Pakistan drops a shocker over Iran's nuclear programme, decides to..., US president Trump might...
Support for the nuclear programme from Pakistan is of special importance to Iran, as Israel and America have constantly raised questions on Iran's nuclear programme. Israel and America also bombed Iran's nuclear bases in June after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. In such a situation, Sharif's statement on the nuclear issue can also anger Trump. What did the Iran-Pak joint statement say?
According to Dawn, Shehbaz Sharif and Masoud Pezeshkian have signed several agreements on Sunday, 03 August 2025. The two countries signed documents to realise the potential of the $10 billion trade target. In a joint press conference with Pezeshkian, Shehbaz Sharif condemned Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear sites on June 13. What did Shehbaz Sharif say?
Shehbaz Sharif said that Israel attacked Iran without any reason, and provocation. 'This attack was condemned not only by the government but also by the entire 24 crore Pakistani people because Israel had no logic for this attack.' Sharif also expressed condolences to the Iranian generals, scientists and civilians killed in Israeli attacks. What did Shehbaz say on Iran's nuclear programme?
Shehbaz Sharif said during this time that Iran has the right to run its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes under the United Nations Charter. He said that this has been Pakistan's principled stand, and Pakistan will maintain its stand. He also talked about taking effective steps together with Iran on terrorism.
Iranian President Pezeshkian thanked the government and people of Pakistan for supporting Iran during the Israeli attack. Pezeshkian said that advancing neighbourhood policy has been a priority of Iran's foreign policy. 'Pakistan is not only our neighbour but also a brotherly country.'
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Hindustan Times
11 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Israel mulls new Gaza war plan, full occupation of Palestinian territory on cards
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared Tuesday to unveil an updated Gaza war plan designed to destroy Hamas and secure the release of dozens of hostages, with Israeli media reporting he would order the total occupation of the Palestinian territory. "Netanyahu wants the Israeli army to conquer the entire Gaza Strip," said a report on public broadcaster Kan.(AP) Netanyahu was expected to meet security chiefs in Jerusalem on Tuesday to discuss new orders, local media reported, even as Israel's diplomats convened a UN Security Council meeting in New York to highlight the plight of Israelis held in Gaza. The timing of the security meeting has not been officially confirmed. Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 said Netanyahu would meet the army chief of staff and the defence and army ministers. Unnamed senior officials told Israeli media he intends to order the re-occupation of Gaza. "Netanyahu wants the Israeli army to conquer the entire Gaza Strip," said a report on public broadcaster Kan. Netanyahu also said Monday he would convene the cabinet later in the week to approve the new instructions. "Several cabinet members who spoke with the prime minister confirmed that he has decided to extend the fight to areas where hostages might be held," Kan reported. The private daily Maariv declared: "The die is cast. We're en route for the total conquest of Gaza." However, some major media outlets such as Channel 12 have questioned whether the rumoured expansion of military operations is merely a negotiating tactic, and whether Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir would oppose such a decision. "The Chief of Staff is required to express his professional opinion clearly and unequivocally to the political leadership. I am convinced that he will do so," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X. While the reconquest plan has not been officially confirmed, it has already drawn an angry response from the Palestinian Authority and Gaza's Hamas-run government, which insisted it will not shift its position on ceasefire talks. "The ball is in the hands of... (Israel) and the Americans," senior Hamas official Husam Badran told AFP, adding that the militant group wanted to "end the war and the famine". Desperate families After 22 months of combat sparked by the October 7, 2023 cross-border attacks by Hamas that killed 1,219 people and saw hundreds kidnapped, the Israeli army has devastated large parts of the Palestinian territory. More than 60,933 Palestinians have been killed, according to figures from Hams-run Gaza's health ministry, and humanitarian agencies have warned that the territory's 2.4 million people are slipping into a catastrophic famine. But Netanyahu is under pressure on several fronts. Domestically, the desperate and vocal families of the 49 remaining hostages are demanding a ceasefire to bring their loved ones home. Around the world, humanitarians are pushing for a truce to allow in food to the starving, and several European capitals have announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood, despite fierce US and Israeli opposition. