Page 4 - Us-iran Tensions

White House seeks $87.6 bn for Iran war, farmers' aid and Ebola response

The White House has formally requested USD 87.6 billion mostly to replenish the Pentagon after the US war against Iran, submitting the request to Congress at a politically difficult time as a majority of lawmakers have objected to any further military action. The Office of Management and Budget sent the supplemental spending request Wednesday. It arrived just hours after President Donald Trump assailed Republican senators during a private lunch -- engaging in a shouting match with one -- over their votes to approve a war powers resolution that would halt further hostilities. The request is mostly for Operation Epic Fury, but it also includes a range of other items including aid to American farmers, help for the Ebola crisis in Africa and other needs closer to home, including restoration projects in Washington, D.C. "I urge the Congress to take action on these important and urgent requests as soon as possible," said OMB Director Russ Vought in a letter to House Speaker Mike ...

Oil prices fall towards pre-war levels as tankers exit Strait of Hormuz

Brent crude futures for August delivery fell 40 cents, or 0.54 per cent, ‌to $73.34 a barrel as of 0004 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate fell 27 cents, or 0.38 per cent, to $70.07 a barrel

US President Donald Trump says Iran is making very big concessions

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran is making "very big concessions", adding that developments remain uncertain

Nuclear site inspections possible only after final US-Iran deal: Iran

An Iranian diplomat rejected comments on Wednesday by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, saying nuclear site inspections would only be possible after a final US-Iran deal. Kazem Gharibabadi, a deputy foreign minister, made the comment on X. He was reacting to remarks earlier in the day by Rafael Mariano Grossi in Japan. "No meeting was held with Grossi in Switzerland, despite his request. Nor is there any plan for access to the facilities that were attacked or to nuclear material," Gharibabadi wrote. "These issues will be reviewed and decided only within the framework of a final agreement and as a result of practical action by the other side to end all sanctions and other measures." He added: "You cannot advance the stir up and take over' policy with media hype.

IAEA chief signals that inspectors will visit Iran's nuclear sites

The head of the UN's nuclear agency on Wednesday signalled that Iranian nuclear enrichment sites would be visited by his inspectors, a key component in the interim deal between the United States and Iran to reach an end to the war. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Mariano Grossi made the comments in Tokyo. "Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it's important, but not essential," Grossi told journalists. "This is going to happen." On Tuesday, Iran and the US disputed whether or not bombed enrichment sites would be inspected. That's key for the deal, which calls for Iran's stockpile of uranium to be "downblended" from highly enriched levels.

Iranian President Pezeshkian invites PM Modi to Ali Khamenei's funeral

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is learnt to have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the burial ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. The funeral ceremonies will be held from July 5 to 9. There is no confirmation from New Delhi on the invitation to PM Modi. Khamenei, who ruled Iran for three decades, was killed on February 28, the first day of massive US and Israeli air strikes on Tehran. The Indian prime minister has been invited by President Pezeshkian to the burial ceremonies, the diplomatic sources said. The funeral is slated to be held in Tehran and Qom on July 5, 6, and 7. The final ceremony will take place in the city of Mashhad on July 9.

Iranian President Pezeshkian invites PM Modi to Ali Khamenei's funeral

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is learnt to have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the burial ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. The funeral ceremonies will be held from July 5 to 9. There is no confirmation from New Delhi on the invitation to PM Modi. Khamenei, who ruled Iran for three decades, was killed on February 28, the first day of massive US and Israeli air strikes on Tehran. The Indian prime minister has been invited by President Pezeshkian to the burial ceremonies, the diplomatic sources said. The funeral is slated to be held in Tehran and Qom on July 5, 6, and 7. The final ceremony will take place in the city of Mashhad on July 9.

India advises against non-essential travel to Iran despite easing situation

India on Wednesday advised its people to continue avoiding all non-essential travel to Iran until further notice, despite recent improvements in the security situation. The Indian Embassy in Tehran said it has been closely monitoring the prevailing security situation in Iran and was issuing a revised advisory in light of recent positive developments and improvements in the overall situation. "Notwithstanding the recent improvements, Indian nationals are advised to continue to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran until further notice," the mission said in its advisory - a copy of which was posted on social media. The mission further advised Indian citizens presently residing in Iran, as well as those who may be required to travel to the country for unavoidable reasons, to exercise a high degree of caution, remain vigilant at all times and maintain constant awareness. It urged them to closely follow local developments through credible sources of information and comply with ...

India advises against non-essential travel to Iran despite easing situation

India on Wednesday advised its people to continue avoiding all non-essential travel to Iran until further notice, despite recent improvements in the security situation. The Indian Embassy in Tehran said it has been closely monitoring the prevailing security situation in Iran and was issuing a revised advisory in light of recent positive developments and improvements in the overall situation. "Notwithstanding the recent improvements, Indian nationals are advised to continue to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran until further notice," the mission said in its advisory - a copy of which was posted on social media. The mission further advised Indian citizens presently residing in Iran, as well as those who may be required to travel to the country for unavoidable reasons, to exercise a high degree of caution, remain vigilant at all times and maintain constant awareness. It urged them to closely follow local developments through credible sources of information and comply with ...

