The United States will blockade Iranian ports for “as long as it takes,” US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said, threatening renewed strikes if Tehran does not make a deal. “If Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy,” Hegseth said. Houthi Leader Blames US i
16 April,2026 09:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe commander of Iran’s joint military command has warned that Iran would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the United States (US) does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports. “Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,”
16 April,2026 04:52 PM IST | Cairo | mid-day online correspondentUS President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that Israel and Lebanon will hold “historic” talks on Friday, marking the first high-level engagement between the two sides in over three decades. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the initiative aims to ease long-standing tensions between the two countries amid ongoing hostilities, p
16 April,2026 03:11 PM IST | Washington | mid-day online correspondentThe US military has reported turning back 10 vessels attempting to sail out of Iranian ports during the initial 48 hours of its naval blockade against Iran. "Ten vessels have now been turned around and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the US blockade on Monday," US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated in a post on X. CENTCOM earlier r
16 April,2026 11:23 AM IST | Washington DC | mid-day online correspondentQatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time), discussing rising regional tensions and calling for urgent de-escalation, according to a statement from the Emir's office, CNN reported. The two leaders also exchanged views on the impact of escalating tensions in the Mid
16 April,2026 11:13 AM IST | Doha | ANITwo Israeli strikes on Wednesday hit vehicles south of Beirut, state media reported, while Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel, hours after Lebanon and Israel agreed to hold direct negotiations. Israel is continuing its strikes on southern Lebanon in its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah, but has not targeted the Lebanese capital since a series of a
15 April,2026 02:07 PM IST | Beirut, Lebanon | AFPUS and Iran could be headed toward a second round of talks, according to AP sources. The sides are weighing new in-person negotiations in a bid to reach a deal aimed at ending their six-week war before the ceasefire expires next week, two US officials and person familiar with the development said. The three said discussions were still underway ab
14 April,2026 01:59 PM IST | Washington | APUS President Donald Trump on Monday said that he has not spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while reiterating that the United States shares a "very good relationship" with China and noting that Xi wants the ongoing West Asia conflict to end. Speaking to reporters at the White House, the President said, "We have a very good relationship with
14 April,2026 08:26 AM IST | Washington, DC | ANIFrench President Emmanuel Macron on Monday announced that France and the United Kingdom (UK) will jointly lead a multinational initiative aimed at restoring free and secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz amid uncertainties over the virtual control of the strategic waterway between the United States (US) and Iran, news agency ANI reported. In a
13 April,2026 04:35 PM IST | Paris | mid-day online correspondentUS President Donald Trump said that the rescued airmen from Iran are in a good shape. He said, "They are in very good shape, and we're very proud of them." Trump had said on April 5 that the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations. He said, "WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hour
13 April,2026 01:15 PM IST | Washington DC [US] | ANIHezbollah's Islamic Resistance claimed responsibility for carrying out 43 military operations against Israeli positions and troop concentrations on Sunday, saying the strikes were in response to alleged ceasefire violations and continued Israeli military activity in Lebanon, Iranian State Media Press TV reported. According to Press TV, citing a st
13 April,2026 01:06 PM IST | Beirut [Lebanon] | ANIADVERTISEMENT
-1776317515711_d.png "Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. File pIc")
-1776242165764_d.png "Damage at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of Abbasiyeh. Pic/AFP")