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's far-right allies in his ruling coalition want to seize the opportunity of the war to reoccupy Gaza and tighten control of the occupied West Bank. Foreign Minister Saar was in New York, where Israel's US ally was helping organise a Security Council meeting to focus world attention on the fate of the hostages. The defence ministry civil affairs agency for the Palestinian territories, COGAT, said Tuesday that Israel will partially reopen private sector trade with Gaza to reduce its reliance on UN and aid agency convoys and international military airdrops. "As part of formulating the mechanism, a limited number of local merchants were approved by the defence establishment, subject to several criteria and strict security screening," COGAT said. Israel has been fighting Hamas in Gaza for 22 months and imposed a total blockade on March 2, partially lifted in May to allow a US-backed private agency to open food distribution centres. Aid convoys and airdrops by Arab and European militaries resumed last month, as UN-mandated expert reports warned famine was unfolding in the war-torn territory. The COGAT statement said private sector deliveries would be paid for by monitored bank transfers and be subject to inspections by the Israeli military before entering Gaza, "to prevent the involvement of the Hamas terrorist organisation." Staple foods Permitted goods under the new mechanism will include food staples, fruit, vegetables, baby formula and hygiene products, COGAT said. On Monday. Netanyahu insisted Israel's war goals remained "the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel". His statement came after hundreds of retired Israeli security chiefs wrote to US President Donald Trump to urge him to convince Netanyahu to end the war, arguing that Israel has already scored a military victory and should seek to negotiate the hostages' release. The families of the hostages are also horrified by talk of escalation, accusing the government of putting their relatives in renewed danger, even as Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad release propaganda videos showing emaciated captives.
Indian Express
42 minutes ago
- Indian Express
The only realistic solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict
A glimpse of hope! The New York Declaration announced by Arab and European powers last Wednesday could well be that missing piece capable of transforming the Middle East, if — a big if — it manages to secure the support of two key cantankerous leaders, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The agreement, spearheaded by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, contained several key and hitherto unimaginable features that are critical for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and cannot be taken lightly. Though there were only 19 attendees, the composition of the conference reflects its inclusive global character. They include the Arabs (Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar), the Westerners (Britain, Canada, Spain, and Norway), other Muslims (Indonesia and Türkiye), and the Global South players (Brazil, Mexico, and Senegal). While the mercurial Türkiye was party to the declaration, the meeting carefully avoided controversial countries such as South Africa. With the presence of Qatar and Türkiye, which have been favourably disposed towards Hamas, the Declaration presents several positions that run counter to the Palestinian militant group, its actions and worldview. Breaking away from the past, the statement, also backed by the Arab League, clearly condemns 'all acts of terrorism' and observes that the 'taking of hostages is prohibited under international law'. It has set aside erstwhile ambiguity, justifications and rationalisation of violence. In a radical departure from the past, the statement declares, 'We condemn the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians on the 7th of October.' The statement also unambiguously calls for an end to Hamas's rule (which is a key Israeli demand) since the militant group forcibly took over control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007. While seeking a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the signatories also demand: 'Hamas must free all hostages.' In a joint voice that would be music to the ears of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, it demands: 'Gaza is an integral part of a Palestinian State and must be unified with the West Bank,' and welcomes a 'One State, One Government, One Law, One Gun' policy of the Palestine National Authority. In short, it calls for the dismantling, disarming, and dissolution of Hamas's control and rule over the Gaza Strip and the PNA taking full legal, political and administrative responsibility for the West Bank as well as Gaza. The willingness of a growing number of Western states, especially France, Britain and Canada, to reverse their policy and move towards recognising a Palestinian State reflects growing international despair, disappointment and disillusionment over the continuing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the widespread global frustration over President Trump's inability to walk the talk of a ceasefire and an end to the conflict. Rather than issuing inflammatory and pompous statements, under the French-Saudi