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Friday, May 22, 2026

Strait Of Hormuz Standoff Deepens As US-Iran Deadlock Triggers Global Alarm

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru Deadlocked, dysfunctional and dangerous. That is how the Strait of Hormuz standoff is increasingly being described. Now approaching its fourth month, the crisis off Iran's coast is marked by mutual blockades. Tehran has been charging ships up to $2 million (€1.73 million) for safe passage through the strait, while the United States has imposed a naval embargo, turning back vessels carrying Iranian oil exports. These competing blockades have failed to deliver decisive results. Some Iranian ships continue to slip through, while several Asian shipping firms have agreed to pay tolls, despite such fees violating international maritime law. Fragile negotiations between the US and Iran to reopen Hormuz have, meanwhile, stalled several times, sparking the risk of escalation into a wider regional conflict. <h2>Which Side Will Fold First?</h2> Despite Pakistan-led mediation efforts and a proposed one-page memorandum aimed at ending hostilities and reopening Hormuz, neither side appears ready to blink first. Dania Thafer, executive director of the Washington-based think tank Gulf International Forum (GIF), believes US President Donald Trump's on-off military threats — intended to increase its leverage over Iran — may have backfired. "The Iranian response suggests the opposite," she told DW. "They interpret it as the US lacking the will to escalate the war." Trump faces increasing pressure both at home and abroad to avoid further military action, with Gulf allies such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar urging restraint. Surging oil prices and rising domestic inflation are adding political heat ahead of the US midterm elections in November. <h2>Iran's Oil Revenues Depleting Fast</h2> Iran, meanwhile, is losing some $435 million per day in trade, nearly two-thirds of which comes from exports of mainly crude oil, Miad Maleki, a senior fellow at the conservative Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), estimated in April. This means that with the US blockade stretching to 39 days on Friday, Iran's public finances have already suffered an estimated $17 billion loss. According to Maleki, this is in addition to around $144 billion in economic damage caused by US-Israeli strikes in the first weeks of the war. Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow at the London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), thinks Iran may have gained "outsized leverage" through its missile attacks on shipping and Gulf neighbors, but it is now being "hit hard" by the disruption to its own oil exports. "Despite Tehran's bluster about regime resilience, its economy is not blockade-proof," Ozcelik told DW. <h2>Gulf States Caught In Crossfire</h2> Experts describe the standoff as a dangerous waiting game. Both the US and Iran believe they have time on their side. However, the Gulf states are far more risk-averse and economically exposed. Their frustration with the deadlock has hardened into coordinated pressure for a diplomatic breakthrough. Various Gulf states have urged Trump to shelve plans for further strikes and give negotiations more time. In private, they've warned that a frozen conflict will jeopardize plans to transition their economies away from fossil fuels. The Gulf states have been spending hundreds of billions of dollars on ambitious industrial and tourism projects. They strongly support the Pakistan‑mediated talks and a joint US–UN initiative to reopen the Strait without Iranian tolls or control claims. <h2>Iran Seeks Regional Security Hegemony</h2> As a power that sees itself reshaping the Middle East region, Iran is also using the war to push for long‑term gains. GIF's Thafer thinks Iran's ambitions go well beyond war victory and it will try to seek to "flip the regional order in its favor" in the long term. It wants "the Gulf states to expel the US and bring the region under an Iranian security framework," she told DW, adding that this approach was not in the interest of Gulf states, despite their frustrations with Washington. While remaining cautiously optimistic about a breakthrough in talks, Washington is insisting on a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an end to all Iranian nuclear enrichment activity and no sanctions relief without major concessions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NATO foreign ministers gathered in Sweden on Friday that "we have to have a Plan B" if Iran does not compromise. "The challenge is that there is no magic target that the US can hit that will immediately translate into regime surrender," Ozcelik told DW. "If civilian infrastructure is targeted, this may trigger Tehran to execute a harsher retaliation against Gulf states." <h2>Among Iranians, Pain Worsens</h2> Tehran maintains it will stand firm, despite the growing hardship facing ordinary Iranians, which is unlikely to ease soon. "Tehran's various proposals to extract fees for transiting the Strait of Hormuz or charging for undersea cables is indicative of the realization by some pragmatic voices in Tehran that the Iranian economy and its people are in for a protracted period of hardship, even if sanction relief is somehow agreed," Ozcelik said. Annual inflation in Iran has surged above 54%, with prices for some food products more than doubling. A nationwide internet blackout has lasted more than 80 days, further isolating citizens and crippling daily life. "While Trump sees this [winning the war] as part of his presidential legacy, the Iranians view it as a matter of regime survival and the future of their country," Thafer underlined. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/strait-of-hormuz-standoff-deepens-as-us-iran-deadlock-triggers-global-alarm-1845499

