Latest News
In a pact to end the conflict, the US and Iran are at odds over nuclear inspections and frozen assets.
Pennsylvania/DUBAI (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into “infinity” but Tehran insisted it had made no such concession in discussions, raising worries about the viability of their fragile peace pact.
The two countries, who held a first round of talks in Switzerland on Monday, also issued conflicting accounts of financial incentives for Iran, control of the Strait of Hormuz and Israel’s parallel war in Lebanon – all major components of their framework deal signed last week to end the war.
Trump said negotiations with Iran, however, were going “very well.” “We’re doing pretty well,” he remarked at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The United States recently eased travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup soccer team allowing it to travel from Tijuana, Mexico to Seattle two days before its next match instead of one.
Trump’s poll numbers suffered as evidence of waning domestic support for the war emerged, and the Republican-controlled Senate rejected the president, voting to end the war in a mostly symbolic vote that underscored divisions within his own party.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated 35% of Americans say the US is in a weaker position with Iran now than before the war, while 23% say it is in a stronger position.
The Senate approved a resolution passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month by a vote of 50-48, as anxiety over the unpopular war that started on February 28 increased even among some of Trump’s Republicans.
It was the first time both houses of Congress passed a resolution to direct a president to withdraw US armed forces from hostilities under the War Powers Act, but it was not immediately obvious how the votes would effect the battle.
RESCUE OF SEAFARERS
The first deal between Washington and Tehran has enabled commerce to resume in the strait, which normally carries a fifth of the world’s energy supply, but the prospects for enduring peace are far from assured.
Trump said Wednesday he has asked the Justice Department to probe oil firms for not cutting pump prices to reflect down crude prices.“Gas prices better drop down a whole lot faster than what I’m seeing!” he commented on social media.
Oil prices dropped over 1% on Wednesday, extending losses for the week and trading near their lowest levels since before the war began on February 28.
The UN maritime agency said it was attempting to evacuate 11,000 seamen stuck after Iran closed the crucial waterway.
The deal requires Iran to allow commerce to pass without hindrance for 60 days, though it has stated it may levy tolls or other taxes on cargo after that period.
Iran and Oman, which controls the other side of the strait, said in a joint statement Tuesday they had “sovereign rights” in the waterway and would work together to regulate traffic and associated expenses.
Oman claimed it had worked with the International Maritime Organisation to set up a temporary corridor for vessels wanting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a tour to Gulf allies alarmed by the peace plan, said any final agreement would not allow Iran to collect tolls in the strait.
The agreement provides for an immediate stop to the war, including in Lebanon, removal of US sanctions on Tehran and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held overseas. It also sets forth a $300 billion fund to invest in reconstruction for the Islamic Republic.
FROZEN ASSETS, CLASH OVER NUCLEAR INSPECTIONS
The framework itself imposed no constraints on Iran’s nuclear program, to be negotiated over 60 days of talks.
Trump said Iran had agreed to provide international inspectors “anytime, anywhere” access to its damaged nuclear installations.”Iran has agreed to the most extensive nuclear inspections ever in perpetuity (Infinity!!!),” Trump said on social media.
Iran denied that it had discussed its nuclear program at the talks and said it had not agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back into the country.
The two sides also disagreed on the terms of a provision that would allow Iran access to monies that have been frozen in international accounts.
Trump said any unfrozen assets would be used to buy food and medical supplies from the US. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said Iran would decide how to spend the money.
Washington has agreed previously to suspend sanctions on Iran for 60 days, allowing Tehran to sell oil and related products and receive payment for them.
Israel’s parallel battle against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon is still also a sticking point.
The pact calls for Israel to pull its troops out of Lebanon, Bahreini added. Israel, however, says it would keep a security zone in southern Lebanon and act to “neutralize” threats to Israeli soldiers and people.
Israeli gunfire killed two people in southern Lebanon on Tuesday even as Israel and Lebanon held new negotiations in Washington, the country’s civil defence and health ministries said, prompting Iran-backed Hezbollah to accuse Israel of breaking a ceasefire that has mainly held since Sunday.
Latest News
According to an audit study, SIM cards were illegally sold in Balochistan under the identities of Punjabi people.
– An audit report has revealed irregularities in the sale and registration of mobile SIM cards in Balochistan, with several SIMs allegedly activated using the identities of citizens from Punjab.