leadership, a few major powers have adopted a hard-nosed and foresighted path. Palestinian statehood is as important as Israel's right to exist. And the recognition of the State of Palestine without addressing key Israeli complaints would render any effort a non-starter. Realising this conundrum, alongside his desire to recognise the Palestinian State, French President Emmanuel Macron collaborated with a range of Arab, European, and other powers to develop an unprecedented roadmap that is a ray of hope. At this critical moment, the absence of India from the New York meet might be odd, but understandable. It was one of the first countries to depict the October 7 attack as terrorism and has been consistent in that depiction, even though some European powers have diluted their support for Israel since then. Likewise, even in the midst of the conflict, India reiterated its continued support for the two-state solution, especially when the idea and its timing are not popular with Netanyahu. India's absence might be logistical rather than a difference of policy. The growing Western support for Palestinian statehood and Arab dissociation from Hamas is an outcome of the radically altered regional climate after the 14-day Israel-Iran conflict. Through a host of military actions and operations since October 2023, Israel has considerably weakened Iran's proxies and downgraded their military capabilities. Their inability to help their patron during the June confrontation with Israel exposed the limitations of Tehran's proxy strategy. The fall of Assad in Syria and internal opposition in Iraq also worked against Iran's regional influence. Thus, regional players, especially Qatar and Türkiye, who were sympathetic towards Hamas until recently, could now come out and openly demand an end to Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. This was unthinkable when Iranian proxies were militarily powerful and politically influential, even just a few months ago. Despite all the hurdles and limitations, the two-state solution is the only realistic, viable and honourable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The failure of the much-hoped Oslo process compelled some, including several in India, to propose a one-state solution that ignores the national rights of the people concerned. Arguments of one unified state where Arabs and Jews could live peacefully and in harmony exhibit an unfamiliarity with Middle Eastern history. Moreover, it is akin to the idea of Akhand Bharat, which encompasses Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and others with the Indian Republic. Such an idea for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is both suicidal and catastrophic for all stakeholders. Indeed, on the eve of the New York meeting, Israeli officials were furious and condemned the impending French recognition of the Palestinian State, describing it as a reward for Hamas and its terror tactics. This line of argument was demolished by the New York Declaration and its pragmatic contours for a two-state solution. In the words of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot: 'For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, condemn October 7, call for the disarmament of Hamas, call for its exclusion from Palestinian governance, and clearly express their intention to normalise relations with Israel in the future.' The New York Declaration fulfills all the major demands of Israel, and the internationally recognised Palestinian leadership is prepared to shoulder its responsibility for coexistence. Is Netanyahu willing to agree? The writer teaches contemporary Middle East at Jawaharlal Nehru University
The Hindu
42 minutes ago
- The Hindu
the week in five charts us tarrifs Malegaon blast case, GHF aid-related deaths, and more
(1) U.S. slaps 25% tariffs on Indian imports U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariff rates for imports into the U.S. from countries across the world on August 1, 2025 after a 90-day pause ended. On Indian imports, Mr. Trump announced a 25% tariff. He pointed to India's trade with Russia in oil and military equipment, saying that India's purchases helped support Russia amidst its ongoing war with Ukraine. India's purchase of Russian oil (as a proportion of Russia's fossil fuel exports) has been increasing since 2022, and Russia remains a top supplier of military equipment, although arms imports from Russia have fallen over the years. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs maintained that India will continue to source oil from where it is cheapest and it will take decisions on arms procurements based on national security and strategic assessments. (2) All 7 accused in the 2008 Malegaon Blast were acquitted A special NIA court in Mumbai on Thursday (July 31, 2025) acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. 'Upon comprehensive evaluation, the prosecution has failed to bring any cogent evidence, and the evidence is riddled with inconsistencies, therefore, the Court has to extend the benefit of doubt to all accused,' Special Judge A.K. Lahoti said, delivering the verdict in the special National Investigation Agency court in Mumbai on Thursday. Justice Lahoti said that the prosecution had failed to prove that the bike on which the bomb was allegedly strapped belonged to Ms. Thakur. 