‘India Is A Great Ally’: Marco Rubio Begins First India Visit As US Secretary Of State

<div class="qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot"> <div class="" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:2ecae202-e9fd-45c7-b1b9-c2c0958cfd9b-28" data-is-intersecting="true"> <section class="text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [&:has([data-writing-block])>*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:2ecae202-e9fd-45c7-b1b9-c2c0958cfd9b-28" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:2ecae202-e9fd-45c7-b1b9-c2c0958cfd9b-28" data-testid="conversation-turn-58" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="assistant"> <div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)"> <div class="[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn"> <div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow"> <div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&]:mt-1" dir="auto" tabindex="0" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="0c6ab534-604f-4f27-9998-ff6afceee81d" data-turn-start-message="true" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden"> <div class="markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling"> US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Friday expressed excitement over the upcoming visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to India. “Just got a call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio — he’s taking off for India right now! Excited for this important trip!” Gor wrote on X. <h2 data-section-id="g38qbj" data-start="1062" data-end="1100">Rubio To Hold Talks With Jaishankar</h2> Rubio is scheduled to hold extensive discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday. The top US diplomat will also participate in the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. Speaking ahead of the visit on Friday, Rubio said, “There’s a lot to work on with India, they’re a great ally and partner. We do a lot of good work with them, so this is an important trip.” <h2 data-section-id="1125wia" data-start="1530" data-end="1576">Visits To Kolkata, Agra And Jaipur Expected</h2> Apart from official engagements in the national capital, Rubio is also expected to travel to Kolkata, Agra and Jaipur, according to sources familiar with the matter, PTI reported. This will be Rubio’s first visit to India since assuming office as secretary of state last year. <h2 data-section-id="1r7a738" data-start="1951" data-end="2003">Quad Meeting To Focus On Indo-Pacific Cooperation</h2> Jaishankar will host his counterparts — Penny Wong of Australia, Toshimitsu Motegi of Japan, and Rubio — at Hyderabad House for the upcoming Quad meeting. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions will build on the July 2025 meeting held in Washington and remain aligned with the Quad’s shared objective of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. The ministers are expected to review progress on ongoing Quad initiatives, discuss strengthening cooperation in key areas, and exchange views on developments in the Indo-Pacific and other global issues of mutual interest. <h2 data-section-id="1rktqmb" data-start="2653" data-end="2687">West Asia Crisis Also On Agenda</h2> Both sides are also expected to discuss the ongoing crisis in West Asia and its economic implications, particularly concerns related to energy supplies. The foreign ministers of Australia, Japan and the United States are also scheduled to hold separate bilateral meetings with Jaishankar and are expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ministry added. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-is-a-great-ally-marco-rubio-begins-first-india-visit-as-us-secretary-of-state-1845496

