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
Tensions simmer in Red Sea as Yemen-backed Houthis continue to attack commercial ships, affecting international trade. On January 10, Houthi rebels launched 18 drones over southern Red Sea, according to the US military’s Central Command, reported Al Jazeera. The Houthi rebels, who are an Iran-aligned group, started the strikes in retaliation for Israel’s Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, EAM Dr S Jaishankar on Jan 13 highlighted the ongoing challenges in Red Sea region. The External Affairs Minister raised concern over continuous missiles firing, causing damage to ships by Houthi rebels. Also, US carried out fresh strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen amid escalating tensions in Red Sea, CNN reported. These strikes followed a coordinated attack on approximately 30 Houthi locations the day before. Earlier, US Secy Antony Blinken held a telephonic conversation with EAM Jaishankar on January 11. Both leaders discussed recent attacks on merchant ships by Houthis in the Red Sea, informed State Dept spox Matthew Miller.
16 January,2024 03:52 PM IST
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
Days after, MV Chem Pluto, a merchant ship, was hit by a suspected drone strike in the Arabian Sea near Gujarat coast on Dec 23, India has issued a stern warning to the attackers of the merchant vessels near the Indian sea borders. Defence Minister, in an event in Mumbai, openly said about the India drone strike that “they will hunt down the culprits from the bottom of the sea.” Moreover, Indian Navy also assured that they will take ‘robust action’ and will intensify monitoring. Notably, 20 Indians were onboard the ship during the incident that took place 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast. While, no one has claimed responsibility for the drone strike in the Arabian sea, US Central Command claimed that the drone attack was fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants. Houthi forces in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks as revenge against Israel. However, the Indian Navy on Dec 24 clarified that it wasn’t an India-flagged vessel, as claimed by the US earlier. India, a strong advocate for the free movement of commercial shipping, is monitoring these attacks.
27 December,2023 01:39 PM 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
Days after the drone attack on merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto on Dec 23, the vessel safely reached Mumbai on Dec 25. Soon the vessel reached Mumbai, latest images emerging from the vessel showed the damage caused by the drone attack. The merchant ship, MV Chem Pluto reached Mumbai for damage assessment, repair, and maintenance. Analysis was carried out by Indian Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Team followed by a joint investigation by various agencies. MV Chem Pluto, with 20 Indian and one Vietnamese crew member on Dec 23 caught fire after it was attacked by a suspected drone. The merchant vessel commenced its voyage from the UAE on Dec 19 and was bound for New Mangalore port with an arrival date of Dec 25. Soon after the India drone attack, the Indian Navy deployed multiple Guided Missile Destroyers in various areas of the Arabian Sea. Indian Navy deployed INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata to maintain deterrence. Meanwhile, MV Chem Pluto has been cleared for further operation by its company-in-charge in Mumbai. Houthi forces in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks as revenge against Israel. Meanwhile, India, a strong advocate for the free movement of commercial shipping, is monitoring these attacks.
26 December,2023 11:30 AM ISTADVERTISEMENT
