran's readiness to escalate the war using its heaviest and farthest-reaching arsenal. The Sejjil-2 has been tested at least six times. One of its most notable tests saw it flying over 1,900 kilometres into the Indian Ocean, demonstrating both range and improved navigation systems. Each test has reportedly focused on fine-tuning accuracy and flight stability. The May 2009 trial was specifically aimed at upgrading guidance and targeting technology – a crucial improvement for hitting military-grade installations. The appearance of the Sejjil-2 in an active war theatre is a milestone in Iran's military doctrine. It signals a shift from regional posturing to real-time deployment. For Israel, and the broader international community, this introduces new challenges in missile defense and regional strategy. The launch also complicates diplomatic efforts. Solid-fuel missiles like the Sejjil can be fired from remote, hidden locations and do not require external fueling – making them ideal for surprise attacks.
NDTV
37 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Saw Missiles, Heard Bombs": Indian Students Recall Iran-Israel Conflict Horror
New Delhi: "We saw missiles in the sky and heard bombs in our neighbourhood... We were petrified", said MBBS student Mir Khalif, his voice still trembling with fear, as he stepped out of the Delhi airport after being evacuated from war-hit Iran under Operation Sindhu. Khalif arrived in the national capital early Thursday in the first evacuation flight carrying 110 Indian students from the Urmia University of Medical Sciences in Iran's Urmia city as part of the special operation launched by the Indian government in response to the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. The students, including 90 from Jammu and Kashmir, were moved from Tehran to Armenia earlier this week as explosions and aerial attacks rocked Iranian cities. The rescue was coordinated by the Indian Embassy. Khalif described the experience in Iran as a nightmare and thanked the Indian government for evacuating them first to Armenia and then bringing them back home. "We saw missiles and heard bombings. It was a war zone. Our building shook during the attacks. I hope no student has to face what we did," he said. "There are students still stuck in Iran. They are being relocated to safer places. We hope they will also be airlifted to India soon," he added. Varta, a resident of Kashmir, recalled the fear she lived through. "We were the first ones to be evacuated from Iran. The situation was quite critical. We were terrified. We thank the Indian government and the Indian Embassy, which worked swiftly to bring us here. "Our neighbourhood was attacked. When the Indian government came to our doorstep, it felt like home," she told PTI. Huzaif Malik, another student from Kashmir, told PTI, "There are 90 of us from Kashmir. We landed this morning, and now we are heading to Kashmir in sleeper buses. Some students also left for their homes by flights." Ali Akbar, who hails from Delhi, said the destruction was visible everywhere. "We saw a missile and a drone fall from the sky while travelling in a bus. Tehran is in ruins. The images on the news are real, the situation is very bad," he said. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reached the Delhi airport to receive the students. Later, in a post on X, he said, "Warmly welcomed home the first group of 110 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran as part of Operation Sindhu, reaffirming India's steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad." Mr Singh also shared some photos of the arrival of Indian nationals at the airport. Mr Singh confirmed that evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu are ongoing, with more flights scheduled. "We have planes ready. We will be sending another plane today. We are evacuating some more people from Turkmenistan. Our missions have opened 24-hour helplines for any request for evacuation. As the situation evolves, we will be sending more planes to evacuate Indian nationals," he said. The Union minister thanked the governments of Turkmenistan and Armenia for their support. Officials on Wednesday had said that the first evacuation flight of Indian nationals being moved out of Iran was to arrive in India from the Armenian capital of Yerevan in the early hours of June 19. Meanwhile, at the Delhi airport, several parents waited anxiously to reunite with their children. Haider Ali, the father of MBBS student Maaz Haider, said, "We are happy and grateful, but our hearts are still heavy knowing that many students are still stuck in Tehran. We urge the government to bring them back too." Parvez Alam from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, whose son studied in Urmia, said, "We were under constant stress. The students were shifted to Armenia and looked after well. We thank the government for this." The Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the evacuation. "We remain hopeful that all remaining students will be evacuated soon," the association said in a statement. In a post on X, the association shared photos of a Kashmiri student's reunion with her family. "Saba Rasool, the first Kashmiri MBBS student from Srinagar, reaches home after being evacuated from Iran by the Ministry of External Affairs under Operation Sindhu. Grateful to Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister for ensuring her safe return," read the post. While relieved to be back in India, some students complained about the condition of the buses arranged for them to travel back to Kashmir. Taking note, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed officials to ensure that the students are ferried in deluxe buses. "Chief Minister has taken note of the request of the students evacuated from Iran regarding the quality of buses arranged to transport them from Delhi to J&K. The Resident Commissioner has been tasked with coordinating with the JKRTC to ensure proper deluxe buses are arranged," the Chief Minister's Office said on X.