Thursday, May 21, 2026

New Delhi Can Buy As Much US Oil As It Wants: Marco Rubio Ahead Of India Visit

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said Washington is prepared to sell India as much energy as it is willing to purchase, underscoring growing energy cooperation between the two countries ahead of his first official visit to India. Speaking to reporters in Miami before departing for Sweden and India, Rubio described India as a “great ally and partner” and stressed the importance of the upcoming trip, which will also include a meeting of Quad foreign ministers in New Delhi. “We do a lot of good work with them. And so it is an important trip. I’m glad we’re able to do it because I think there’ll be a lot for us to talk about,” Rubio said. <h2>Energy Cooperation Takes Centre Stage</h2> Rubio’s remarks come against the backdrop of a continuing global energy crisis following the US-Iran conflict, with energy security emerging as a major theme in Washington’s engagement with New Delhi. “Well, we want to sell them as much energy as they’ll buy. And obviously, you’ve seen I think we’re at historic levels of US production, and US export,” Rubio said while outlining America’s expanding energy ambitions. The US Secretary of State added that Washington wants a greater role in India’s energy mix and confirmed that discussions with Indian officials on expanding cooperation are already underway. “We want to be able to do more. We were already in talks with them to do more. We want them to be a bigger part of their portfolio. We also think there are opportunities with Venezuelan oil,” Rubio said. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/CMZNs0h" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khamenei Draws Red Line On Uranium Stockpile, Escalates Standoff With US And Israel</a> <h2>Venezuela Oil Talks Add New Dimension</h2> Rubio also revealed that Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, is expected to visit India next week for discussions related to oil sales, adding a fresh geopolitical dimension to energy negotiations involving New Delhi. His comments marked an unusual diplomatic disclosure, as the announcement regarding Rodriguez’s travel plans came directly from a US official. The reference to Venezuelan oil comes months after US President Donald Trump first mentioned India’s potential purchases from Venezuela while announcing a broader trade agreement between Washington and New Delhi in February. That deal included a reduction in reciprocal tariffs on Indian imports to 18 per cent from 25 per cent. The developments signal a wider push by Washington to deepen energy and trade engagement with India at a time of shifting global supply chains and geopolitical uncertainty. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/8HZylzF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pulwama Attack Mastermind Hamza Burhan Shot Dead By Unknown Assailants In PoK</a> <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yVrtlhjYf3c?si=vtcGULjq26WvLh6j" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h2>Quad Meeting in Focus During India Visit</h2> Rubio will visit India from May 23 to May 26, with stops planned in New Delhi, Kolkata, Agra and Jaipur. The trip will focus on trade, defence, energy and regional security cooperation. A key highlight of the visit will be the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for May 26 in New Delhi. Rubio said the grouping remains an important strategic platform for the United States. “We’ll also meet with Quad there, which is important. I think my first meeting as Secretary of State was with the Quad. I’m glad we are able to do it now in India, and we’re going to do one later in the year as well,” he said. The Quad meeting is expected to be attended by Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar presiding over the discussions. Rubio’s India tour will also include a stop in Kolkata, making him the first US Secretary of State to visit the city in nearly 14 years. The last such visit was by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2012. Kolkata also houses the US Consulate General, America’s second-oldest consulate in the world.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/marco-rubio-india-visit-new-delhi-can-buy-as-much-us-oil-as-it-wants-1845268

Germany Signals Readiness To Take Bigger NATO Leadership Role

Edited by: Sean Sinico Ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in the Swedish port city of Helsingborg on Thursday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressed Berlin's readiness to assume greater leadership responsibility in NATO. "Our goal is a new burden-sharing arrangement that reflects Germany's and Europe's economic and military potential," he said in Berlin before departing for Sweden, adding that "Germany is accepting its leadership responsibility." "We want a stronger NATO with a greater role for Europe," Wadephul said. "To achieve this, we want to pool the capabilities of our industries through more intensive defense cooperation." The minister added that Germany wants to reach NATO's 5% spending target and strengthen its defense capabilities as quickly as possible. At the 2025 NATO summit, the alliance agreed that member states should invest at least 3.5% of their gross domestic product in defense spending in the future. An additional 1.5% is to be allocated to defense-related spending, such as infrastructure, bringing the total target to 5% annually by 2035. <h2>Rutte: Many members 'not spending enough' to support Ukraine</h2> Wadephul also announced that he intends to make "concrete proposals" on "how we can continue to strongly support Ukraine in defending freedom in Europe." This includes ways in which NATO can benefit from the Ukrainian defense industry's impressive achievements, according to the German minister. Meanwhile, Mark Rutte, the chief of the military alliance, said that many NATO members are not contributing enough money to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion. Rutte told reporters in the Swedish city of Helsingborg ahead of the NATO ministers' meeting that aid to Ukraine "is not evenly distributed now within NATO." "There is a limited amount of countries, including Sweden which is really punching above its weight when it comes to the support for Ukraine, and other countries like Canada and Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway and also a couple of others," he said. "But there are also many not spending enough when it comes to the support for Ukraine," he added. <h2>Rubio criticizes NATO's refusal to help on Iran</h2> In addition to bolstering Europe's defenses, the ministers are also set to discuss the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during their meeting in Helsingborg. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected in Sweden on Friday. As he headed to the summit, he renewed his criticism of NATO for not supporting the US war on Iran. President Donald Trump is "not asking them to send their fighter jets in. But they refuse to do anything," Rubio told reporters. "We were very upset about that." Recently, following critical remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump announced the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany. There has also been confusion over whether the deployment of thousands of troops to Poland will proceed as planned. (Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/germany-signals-readiness-to-take-bigger-nato-leadership-role-1845259

