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Pakistan: Foreign Minister Claim $300m Was CSF, Not Assistance

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Pakistan: Foreign Minister Claim $300m Was CSF, Not Assistance

Pakistan-US ties have been passing through rough weather after Imran Khan took charge. Pakistan’s new foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has downplayed the US announcement of cancelling $300m aid saying that the amount was not aid or assistance but the reimbursement of Coalition Support Fund (CSF).

While talking to media persons on Sunday evening in Islamabad, Qureshi said “It is our share in CSF. This is the money which Pakistan has already spent through its own resources and (the US) was to reimburse it to us.” He said “This was neither any aid nor assistance.”

On Sunday, Lt-Col Kone Faulkner, the Pentagon spokesman, confirmed that US would be finally cancelling $300m in CSF, which was part of the $1.1 bn suspended in January, reassigning the funds to other projects, “due to lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy”.

Read More: US Cancels $300m Aid to Pakistan for Inaction against Terrorists

The diplomatic row has emerged at a time when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Military Chief General Joseph Dunford is due to visit Islamabad on Wednesday.

Pakistan: Foreign Minister Claim $300m Was CSF, Not AssistanceAccording to Aljazeera, Qureshi has reportedly said that ties between Pakistan and the US are currently “almost non-existent”, but he hoped this would change after Pompeo’s visit.

Qureshi said, “With the visit of the US Secretary of State we have an opening and a beginning can be made, and we will try to build a consensus in areas of mutual interest. It is our shared objective to cleanse the region and the world of terrorism. We will listen to their point of view, and we will present our position to them. Our objective is that we move our relationship forward based on trust, respect and understanding.”

Pompeo and Dunford are expected to hold talks with the Prime Minister Imran Khan and military chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Read More: US Questions Fairness of Pakistan Elections, UN Praises Commitment To Democracy

Pakistan has been receiving Coalition Support Fund (CSF) assistance to reimburse its military for expenditure incurred in its war against armed groups, including Pakistani Taliban.

Neighbouring Afghanistan and US accuse Pakistan of offering safe haven to leaders of Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network involved in waging the ongoing war since the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. However, Pakistan denies that it has aided the terror groups.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who is also vice chairman of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), earlier served as country’s foreign minister from 2008 to 2011 during Yusuf Raza Gilani government.

Read More: Pakistan dismisses US allegations of diplomats’ mistreatment

In February 2011, Qureshi lost the portfolio of foreign minister following Raymond Davis affair when he disclosed the US army soldier and a contractor with CIA, who killed two men in Lahore, did not enjoy diplomatic immunity. US government contended Qureshi’s position.

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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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