According to the report, seven franchises operating in Balochistan activated around 2,000 SIM cards registered under the names of Punjab residents through illegal means. The findings have raised concerns over the effectiveness of measures taken against those involved in such activities.
The audit noted that despite evidence of fraud, the concerned franchises were only issued show-cause notices. No criminal cases were registered against them, and no financial penalties were imposed.
The report further stated that two telecommunications companies were fined more than Rs1.88 billion and also received show-cause notices; however, the implementation of these decisions remained incomplete.
Audit officials described the lack of strong action against organised fake SIM-related fraud as a serious concern, warning that such practices could raise issues related to national security and the regulatory framework.
The authorities have been advised to ensure immediate recovery of outstanding dues and take effective legal action against those responsible to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Latest News
The PM and President denounce the terrorist attack on Balochistani laborers.
Both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have vehemently denounced the terrorist attack on defenseless laborers in Balochistan’s Washuk area.
In their individual messages, they conveyed their sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the martyrs as well as their profound grief and sorrow at the loss of priceless lives.
Such despicable actions, according to the President and Prime Minister, cannot weaken the country’s determination.
They stated that the security forces are committed to protecting every citizen’s life and property and totally eliminating terrorism from the nation.
The President and Prime Minister declared that Fitna-ul-Hindustan terrorists and those who support them are unworthy of any leniency and will face justice.
Latest News
For the first time, China successfully lands a “SpaceX-style” reusable rocket.
– China has successfully landed a reusable rocket for the first time, marking a “historic breakthrough” for the country’s space technology.
The Long March 10B rocket was launched from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China’s Hainan Province.
After separation of its two stages, the first stage returned and was successfully caught upright on sea-borne net-capture platform.
The rocket also flew a satellite into “its predetermined orbit” on Friday, state news agency Xinhua reported.
“Approximately six minutes after the first and second stages separated, the first stage returned vertically and was successfully recovered at a sea-based recovery platform using a net system,” China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said in a statement.
“It signifies a historic breakthrough for my country in the field of reusable rocket technology and will lay a solid foundation for accelerating the improvement of my country’s space access capabilities,” CASC said.
China’s Long March 10B rocket has been compared to the SpaceX Falcon 9.
Developed by the country’s main state rocket developer, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), it is capable of carrying a payload of at least 16 metric tons to low-Earth orbit.
But unlike the Elon Musk-owned company’s pioneering rocket, the Long March 10B does not autonomously use deployable legs to land on a ship or a ground-based pad.
Instead, it uses “landing hooks” to latch onto the net attached to a sea-borne platform, Xinhua reported.
“Net-based recovery helps simplify the rocket’s onboard structure, reduces vehicle mass and increases payload capacity. It is also highly adaptable to landing-point deviations, as coordinated net systems can effectively expand the capture window,” CALT expert Chen Muye told Chinese state media.
So far, SpaceX has demonstrated rocket recovery in 2015, followed by the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin in November last year.
SpaceX has launched its Falcon 9 nearly 150 times a year, and even reused its recovered rocket dozens of times.
Meanwhile, China has spent nearly a decade developing reusable rockets, first testing low-altitude space vehicles and later experimenting with long-range orbital-class booster recovery.
The Long March-10B rocket is a reusable liquid-fueled vehicle built for commercial launches and stands approximately 63m (206ft) tall with a diameter of 5m (16ft).
Its first stage burns kerosene and liquid oxygen (LOX), while the second stage uses LOX and liquid methane, according to CALT.
-
Latest News2 months agoICC board meeting in India: Mohsin Naqvi gets invitation
-
Business2 months agoThe IMF mission has arrived in Pakistan for discussions regarding the budget.
-
Latest News1 month agoIs the US-Iran standoff exposing deep fault lines in US intelligence coordination?
-
Business2 months agoOil hits 2-week high following drone strike on UAE nuclear power facility
-
Latest News1 month agoShehbaz, Zardari discuss key issues as PPP hints at budget support
-
Latest News2 months agoTo commemorate the anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, top civic and military leaders assemble at Pakistan Monument.
-
Latest News1 month ago7.8 magnitude quake hits southern Philippines\
-
Business2 months agoIn the open market, flour prices increase by Rs 700 per mound.