OPINION | India-Bangladesh Bilateral Relations: No Clear Reset In Sight

On August 5, 2024, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power following violent protests that began with the students of Bangladesh and were eventually taken up by civilians. This event signaled a clear message to the world: Bangladesh is changing, undergoing a significant socio-political transformation, and seeking a new sovereign identity. However, India, as Bangladesh's immediate and closest neighbor, has failed to recognize this shift and continues to misinterpret the emerging realities in the country. Bangladesh went to the polls on February 12. The outcome, as expected, witnessed the comeback of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tarique Rahman, who returned to the country after living abroad for 17 years, what was being touted as a self-imposed exile. Rahman’s entry into Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape did not come as a surprise either to Dhaka’s neighbours or to other partners like the United States or China. Both the U.S. as well as China did not want the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), which is in opposition now, to come to power despite its massive resurgence in the country, especially in the rural areas. India, which has been completely aligned with the former Bangladesh Awami League government led by Hasina, started reaching out to Rahman upon his return to the country on December25, 2025. India even dispatched External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to attend Rahman’s mother and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia’s funeral despite peak tensions between Delhi and Dhaka. The main cause for the tensions, which gave rise to an acrimonious relationship between the two former friendly countries, was the coming in of the interim government that ruled the country from August 2024 till February 2025, under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. During Yunus’ tenure, the relationship between Delhi and Dhaka deteriorated significantly, reaching levels of tension not experienced in the last two decades. India expressed strong disapproval of the interim administration in Bangladesh, referring to its establishment as "illegal and unconstitutional." This discontent was further fuelled by reports of targeted attacks and violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, prompting India to voice its concerns. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/blog/brics-foreign-ministers-meet-sparks-optimism-for-a-productive-summit-iran-us-war-live-news-update-1843679">BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meet Sparks Optimism For A Productive Summit</a> In reaction to the escalating situation, both nations took steps to limit diplomatic exchanges, particularly in relation to visa issuance. Each government cited security concerns as the primary reason for these measures. The Bangladeshi interim government went so far as to suspend all non-essential visa categories for Indian citizens, allowing only for business and employment visas to remain operational. This decision was taken, according to the then interim administration, as a precautionary move following a series of threats and acts of vandalism directed at its diplomatic missions, notably in Kolkata and Agartala, as well as violent protests that occurred outside the Bangladeshi High Commission in New Delhi. These actions reflected the growing distrust and volatility between the two nations, underscoring the fragility of diplomatic relations amid internal strife and external pressures. As a consequence, both diplomatic missions saw an increase in security measures, and the safety of diplomatic staff became a pressing concern as tensions persisted. The ongoing unrest not only affected bilateral ties but also raised alarm over the safety and well-being of minority communities within Bangladesh, further complicating an already fraught diplomatic landscape. Meanwhile, the interim government also imposed a ban on the Awami League party disallowing it from participating in the elections. On the other hand, Hasina, who continues to live in a secret location in India, has been granted complete freedom to address her party workers, followers and the media through social media platforms and other backchannels. This also added to the growing tensions as Hasina continued to lambast the Yunus-led caretaker government as well as the BNP after it came to power. She has even accused that after her departure from the country there has been a sharp spike in militancy and terrorism-an allegation that has been vehemently denied by Yunus, BNP as well as BJI. <h2>Distrust Remains</h2> However, it was expected that with the arrival of a democratically elected and stable government in Dhaka, there would be a reset in the bilateral relationship. While the issuance of visas have resumed, some of the recent developments between both countries have given rise to more tensions. Prime Minister Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony on February 17, was attended by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Subsequently, on March 20, Jaishankar met Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah for the first time since he assumed charge on April 7, 2025. This paved the way for the much-awaited visit of Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, to India, along with Humayun Kabir, the Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. While India wanted to treat this visit as an “official visit”, Dhaka sought to play it down and called it to be a “goodwill visit”. During his meetings with Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval, Rahman expressed Dhaka’s concerns over their national security, with particular focus on river water sharing and