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
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
India’s External Affairs Ministry has finally reacted to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Pakistan. Deadly airstrikes were carried out by Iran on terror outfit’s headquarters in Pakistan’s Balochistan. Pakistan claimed that two children lost their lives, two sustained serious injuries in the airstrikes by Iran. India took a pro-Iranian stance and emphasised ‘actions countries take for self-defense’. Pakistan condemned Iran’s actions and termed the attack as an “unprovoked violation” of its airspace. In 2019, India carried out airstrikes in Balakot in retaliation to the suicide attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group in Pulwama.
18 January,2024 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai
US Dept of Defense made a shocking claim and held Iran responsible for the India drone strike on the India-bound merchant vessel. Further, the Pentagon statement also claimed that it was the “seventh Iranian attack on commercial shipping since 2021”. A suspected drone attacked an India-bound ship in the Arabian Sea near Gujarat coast on December 23. MV Chem Pluto, a merchant ship, commenced its voyage from UAE on Dec 19 and was expected to reach New Mangalore port on Dec 25. Soon after getting hit, the merchant vessel immediately caught fire; however, no casualties have been reported so far. Notably, 20 Indians were onboard the ship during the incident that took place 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast. Reacting sharply to it, the Indian Navy and ICG didn’t waste any time and charged towards the MV Chem Pluto for assistance. The vessel is likely to enter Mumbai and seek escort assistance due to steering issues. Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram will be escorting the ship during its passage. The Indian Coast Guard Operations Centre is monitoring the situation closely.
03 January,2024 02:22 PM IST
As the Israel-Hamas Conflict continues for straight 88 days, Hamas Dy leader Saleh al-Arouri on Jan 02, was killed in an alleged Israeli drone strike in Beirut, reported The Times of Israel. Hamas terrorist group in the early hours of Jan 03, also confirmed the killing of its deputy commander in Lebanon. Meanwhile, condemning the alleged killing of Arouri, Lebanon's caretaker PM Najib Mikati, called it a "new Israeli crime". Mikati forewarned, saying Tel Aviv aims to drag Lebanon into the conflict. Lebanese terror group Hezbollah vowed to respond to alleged Israeli attack claiming its fighters are at heightened readiness to retaliate. The terror group called the alleged Israeli strike “a serious assault on Lebanon, its people, its security and its sovereignty…”. However, Israel has yet to claim responsibility for the attack but also issued an obscure statement. during a press conference. Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Foreign Media Spokesman Mark Regev said, “Whoever did this, it’s not an attack on the Lebanese state…”. Meanwhile, the alleged killing of the Hamas leader sparked a massive protest in West Bank’s Ramallah. Holding flags and chanting slogans, hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets and marched toward Arouri’s hometown. Notably, at least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas' attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. The IDF in retaliation to the attack has continued to pound Hamas targets since the outbreak of the war.
03 January,2024 11:25 AM IST
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was addressing the Israel’s Parliament on December 25. During his address, The PM said, “Israel would not succeed in freeing hostages without military pressure”. Hostages' family members sitting in the chamber, holding posters intermittently interrupted him. "Now! Now! Now!" the family members of Hamas hostages shouted during the Knesset session. A deal brokered in late November by the US, Qatar, and Egypt saw the release of more than 100 hostages. Around 240 hostages were taken captive to Gaza during an attack by Hamas militants on Oct 7. Three Israeli hostages were killed mistakenly in Gaza by Israeli forces earlier this month. On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel from Gaza. Approximately 1,140 people lost their lives in the assault, with the majority being civilians in the Israel-Hamas War.
26 December,2023 05:15 PM IST
The Israeli army on December 4 released footage showing what it said were ground and air operations against Hamas targets in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas Conflict. In the video footage, Israeli soldiers could be seen carrying weapons and firing toward what they said were Hamas targets, and aerial footage showed destruction of what the Israeli army said was Hamas infrastructure. According to an Israeli army statement, the army entered a building where they encountered Hamas fighters and during the battle inside the building, two Israeli sergeants were killed and two other soldiers were injured. Israeli troops and tanks also pressed the ground campaign against Hamas militants in the south of the enclave after having largely gained control of the now-devastated north.
05 December,2023 03:20 PM IST
Israel-Hamas Conflict: IDF resumed combat operations against Hamas after accusing latter of violating a temporary truce. Soon after Hamas fired missiles toward Israeli territory, IDF ‘restarted’ combat operations against militant group. In the hour before the truce was set to end, Hamas-affiliated media also reported sounds of explosions and gunfire in Gaza. The seven-day pause began on November 24 and was extended twice, allowing for the exchange of dozens of hostages. Notably, a temporary truce between Israel, Hamas militants expired on November 30, with neither side announcing a deal to extend it. Watch the full video for more details!
01 December,2023 03:58 PM IST | Mumbai
After one and half months of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israeli PM Netanyahu on Nov 26 entered war-torn Gaza. Netanyahu met with security forces inside the Gaza Strip and took the security briefing from IDF officials. Israeli PM, during his interaction, motivated the soldiers and said that nothing can stop Israel from achieving its goals. PM Netanyahu’s visit took place on the third day of a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, Netanyahu affirmed that Israel will continue its counterstrike on Hamas once a temporary truce comes to an end. Under the mediation by Qatar and Egypt, Hamas and Israel had reached the 4-day humanitarian ceasefire.
27 November,2023 01:07 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