'Serial number of the two-wheeler's chassis was not completely recovered by the forensic experts and, therefore, the prosecution failed to prove that Pragya Thakur was the owner of the two-wheeler in question,' he said, noting that Ms. Thakur had turned into a sanyasi and left behind all material belongings two years before the blast took place, 'There is no cogent material against her or any other accused in the case,' he said. The other accused in the case were: Ramesh Upadhyay, Sameer Kulkarni, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, and Sudhakar Chaturvedi. The judge said it was hard to establish the prosecution's claims of a conspiracy between the accused, adding that there was no evidence to prove claims that an organisation named Abhinav Bharat, founded by Ms. Thakur and Colonel Purohit, had used funds it generated to execute the bomb blast. Here is the timeline of the case: (3) Three Pakistani terrorists behind Pahalgam attack killed in Operation Mahadev, Centre tells Lok Sabha Three Pakistani terrorists who had carried out the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam were killed in a security operation in Dachigam on Monday (July 28, 2025), the Union government told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (July 29, 2025). Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the operation and that the three slain terrorists had been involved in the Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead. Sharing the details, Mr. Shah said that the three terrorists have been identified as Suleman alias Faizal Jatt, Hamza Afghani, and Zibran, all Pakistani nationals and members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Suleiman alias Faisal was an A-category terrorist who was also involved in the Gagangir terror attacks in October 2024. Mr. Shah said that the identity of the terrorists and their involvement was confirmed with the help of ballistic and forensic reports and the testimony of four other witnesses, including two accused, who had given them shelter a day before the attack. Pakistani voter identity cards and chocolates made in Pakistan were found on the two terrorists, establishing that they came from Pakistan, he said. (4) Over 770 Palestinians killed in two months at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's aid distribution sites At least 1,874 Palestinians have died in aid-related violence since October 2023. Of these, approximately 1,129 — about 60% — were killed in the past two months alone, coinciding with GHF's operations in the region. Most of those killed (at least 1,597) were civilians shot by the Israeli Defense Forces while seeking aid in or around distribution sites, according to data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), an international non-profit that tracks global violence. Since May 26, aid-related killings have occurred almost daily. The violence peaked in the third week of June, with June 17 recording the highest single-day toll — 97 people. At least 771 Palestinians seeking aid have been killed in and around GHF's aid distribution centers between May 26 and July 18. Of these, 708 were reportedly killed by the Israeli Defense Forces. The number of people killed in and around GHF centers on a daily basis is shown below in red and gray. The 'Other/Contested Claims' section in the graphic above also includes civilian deaths. However, the exact circumstances of these killings remain disputed, as the claims have been denied or refuted by the alleged perpetrators. Some of these incidents involved Israeli-backed groups rather than the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) directly, according to data compiled from news reports. (5) Prajwal Revanna gets convicted in rape case with a life sentence Former Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna was sentenced to 'imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life' by a special court on Saturday (August 2, 2025), a day after he was convicted of raping a domestic worker multiple times on his family's farm, one of four cases of rape and sexual abuse filed against him. Prajwal, the former MP from Hassan in Karnataka, is the grandson of former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. He was suspended from the party in the wake of multiple rape allegations. While Prajwal was sentenced to 'imprisonment for life which shall mean remainder of natural life' under Section 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code (repeated rape on the same woman), the maximum punishment possible under the Section, he was also sentenced to 'imprisonment for life' under Section 376(2)(k) (being in a position of control or dominance over a woman, commits rape on such woman), apart from a host of other sections of the IPC and Information Technology Act, 2000. The judgement also imposed a total penalty of ₹11.60 lakh on the convict and ordered that ₹11.25 lakh be paid to the victim in the case. The victim in this case was a 48-year-old domestic worker employed on the family's farm who was raped twice in 2021, with the act being filmed by the former MP. The video of the rape was leaked, along with several other explicit clips featuring nearly a hundred women, in April 2024, days ahead of the Lok Sabha election.