border killings, which has been marked by the current dispensation in Dhaka as the topmost priority areas in order to smoothen the tensed bilateral ties. It needs to be noted here that Rahman in his earlier avatar as the National Security Advisor (NSA) of Bangladesh came to New Delhi to meet his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval. Rahman was the NSA under the interim government of Bangladesh. During his visit, the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister has reiterated that renewal of the three-decades old Ganges Water Treaty, which expires in December 2026, is their topmost priority. He also told his Indian counterpart to decisively address the equitable sharing of vital rivers like the Teesta are imperative steps that would transform public perceptions and foster closer ties between the nations. Now that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come to power in West Bengal, the Narendra Modi government will no longer be able to put the blame on the previous state government for not accommodating Bangladesh’s long-standing request on the River Teesta. Water is a state subject under the Constitution of India, therefore, the state government’s consent is key in transboundary river water sharing. The Teesta deal was set to be signed during former PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh in September 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to objections raised by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The current Chief Minister of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari is expected to come under pressure to take an opposite stance in this contentious matter. Adhikari had placed the issue of illegal infiltration from Bangladesh at the center of his election campaign. His rhetoric and remarks frequently targeted Bangladesh in connection with border security, demographic concerns, and communal sentiments. The Teesta River flows through Sikkim and then enters West Bengal before finally merging with the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Jamuna in Bangladesh. There are 54 rivers that pass through the Indo-Bangladesh border. On September 6, 2022, India and Bangladesh had signed a key treaty to share the water of a key transboundary river, Kushiyara. When Prime Minister Modi came to power in May 2014, he had promised as part of his ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy that the Teesta matter would be settled. Coming to the issue of border management, India and Bangladesh share a 4,156 km long border which remains heavily militarized in order to curb cross-border crimes and illegal immigration. While India has fenced approximately 3,271 km, ongoing construction in disputed areas remains a source of diplomatic friction. The use of lethal force by the Border Security Force (BSF) continues to cause bilateral tensions. Meanwhile, a recent interview given by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to an Indian media outlet has once again given rise to tensions between both countries. In the interview, Sarma said, “The 4,156 km India-Bangladesh border is heavily militarized to curb cross-border crimes and illegal immigration. While India has fenced approximately 3,271 km, ongoing construction in disputed areas remains a source of diplomatic friction. The use of lethal force by the Border Security Force (BSF) continues to cause bilateral tensions.” He also said, his government “pushed back” illegal immigrants across the border during night time. Bangladesh is also up in arms over recent remarks made by the Ministry of External Affairs over India’s long-pending request to Dhaka to verify the nationality of over 2,860 people whom “we think are Bangladeshi nationals, and they are staying here in India. We are yet to get a response on this particular matter.” On the other hand, Dhaka’s proximity with China and Pakistan has also rattled New Delhi. After Bangladesh Foreign Minister Rahman’s visit to China, Prime Minister Rahman is expected to undertake his first official state visit to Beijing. In an unprecedented move, Dhaka has also decided to send its civil servants for training in Pakistan-a first since Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. Therefore, a reset between India and Bangladesh, once considered the closest of neighbours in the region, is still a distant goal. The Modi government is seeking ways to improve diplomatic relations, and a significant step in this direction is the recent appointment of Dinesh Trivedi as New Delhi’s envoy to Bangladesh. By choosing Trivedi, a seasoned politician rather than a traditional career diplomat, India aims to convey to Dhaka that fostering stronger political ties is currently its highest priority. This decision suggests an intent to approach diplomatic relations with a fresh perspective and to engage more directly at the political level. However, despite this hopeful development, the journey towards rebuilding trust and cooperation remains fraught with challenges. Historical grievances, differing political agendas, and growing bilateral tensions continue to complicate the path forward, making the task of establishing a renewed partnership between the two countries a complex and formidable undertaking. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/blog/opinion-delhi-must-listen-to-ladakh-s-demands-ignoring-can-prove-costly-1842071">OPINION | Delhi Must Listen To Ladakh's Demands, Ignoring Can Prove Costly</a> Nayanima Basu is a senior independent journalist. [Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.]

source https://news.abplive.com/blog/india-bangladesh-bilateral-relations-no-clear-reset-in-sight-1845249

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Trump Delayed Iran Strike After Gulf Allies Warned Against War During Hajj: Report