Trump is making big claims about Iran talks, Tehran keeps contradicting him

Trump appears to be describing his preferences as fully negotiated deals, in hopes of locking the Iranians in. The question is whether a succession of such disputes will sink the whole venture

Trump is making big claims about Iran talks, Tehran keeps contradicting him

Trump appears to be describing his preferences as fully negotiated deals, in hopes of locking the Iranians in. The question is whether a succession of such disputes will sink the whole venture

US Senate approves war powers resolution in rebuke to Trump over Iran war

The Senate for the first time approved a war powers resolution Tuesday seeking to block US military action against Iran, as lawmakers warily watch President Donald Trump's efforts to resolve a conflict that the administration launched on its own and now needs Congress to fund. It was the 10th time the Senate has tried to stop the war, and the outcome, on a vote of 50-48, was a stunning turnaround from past efforts. While the resolution is largely symbolic, and does not fully carry the force of law, it reflects the growing concerns from a number of Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate over both the war and the deal Trump struck with Iran to end it. The House approved the resolution earlier this month. "Time after time, the vast majority of Senate Republicans sided with Trump and his war instead of the American people," said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer said Americans have paid the price for "Trump's historic blunder in Iran. It'll go down in the histor

US Senate approves war powers resolution in rebuke to Trump over Iran war

The Senate for the first time approved a war powers resolution Tuesday seeking to block US military action against Iran, as lawmakers warily watch President Donald Trump's efforts to resolve a conflict that the administration launched on its own and now needs Congress to fund. It was the 10th time the Senate has tried to stop the war, and the outcome, on a vote of 50-48, was a stunning turnaround from past efforts. While the resolution is largely symbolic, and does not fully carry the force of law, it reflects the growing concerns from a number of Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate over both the war and the deal Trump struck with Iran to end it. The House approved the resolution earlier this month. "Time after time, the vast majority of Senate Republicans sided with Trump and his war instead of the American people," said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer said Americans have paid the price for "Trump's historic blunder in Iran. It'll go down in the histor

Iran's missile programme was never part of US-Iran talks: Pak PM Sharif

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday clarified that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the US and Iran does not contain any provision related to Tehran's ballistic missile programme. Sharif made these remarks following delegation-level talks during a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was in Pakistan for a one-day state visit. Responding to a question about Iran's nuclear and missile technology, Sharif stated that he would say "without fear of contradiction that Iran's ballistic missile program was not a subject of discussion between the US and Iran...It was not on the table." "It is not possible that others have missiles and Iran does not have them," he said. Iran's missile programme remains a major concern for Israel, which faced hundreds of missiles during the recent conflict. "Our missiles do not like at all to be talked about by anyone," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in an interview with

Iran's missile programme was never part of US-Iran talks: Pak PM Sharif

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday clarified that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the US and Iran does not contain any provision related to Tehran's ballistic missile programme. Sharif made these remarks following delegation-level talks during a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was in Pakistan for a one-day state visit. Responding to a question about Iran's nuclear and missile technology, Sharif stated that he would say "without fear of contradiction that Iran's ballistic missile program was not a subject of discussion between the US and Iran...It was not on the table." "It is not possible that others have missiles and Iran does not have them," he said. Iran's missile programme remains a major concern for Israel, which faced hundreds of missiles during the recent conflict. "Our missiles do not like at all to be talked about by anyone," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in an interview with

Trump admin touts Iran deal as payday for US farmers, Tehran denies it

US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance say their interim deal to end the war with Iran will deliver a financial windfall to American farmers. But the Iranians deny it. And, in the absence of more details, sanctions experts are flummoxed over exactly how billions of dollars' worth of Iranian assets would make their way to the American heartland from the escrow accounts where they have been locked for years by US sanctions. A tentative agreement reached last week would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas once passed, and allow Iran to start selling its oil freely again during a 60-day period when the two countries will continue negotiating key issues. The memorandum of understanding also promised to unfreeze Iranian assets. Trump's deal has come under fire for failing to address the reasons the president cited for going to war with Iran on February 28, including curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions, its missile programme a

Trump admin touts Iran deal as payday for US farmers, Tehran denies it

US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance say their interim deal to end the war with Iran will deliver a financial windfall to American farmers. But the Iranians deny it. And, in the absence of more details, sanctions experts are flummoxed over exactly how billions of dollars' worth of Iranian assets would make their way to the American heartland from the escrow accounts where they have been locked for years by US sanctions. A tentative agreement reached last week would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas once passed, and allow Iran to start selling its oil freely again during a 60-day period when the two countries will continue negotiating key issues. The memorandum of understanding also promised to unfreeze Iranian assets. Trump's deal has come under fire for failing to address the reasons the president cited for going to war with Iran on February 28, including curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions, its missile programme a

11 India-bound ships crossed Hormuz after US-Iran peace MoU: MEA

Eleven India-bound ships have transited through the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Iran finalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to end the West Asia conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. With the US withdrawing sanctions on Iranian petroleum products as part of the peace deal, New Delhi said it is monitoring the developments in West Asia and that its energy sourcing is guided by national interest. "As of today, we have 10 Indian-flagged vessels still in the Persian Gulf region. In addition, two have recently arrived there," MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing. "Since the signing of the MoU on June 17, 11 India bound vessels have transited through the Strait of Hormuz," he said. The vessels include three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers, each carrying over 285,000 MT (Metric Tonnes) of crude oil; one foreign-flagged LPG carrier, one foreign-flagged crude oil tanker and six foreign-flagged bulk carriers , carrying fertilisers, h

India must diversify energy routes, not just suppliers: S&P Global Energy

India's energy security depends on diversifying both suppliers and transport routes as West Asia tensions expose risks linked to the Strait of Hormuz

US, Iran offer conflicting accounts of nuke talks as deal efforts continue

Trump says Iran agreed to inspections; Tehran refutes claims