Acting on the heels of US shutting aid for Palestinian refugees fund at UNRWA, Pentagon has cancelled $300m (£230m) worth of aid to Pakistan,on Saturday, for a perceived failure to decisively fight back against militants.
Lt Col Kone Faulkner, the Pentagon spokesman said, “Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy the remaining $300 (million) was reprogrammed.” The money will be spent” other urgent priorities” if approved by Congress, he added.
He further said that US defence department “is awaiting a congressional determination on whether this reprogramming request will be approved or denied”.
London based Independent writes that the decision came months after US President Donald Trump suggested that the US has repeatedly helped Pakistan, only to be rewarded with “nothing but lies and deceit”.
US Congress stripped $500m (£365m) in coalition support funds from Islamabad earlier this year. This means US has by now removed $800m (£616m) in total.
The US military will now ask Congress for approval to re-appropriate those funds for other priorities.
The Pentagon’s move comes ahead of Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Joseph F Dunford’s visit to Islamabad next week. They will also meet Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Trump administration has alleged that Islamabad is granting safe haven to insurgents who are waging a 17-year-old war in neighbouring Afghanistan, a charge the country has denied.
Present US administration does not like to recall that Washington had funded Afghan Mujahedeen through Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to fight against Russian forces in Afghanistan in 1980s. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about US connivance with Afghan militants in one of her address in Congress. Her video was uploaded on You Tube in March 2011.
See video:
The decision is likely to increase pressure on Islamabad’s security apparatus as Pakistan’s economy continues to struggle, experts have said.
Pakistan is reportedly considering applying for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an international body in which the US has the most number of votes.
On Friday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a meeting with Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif had expressed his country’s support to Iran on multilateral nuclear deal.
Previous Pakistani government headed by Nawaz Sharif had never spoke of this kind of support for Iran, the arch rival of US-Saudi Arabia-Israel axis.
According to reports from Islamabad, detailed discussions were held between the two foreign ministers on regional and global issues including situation in Afghanistan and the US decision to unilaterally withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as JCPOA.
Pakistan’s foreign office statement said, “As regards JCPOA, while supporting Iran’s principled stance, Qureshi expressed the hope that remaining parties to the Agreement would uphold their commitments in letter and spirit.”
Qureshi told his Iranian counterpart that “Pakistan stands with Iran in this hour of need.” The statement said, “This was important given International Atomic Energy Agency repeated verification that Iran has strictly adhered to the terms of agreement.”
Pakistan’s new Prime Minister, Imran Khan has suggested he would shoot down US drones if they enter Pakistani airspace and has been critical of the open-ended US war in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Pakistan has received more than $33bn in US assistance since 2002, including more than $14bn from a fund set up to help allies that incur military costs as they help with counter-insurgency operations.
The US has been exerting pressure on Pakistan to crack down on the alleged militant safe havens along the Afghan border, which is denied by Islamabad. US officials accuse Pakistan of ignoring or even collaborating with terror groups.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
APN News is today the most watched and the most credible and respected news channel in India. APN has been at the forefront of every single news revolution. The channel is being recognized for its in-depth, analytical reportage and hard hitting discussions on burning issues; without any bias or vested interests.