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Pakistan: Caught in the Iran vs Saudi Arabia great game

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Pakistan: Caught in the Iran vs Saudi Arabia great game

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sunni groups in Pakistan have been harassing and abducting Shias, heading to and from Iran, for quite some time.

By Abu Turab

In a rare show of muscle, Iran has warned Pakistan that it will not hesitate in attacking areas “sheltering” terrorists on its soil if it does not tighten control over its borders and stop cross-border attacks in the Siestan-Balochistan province.

The head of Iran’s armed forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri made the comments on Monday in Tehran after two weeks since 10 Iranian border guards were killed near Pakistan territory. Jaish-ul-Adl, a Pakistan-based hardliner Sunni group, which claims to be fighting for gaining independence in the Iranian province, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Jaish-ul-Adl or Army of Justice was also responsible for abducting five Iranian border guards in 2014. Iran, at that time, had also threatened to send its troops into Pakistan to retrieve the abducted guards. However, four guards returned alive after a religious leader helped to resolve the situation. One of the Iranian guards was killed by the Jaish-ul-Adl.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Defence Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan retorted on Sunday to a recent threat from Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman that a Saudi-Iran war will be fought on Iranian soil. Dehghan said that if the Saudis did anything stupid, the Iranian army will hit back and destroy everything in the kingdom except Mecca and Medina, housing the two grand mosques.

He referred to the ongoing Saudi bombing campaign of Yemen and said the Saudis think they can do anything because they have an air force.

In continuation to his earlier remarks, Iran’s Defense Minister said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has become so “miserable” as to ally with Israel against Islamic Republic of Iran. He was speaking to Lebanon-based Arab language Al-Manar TV network owned by Hezbollah.

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had accused Iran of seeking to take over Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia saying, “We won’t wait for the battle to be in Saudi Arabia. Instead, we will work so that the battle is for them in Iran.”

In his reaction to the Saudi royal’s remark, the Iranian Defence Minister said Tehran is neither interested in nor will it occupy any Arab or Muslim country.

According to Press TV, a Tehran-based official English language TV network, Saudi Arabia has been a known sponsor of extremist Wahhabi groups wreaking havoc in the region and beyond. It has also been leading a group of its vassal states in a war on Yemen since March 2015.

Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Major General Mansour al-Turki, was quoted saying to Al-Hayat Arabic newspaper, in December last year, that more than 2000 Saudi citizens have joined radical Islamic terror groups in foreign countries.

On February 22, 2010, Iranian agencies successfully arrested Abdolmalek Rigi, leader of Pakistan-based Jundullah, a Sunni extremist group, while he was flying from Dubai to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He had reportedly met CIA officials in Kabul a day prior to his arrest and was about to meet ‘senior officials’ in the Central Asian country. Iranians forced the plane to land at Bandar Abbas where he was arrested, all this without a single bullet being fired.

Jundullah, or Soldiers of God has been operating since 2002 in the borderlands between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It claims of fighting to defend human rights, culture and faith of ethnic Baluchis, the Sunnis. Tehran alleges that the group receives tactical support form forces with Pakistan’s notorious military intelligence that helped Afghan Taliban. It also alleges Saudi Arabia and CIA for encouraging the armed groups in that country.

Iran’s Intelligence Minister, while addressing a Press Conference in Tehran next day, hailed Rigi’s arrest and displayed pictures of his meeting with CIA officials in Kabul. On February 25, 2010, Iranian state television broadcast footage of a supposed confession made by Rigi, saying he was flying to Central Asia to meet with American handlers at the US-run Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan.

Rigi was hanged in Tehran’s Evin prison in June the same year for his involvement in terrorist attacks in Iran. He was accused of being behind a series of deadly bombings and raids in Siestan-Baluchistan.

Iran has been playing an important advisory role in the fight against Daesh (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria and protecting its western borders from the menace. It has also been engaged on protecting its soil from Sunni armed groups from three sides. Geographically, Iran is surrounded by Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, where Wahhabi-influenced Jaish-ul-Adl, Jundullah, Taliban and Daesh (ISIS) were actively involved in gruesome terror acts.

Experts believe that Pakistan has become the ground for Saudi Arabia’s proxy war against Iran. Pakistan was host to a number of Afghan leaders and millions of refugees while the US was indirectly fighting Russian forces in Afghanistan through Wahhabi-inclined mujahids during the 1980s.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Latest world news

Trump says Iran agrees to never have nuclear weapons, rejects $300 billion fund claim

Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never possess nuclear weapons under a proposed framework, while dismissing reports that the US would provide Tehran with a $300 billion reconstruction fund.

