Amid the Israel-Iran conflict, tensions in the Middle East surged as Iran launched over 200 projectiles at Israel, purportedly in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria. Iran issued warnings of even stronger actions against Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel pledged both defensive and offensive responses, citing years of preparedness for direct Iranian aggression. Israel claimed to have successfully intercepted 99% of the 300 drones and missiles fired at them. Additionally, Israel urged the UN Security Council to promptly convene and designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the Iranian strike as a dangerous escalation and expressed intent to work with allies to de-escalate tensions, seeking meetings with G7 leaders. Amidst the deepening crisis in the Middle East, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other world leaders expressed solidarity with Israel. UN Chief António Guterres and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the attack. However, amid the Israel-Iran conflict, Iran later announced the conclusion of military operations against Israel, cautioning that US support for Israel could jeopardize American bases in the region, as reported by CNN.
24 April,2024 08:03 PM IST
The US would welcome any country interested in using its voice to further deter the Russian offensive in Ukraine and play a positive role in helping release hostages and defeating Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing on April 18. Asked how the US and the international community can use Prime Minister Narendra Modi's influence to end the ongoing war worldwide, Patel said, “Specifically, first in the context of Russia-Ukraine, if any country is interested in using its voice to further deter Russian aggression on the people of Ukraine, we certainly would welcome that and in the current ongoing context in Gaza, any country that believes that they can play a positive role in helping us get to a release of hostages, helping us get additional humanitarian assistance into Gaza, and helping to defeat Gaza, they certainly should and are welcome to play that role.”
19 April,2024 06:47 PM IST
Israel and Iran exchanged condemnations during a tense United Nations Security Council session on April 14, following a series of provocative actions in recent weeks. Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israeli territory, involving a swarm of explosive drones and missile fire, risked a significant escalation of hostilities. This attack came as retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's embassy compound in Syria on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of top Revolutionary Guards commanders. These events unfolded against the backdrop of months of clashes between Israel and Iran's regional allies, sparked by the conflict in Gaza.
15 April,2024 02:09 PM IST
Israel has put in a request with the UN Security Council to immediately convene a meeting to unequivocally condemn Iran. Soon after Israeli missiles hit the Iranian consulate in Syria, Iran vowed revenge on Israel. The attack claimed the lives of Iran’s top three Military Generals which added ‘fuel to the fire’ in the war in the Middle East. In a retaliatory move, Iran struck hundreds of UAVs, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles on Israeli soil. Israeli Envoy to UN Gilad Erdan demanded Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGP) to be designated as a “Terrorist Organisation”. Israel said that Iran poses a direct threat to international peace and violated the UN Charter. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Netanyahu on April 13 said that the country has prepared for an attack by Iran and is ready “for any scenario”.
14 April,2024 02:46 PM IST
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sources have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control by Iran. India is in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals, the sources added. The conflict has intensified in West Asia after suspected Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s consulate in Syria's capital Damascus and Tehran’s warning of retaliation. A map showed the path of an Israeli-linked cargo ship, the MSC Aries, that had been seized between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, in the Persian Gulf, situated close to the Strait of Hormuz, on Saturday (April 13). The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) posted a warning on social media after having received a report on the vessel and said it had been “seized by regional authorities”. This after Iran warned earlier this week that it could close the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. The Aries is leased by international shipping line MSC from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac said in a statement, adding that MSC is responsible for all vessel activities. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
14 April,2024 12:40 PM IST
The Indian Navy saved 23 Pakistani nationals from Somali pirates during a 12-hour-long operation in the Arabian Sea. The rescue unfolded in the early hours of March 29 when INS Sumedha intercepted the hijacked vessel FV Al-Kambar. INS Sumedha was soon joined by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul to bolster the operation. Indian naval forces initiated negotiations with the pirates, compelling them to surrender without bloodshed. Following the apprehension of pirates, the navy personnel thoroughly carried out the sanitisation of the vessel. The Iranian vessel was approximately 90 Nm south-west of Socotra and was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. Notably, the Indian Navy has carried out several high-octane operations against piracy attacks lately. Also, this is not the first time that Indian Navy has come forward to rescue Pakistan nationals. In January this year, 19 Pakistanis were rescued from Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, Al Naeemi which was attacked by pirates. Also, earlier this month, Indian Navy intercepted the under-attack ship Ruen and 35 Somali pirates were made to surrender.
30 March,2024 11:07 AM IST
In a shocking incident, Russia witnessed a deadly terrorist attack at a jam-packed concert hall in Moscow on March 22. The heinous attack claimed the lives of at least 60 people leaving 145 injured, reported CNN. The terrorist outfit, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack at the concert venue complex in Moscow. Meanwhile, PM Modi “strongly” condemned the Moscow shooting attack and affirmed India’s solidarity with the Russian govt. As per reports, a group of armed men stormed into the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow and opened fire. Several pictures have emerged showing the Crocus City Hall concert venue on fire, with thick, black smoke filling the air. It also showed scared locals huddling, screaming and ducking behind cushioned seats as gunshots rang out in the vast hall.
23 March,2024 01:13 PM IST
Reuters has reported that at least 40 people were killed and more than 100 were injured when as many as 5 gunmen dressed in camouflage clothing opened fire at people at a concert hall in Moscow on March 22. Armed attackers with automatic weapons targeted Moscow’s Crocus City Hall music venue. Flames leaped into the sky and plumes of black smoke rose above the venue after the deadly attack. It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were. The shooting began days after President Vladimir Putin was re-elected and as Russia is prosecuting a war with Ukraine. NSC coordinator for strategic communication of United States of America, John Kirby has expressed concern over the Moscow shooting incident.
23 March,2024 12:07 PM IST
Vladimir Putin won the Russian Presidential Elections with nearly 88 per cent votes. While addressing Russian citizens, the newly elected President Putin warned of World War III. Direct conflict between Russia, NATO would mean the world would be “one step away” from World War III. The Ukraine conflict has triggered deepest crisis in Moscow's relations with West since 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin has often warned of the risks of nuclear war but says he has never felt the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Elections in Russia came just over two years since the full-scale conflict broke out between Ukraine, Russia. It has been considered as one of the Europe’s deadliest conflict since the World War II. The chair of the central election commission in Moscow said Putin won a record 88 pc of the vote. He received more votes in comparison to the 2018 Elections where he bagged 76.69 per cent of the total votes counted. Vladimir Putin was first elected as the President in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, 2012, 2018 and 2024 respectively.
18 March,2024 12:32 PM IST
The Indian Navy once again displayed its heroics and intercepted a ship hijacked by Somali pirates. From a Indian Navy vs Somali Pirates scenario, Navy shared a video of its encounter with Somali pirates who were using a hijacked merchant vessel. The Indian Navy thwarted designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen. The navy intercepted the hijacked ex-MV Ruen which was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship on high seas. The vessel opened fire on the warship and the Indian Navy retaliated to neutralise the pirates. The pirates onboard the vessel were called upon to surrender and release the vessel. In recent times, Indian Navy has proved its mettle by averting piracy bids in high seas.
16 March,2024 06:09 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
