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
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
During a public rally in Rajasthan's Churu on April 4th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revisited the memory of the 'Balakot airstrike' before reciting his renowned poem "Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki, main desh nahi mitne dunga." He reminisced about being in Churu at the time of the airstrike on February 26th. “When I came to Churu on 26th February 2019, at that time the country had carried out an air strike in Balakot. We had taught a lesson to the terrorists. At that time I had said I would not let Mother India bow down...When our army carried out surgical strikes and air strikes, Congress and the people of this 'Ghamandia' alliance were asking for proof. Dividing the country and insulting our army is the identity of the Congress Party”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
05 April,2024 07:09 PM IST
Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari addressed Aerospace Power in Future Conflicts at 15th Jumbo Majumdar International Seminar in Delhi on March 27. Speaking on Balakot-operations Air, Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari said that given political will, aerospace power can be effectively carried out beyond enemy lines. At the 15th Jumbo Majumdar International Seminar, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari said, “Balakot-like operations have shown that given the political will, aerospace power can be effectively carried out beyond enemy lines, in a no-war, no-peace scenario... Ongoing conflicts across the globe have brought out significant lessons for nations in general and air power in particular..."
27 March,2024 03:29 PM IST
On 26th of March, engineer turned education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, who was on fast over several demands, ended his 21-day ‘Climate Fast’. Hundreds of people joined Wangchuk in Leh as he ended his fast. The climate activist and his supporters have demanded statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The educator accused the BJP government of backtracking from its promise of extending safeguards guaranteed under the sixth schedule of the Constitution to Ladakh. On tuesday, 26th of March ending his fast, Sonam Wangchuk reminded the people ballot power and urged them to use it very carefully in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.
27 March,2024 11:54 AM IST
Reacting to Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan, the US has called on Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil while urging Islamabad to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counter-terrorism efforts, US Department of State Principal Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on March 19 (IST). While addressing a press briefing on March 19, Patel urged the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil. He stressed that the US remains committed to ensuring that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists who wish to harm the US and its allies. Asked about Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan, Vedant Patel responded, "We have seen the reports that Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to the attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan on Saturday at a military post. We deeply regret the loss of life and injustices sustained during the attack in Pakistan and the loss of civilian lives during the strike in Afghanistan. We urge the Taliban to ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil and urge Pakistan to exercise restraint and ensure civilians are not harmed in their counter-terrorism efforts and we urge both sides to address any differences.
19 March,2024 03:33 PM IST
Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar spoke on the 55th session of Human Rights Council. On the 5th Anniversary of Balakot strike, the historic military operation conducted by the Indian Air Force in response to the Pulwama terror attack, S Jaishankar sent a strong message to Pakistan. Calling national security a complicated calculus in today’s times, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted India’s response to Chinese incursions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and towards cross-border terrorism from Pakistan through its ferocious responses in Uri and Balakot
27 February,2024 02:25 PM IST
The US and UK Armed Forces conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Yemen. The attacks were backed by several Western nations including Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand. The strikes targeted areas used by the Houthis to attack international merchant vessels and naval ships in the region. For months, Houthi attack have been disrupting aid bound for Yemen harming Middle Eastern economies. Meanwhile, Houthi military on February 25 said that they targeted an American oil tanker in Gulf of Aden. Houthi Military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said their navy targeted the US-flagged, owned commercial ship, MV Torm Thor. Britain also released a video of Typhoon fighter jets and Voyager tanker aircraft in operation for joint military action against Houthis. The US and Britain have re-designated the Houthis as a terrorist group, after they began targeting commercial vessels.
25 February,2024 05:00 PM IST
Iran’s military has reportedly killed a senior Jaish-al-Adl militant group commander and some of his companions. The armed clash happened inside Pakistan’s territory a month after two countries conducted airstrikes against each other. Notably, this is first such instance after the conclusion of the recent general elections in Pakistan. Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl is designated as a "terrorist" organization by Iran. It is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan (Info Source- Al Arabiya News). The group has a history of carrying out attacks against the Iranian security forces. Weeks after the airstrikes were carried out, two nations mutually agreed to expand security cooperation. In recent times, this is the second such instance when Iran strikes Pakistan. On Jan 16, Iran had carried out airstrikes in Pakistan’s territory and then the latter withdrew its ambassador. On Jan 18, Pakistan retaliated and carried out airstrikes saying that it attacked ‘terrorist militant organisations’. Pakistan had said that they can resolve “misunderstandings” quickly but the recent strike depict the opposite.
24 February,2024 12:00 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