US President Donald Trump reportedly postponed a planned military strike on Iran this week after Gulf allies and senior officials urged him not to reignite conflict during the Hajj pilgrimage season. According to Trump, the United States was close to launching fresh attacks before he unexpectedly announced on social media Monday that diplomacy would be given more time. Speaking a day later, Trump said US military assets in the region were fully prepared for action. “They’re loaded to the brim,” Trump said Tuesday while referring to US warships deployed in the region. “And we were all set to start.” <h2>Gulf Allies Push for Restraint</h2> Despite the military build-up, officials familiar with the discussions said Trump remains hesitant about returning to war with Iran and would rather pursue a negotiated settlement. The Trump administration held separate conversations with the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates while Trump was preparing to give final approval for military action, reported CNN quoting regional sources. During those discussions, Gulf leaders reportedly pressed Washington to delay any strikes and allow diplomatic efforts to continue. One source told CNN that Gulf nations feared Iran would retaliate against them if the US resumed bombing, similar to Tehran’s response at the beginning of the conflict. Another official said Gulf leaders presented “a unified front” in urging restraint from the Trump administration, with Hajj season being a data point.  ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/KtNSV7s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Warns Iran: ‘Agree To A Deal Or Face Some Nasty Things’</a> <h2>Hajj Season Became a Key Concern</h2> The timing of any potential military action emerged as a major issue during the discussions. Gulf leaders reportedly highlighted that the region is currently in the middle of the Hajj season, one of the most significant periods in Islam, when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. According to two senior Gulf officials cited by UK-based Middle East Eye, Trump was warned that launching attacks on Iran during Hajj could trigger a wider crisis across Gulf states. Officials feared that renewed conflict could leave large numbers of pilgrims stranded in the region. The report also stated that Gulf officials warned the US administration that military action during the holy period leading up to Eid al-Adha could further damage Washington’s standing across the Muslim world. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/8izLChe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump Says He Could Be Israel PM, Claims Netanyahu ‘Will Do Whatever I Want’</a> <h2>Diplomatic Efforts Continue Behind the Scenes</h2> A senior US official familiar with internal discussions within the Trump administration confirmed to Middle East Eye that the conversations with Gulf leaders had taken place. During the talks, Gulf nations reportedly argued that diplomatic efforts, including Pakistan-led mediation initiatives, were showing “positive momentum” and deserved additional time.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-trump-delayed-iran-strike-after-gulf-allies-warned-against-war-during-hajj-report-1845034

Unidentified gunmen kill 3 under-custody bank robbers in Pak's Peshawar

Peshawar, May 21 (PTI): Three under-custody suspected bank robbers have been shot dead after unidentified armed men opened fire on a police team escorting them in northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar, police said.The incident occurred within the limits of Machni Gate Police Station when unknown assailants attacked an investigation team escorting the suspects during the course of interrogation and identification of crime scenes, a police official said late on Wednesday. According to police, the deceased suspects were identified as Muhammad Shoaib, Muhammad Umar alias Wajahat and Muhammad Imad and were allegedly involved in bank robberies and the killing of a police personnel.Police said the suspects had been taken to Allied Bank in the Pir Bala area on Warsak Road to complete legal formalities and identify the scene of a previous robbery.During the operation, three pistols allegedly used in the bank robbery were recovered from a nearby location after being identified by the suspects.Officials said the police team was later transporting the suspects to another alleged planning site when unidentified motorcyclists opened indiscriminate fire near Northern Bypass in an apparent attempt to free their accomplices.The station house officer (SHO) and another policeman survived after bullets struck their bulletproof jackets and helmets, while the official police vehicle sustained damage in the attack.Police said the three under-custody suspects were fatally hit during the exchange of fire, while the attackers managed to flee the scene.Following the incident, SP Warsak Division Muhammad Arshad Khan reached the site along with a heavy police contingent, and investigators collected evidence from the area.Authorities said a search operation has been launched across the Warsak Division to arrest the fleeing attackers, while security and snap-checking at entry and exit points have been intensified.According to police, the deceased suspects were wanted in multiple cases, including the killing of a security guard during a bank robbery on Kohat Road on January 20, 2026, and the killing of Additional SHO Bahar Ali during an attempted bank robbery in Pir Bala on Warsak Road on March 6, 2026. PTI AYZ RD RD RD(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/unidentified-gunmen-kill-3-under-custody-bank-robbers-in-pak-s-peshawar-1845032