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Pakistan Angry Over New US Afghan Policy

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Pakistan Angry Over New US Afghan Policy

Asks senior US official to postpone Islamabad visit

Donald Trump’s new Afghan policy has caused severe rift in US ties with Pakistan. In an unprecedented move Islamabad has, on Sunday, asked US Acting Assistant Secretary Alice Wells to postpone her visit. She was supposed to land in Pakistan on Monday for a meeting with the civil and military leadership.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif had postponed his scheduled visit to Washington on August 25. Instead he is preparing to leave for Russia, China and Turkey for consultation.

US President, while unveiling his Afghan policy on Tuesday last, said, “We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.  Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan.  It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists.”

He was also quoted saying, “We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting.  But that will have to change, and that will change immediately.”

During the landmark speech, Trump had appreciated India’s contribution in stability in Afghanistan and desired that New Delhi should extend more economic assistance for pursing “shared objectives” for peace and security in South Asia and broader “Indo-Pacific region.”

According to The Nation, US embassy spokesman Richard Snesire has confirmed the development saying, “At the request of the government of Pakistan, Acting Assistant Secretary Wells trip has been postponed until a mutually convenient time.”Pakistan Angry Over New US Afghan Policy

Pakistan’s Foreign Office statement has also said:  “At the request of the government of Pakistan, the visit of the US delegation has been postponed until a mutually convenient time.”

Alice Wells had earlier visited Islamabad during the first week of this month. She was expected to discuss President Donald Trump’s new Afghanistan policy with Pakistani leadership. Ms Wells is also Washington’s acting Special Representative for Afghanistan.

During her earlier introductory trip she held meetings with Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, Finance Minister and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. She also visited New Delhi during that trip.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, during an interview with Bloomberg News in Karachi on Saturday, stressed the need for a political settlement in Afghanistan, saying that “like previous US plans President Donald Trump’s new strategy for the America’s longest-running war in that country will also fail.”

“From day one we have been saying very clearly the military strategy in Afghanistan has not worked and it will not work. We do not intend to allow anybody to fight Afghanistan’s battle on Pakistan’s soil” he said.

Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, while talking to Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) in Sialkot said that world should recognize the sacrifices of Pakistan to wipe out terrorism. “No country has done more than Pakistan to end terrorism and no country has suffered more than Pakistan,” he said.  He further said “We are minutely reviewing the new US strategy about Afghanistan and South Asia”.

In another development US Commander in Afghanistan Gen John W. Nicholson, told Afghani media outlet Tolo News on Saturday that US “knows the Afghan Taliban leadership is in Quetta and Peshawar.”  He also said that US military would continue to put pressure on Taliban sanctuaries inside and outside Afghanistan. He also claimed that the matter of alleged terrorist sanctuaries was being addressed “in private” by Pakistan and US governments.

Responding to Nicholson’s assertions,  Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed, while addressing a four nation meeting on Sunday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, said that Pakistan had  cleared its areas of terrorists. He also assured fullest cooperation to Afghanistan and said that Pakistan could not bring the Afghan war into Pakistan.

Representatives of China, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan participated the meeting of Quadrilateral Counter Terrorism Coordination Mechanism (QCCM) in Tajikistan.Pakistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan participated the meeting of Quadrilateral Counter Terrorism Coordination Mechanism (QCCM) in Tajikistan.

Earlier US State Department was also quoted by the media as having said that terrorists’ heavens existed on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border, demanding Pakistan eliminate them on its side of the border.

Meanwhile, Pakistani police used tear gas shells and batons on Sunday to disperse anti-US protesters in Karachi. A police officer while describing the incident said that police took action when a group of Shiite students tried to march toward the US consulate and an officer was injured in the process. A peaceful “Defense of Pakistan” rally also condemned US policy in Islamabad.

Asif Shahid, a Pakistani journalist writes from Washington, that rescheduling of  Ms Wells’ visit was the second such request from Islamabad in less than a week. Earlier Pakistan had requested rescheduling of Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif visit to Washington, who was expected there on August 25.

He further writes that apparently a third visit of a US delegation led by senior white House National Security Council official Lisa Curtis will also be rescheduled. Ms Curtis has reportedly played key role in formulating new US strategy for South Asia.

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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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