INTERNATIONAL

The United States President Joe Biden communicated a clear message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their recent phone conversation, according to reports from multiple US media outlets, including Axios and CNN, Biden unequivocally stated that the United States would not provide assistance or support for any potential Israeli counterattacks targeting Iran. The president emphasized his administration's stance against such retaliatory actions and underscored the importance of diplomatic approaches in addressing regional tensions. This exchange highlights a significant shift in US-Israeli relations under the Biden administration and signals a renewed emphasis on diplomatic solutions to complex geopolitical challenges.

Check the live updates below Iran has retaliated attack on its embassy in Syria by launching a drone assault on Israel, as per Israeli media. The deployment of these drones suggests a meticulously planned operation, as they would require several hours to traverse the considerable distance between the two nations. Only Israel and America have so confirmed the attack, however, Iran has not issued any official statement. This attack, not confirmed by Iran as of yet, comes in the wake of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel following the tragic killing of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two high-ranking generals, in Damascus, Syria, just last week. Pertinently the UN, US or the western allies of Israel did not condemn the attack, howev...

Iranian forces seized the Portuguese ship "MCS ARIES" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, as reported by Israeli media. The ship is currently sailing in the Persian Gulf, according to Marine Traffic, a ship tracking site. Israeli media outlets mentioned that the MSC Aries is believed to be linked to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Maritime Shipping Company. Al Hadath, a Saudi news outlet, confirmed Iran's seizure, stating that the ship seized was a commercial vessel carrying containers and was en route to India. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident, stating that a vessel was seized by "regional authorities" 50 nautical miles northeast of the United Arab Emirates' Fujairah. Although UKMTO did not specify the authorities involved, both reports in...

The Israeli intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet have reported to the Israel war cabinet that Iran could conduct a minor drone attack on Israeli military establishments. Sources in Israel’s Defence Ministry told IANS that the agencies have informed that Iran would not go for a major attack on Israel and that missiles may not be used. A senior official with Israel’s Defence Ministry, while speaking to IANS, said: “Iran will not attack Israel in a major way and might go for a drone attack. However, Israel is well prepared for that.” US President Joe Biden has already warned Iran against a possible attack. Meanwhile, Israel Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, on Friday, said: “The world is seeing the true face of Iran, the terrorist body that incites terror attack across the Midd...

In a significant development, Turkey has declined the United States' request to use its airspace for potential attacks on Iran. This refusal adds to a series of similar denials from Kuwait, Jordan, and Qatar who had denied USA the permission to allow its bases to attack Iran. The Gulf countries have also advised the US against utilizing American military bases within their territories for potential strikes in response to any Iranian attacks on Israel, Middle East Eye reported. Quoting a senior US official, the newspaper reported that the official said that the Gulf allies of the US are actively working to "prevent any connections" that could implicate them in a US retaliation against Tehran or its allies from bases located within their kingdoms. Iran, believed to be aiding, Pal...

Amid a fresh warning that Iran will attack Israel within 48 hours, the United States of America has said that Iran should not engage in any provocative actions. "They will have to respond. It is directly state involvement. They bombed our embassy in Syria and they will have to pay for this. The U.S. and the western countries rather than condemning the action are lecturing us. We will respond," Iran Foreign minister has said. Meanwhile, several countries including India have issued warnings to their citizens asking them not to travel to Israel. Russia and China have issued a stern warning to America and Israel to condemn the action and not launch attacks on Iran, if they retaliate. 'West is destine to fail, no matter how much blackmail they use' - Lavrov,  Russian Foreign Minist...

Israel was on alert Thursday after its arch-foe Iran threatened reprisals over a strike in Syria this month that killed two Iranian generals, and as the war against Hamas ground on in Gaza. Days after Israel strengthened its air defences and paused leave for combat units, the United States also warned of the risk of an attack by Iran or its allied groups at a time when Middle East tensions have soared. Iran is "threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel", US President Joe Biden said Wednesday, pledging "ironclad" support for its top regional ally despite diplomatic tensions over Israel's military conduct in Gaza. Israel was widely blamed for an April 1 attack that destroyed Iran's consulate building in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, including two general...

Observatories in Saudi Arabia have not sighted the Shawwal crescent this evening, news reports said. Tuesday, 9 April will mark the completion of Ramadan (30 days) and Eid al-Fitr will fall on Wednesday, 10 April 2024. Eid al-Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting in Islam, where Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn till dusk. Known as the "festival of breaking the fast," Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Its timing varies globally, dependent on the sighting of the new moon, leading to celebrations occurring on different dates in different regions. Abdullah Al-Khudairi, an observer, noted that the sighting of the crescent moon might be hindered by the cloudy sky, However, he antic...

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei has agreed to pardon or commute the sentences of over 2,000 prisoners. On the occasion of Iranian New Year and Eid al-Fitr, Ayatollah Khamenei has agreed to pardon or commute the sentences of 2,127 convicts upon a proposal by Iranian Judiciary Chief Gholmhossein Mohseni-Ejei. The prisoners had been sentenced in public and revolution courts, the Discretionary Punishments Organization Of Iran, and the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces

Israeli embassies worldwide shut down on Friday amidst heightened tensions, as the Israeli military prepared for potential reprisals from Iran. The closure came in the wake of a strike in Syria, believed to be conducted by Israel, which resulted in the deaths of senior officers from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Israeli media reported that the embassy closures were a precautionary measure against Iran's threats of retaliation for an attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. This decision coincided with "Quds Day," observed on the last Friday of Ramadan. The strike in Damascus claimed the life of Mohammad Reza Zahedi, commander of the IRGC Quds Force's Syria and Lebanon command, along with six other IRGC officers. The funerals for Zahedi and the other offic...