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Donald Trump statement

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has agreed to a commitment that it will never develop or possess nuclear weapons, describing it as a central element of a proposed understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking about the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump also rejected reports suggesting that the United States planned to provide Iran with a reconstruction or investment package worth $300 billion. He described such claims as false and said no such arrangement had been agreed.

The remarks come as discussions continue over a broader framework aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. According to Trump, the understanding would ensure that Iran remains without nuclear weapons while opening the door for future engagement if the terms are respected.

Questions remain over final agreement details

Despite Trump’s comments, several aspects of the proposed arrangement remain unclear because the full text of the agreement has not yet been made public.

Reports indicate that negotiations have involved discussions on sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and potential economic measures linked to Iran’s compliance with future commitments. However, the exact scope of these provisions has not been officially confirmed.

Another key issue is how compliance would be monitored. Details regarding inspections, verification mechanisms and the handling of Iran’s existing nuclear materials have yet to be fully explained.

Further negotiations expected

Officials have suggested that discussions on technical nuclear matters could continue even after the signing of an initial memorandum of understanding. Such talks would likely focus on implementation and verification measures.

The proposed framework is being closely watched internationally, as any agreement between the United States and Iran could have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.

For now, Trump has maintained that the core objective remains clear: ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while denying reports that Washington has committed to a multibillion-dollar reconstruction fund.

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USA start FIFA World Cup 2026 with dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay

The USA opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a dominant 4-1 victory against Paraguay, earning three valuable points in Group D.

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The United States kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, securing a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the hosts delivered an attacking display to collect all three points and make an early statement in the tournament. The match also marked a significant occasion as the USA hosted part of the World Cup opening festivities before turning attention to the action on the pitch.

The Americans took control early and maintained pressure on Paraguay throughout the contest. Their attacking movement and clinical finishing helped them establish a comfortable lead, while Paraguay struggled to contain the hosts’ pace and creativity in the final third.

USA seize control after fast start

The United States settled quickly and found success going forward, creating several opportunities through quick passing and aggressive pressing. Their attacking approach paid off as they built momentum and gradually stretched Paraguay’s defence.

Paraguay attempted to respond and managed to get on the scoresheet, but the South American side found it difficult to match the intensity shown by the hosts. The USA continued to create chances and added further goals to put the result beyond doubt.

With the victory, the United States moved to the top section of Group D and gained an important boost in confidence ahead of their upcoming fixtures in the tournament.

Strong opening result for hosts

A winning start is particularly important in a World Cup campaign, and the USA achieved exactly that with a comprehensive performance. The result gives the hosts valuable momentum as they prepare for the next stage of group play.

For Paraguay, the defeat means they will need a strong response in their remaining group matches to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds alive.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the tournament featuring an expanded format and more participating teams than previous editions.

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Jaishankar raises deaths of three Indian sailors with Marco Rubio, lodges strong protest

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed India’s strong protest to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over an attack that killed three Indian sailors, stressing that lethal action against commercial shipping is unjustified.

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with Marco Rubio and conveyed India’s strong protest over recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.

According to reports, Jaishankar told Rubio that the use of lethal force against commercial shipping was not justified and underlined India’s serious concerns regarding the safety of civilian seafarers operating in the region. The conversation came days after three Indian mariners were killed in an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello near the Oman coast.

The incident has triggered diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Washington. India had earlier summoned a senior US diplomat to register its concerns and seek accountability following the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized that actions endangering civilian shipping undermine maritime safety and stability in a strategically important region.

India reiterates concern over maritime safety

India has stressed the importance of protecting civilian seafarers and ensuring the security of international maritime commerce. Officials have expressed concern over multiple incidents involving Indian crew members in West Asian waters in recent days.

The deaths of the three sailors have also sparked calls within India for stronger diplomatic efforts to safeguard Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in conflict-affected maritime zones.

Background of the incident

The attack involved the tanker Settebello, which was operating near Oman when it was struck during ongoing tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and maritime operations in the Gulf region. Initial reports indicated that Indian crew members were among those affected, and later confirmations established that three Indian sailors had died in the incident.

India has maintained that civilian shipping should not become a target and has continued diplomatic outreach to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers working across global shipping routes.

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