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Monday, March 9, 2026

US Labels Afghanistan ‘State Sponsor Of Wrongful Detention’, Rubio Demands Release Of Americans Held By Taliban

The United States has formally designated Afghanistan as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, escalating pressure on the Taliban over the detention of American citizens. The announcement was made Monday by the Trump administration and coincided with Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, highlighting Washington’s focus on the growing issue of Americans being held overseas. Afghanistan becomes only the second country to receive the designation, after Iran, which was labeled shortly before U.S. military operations against Tehran began. <h3>Rubio Accuses Taliban Of ‘Hostage Diplomacy’</h3> U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply criticised Taliban for detaining foreign nationals and using them as leverage. In a statement, Rubio accused the group of employing tactics associated with terrorism, particularly the kidnapping of individuals for ransom or political bargaining. “These despicable tactics need to end,” Rubio said, warning that Afghanistan continues to pose a serious risk for American travelers due to ongoing detentions of U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals, as per a report on CNN. Rubio also called on the Taliban leadership to immediately release all Americans currently in custody, specifically naming detainees Dennis Coyle and Mahmoud Habibi. <h3>Cases Of Mahmoud Habibi And Dennis Coyle</h3> Among the most prominent cases cited by U.S. officials is that of Mahmoud Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who previously served as Afghanistan’s director of civil aviation. Habibi was detained in Kabul in August 2022 along with several employees of his telecommunications company. Despite repeated inquiries from Washington, the Taliban has never publicly confirmed holding him. The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $5 million for information that could help secure Habibi’s safe recovery and return. Another case drawing attention is that of Dennis Coyle, an academic from Colorado who spent roughly two decades working in Afghanistan. Coyle was detained in January 2025, according to the James Foley Foundation, which advocates for the release of hostages and wrongful detainees worldwide. His detention has further fueled concerns about the safety of foreigners operating in Taliban-controlled areas. <h3>Washington Signals Tougher Approach</h3> The designation marks a significant step in Washington’s strategy to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on the Taliban government. Rubio emphasised that the continued use of detentions as bargaining tools threatens international security and complicates efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. He warned that the United States would continue pursuing measures aimed at securing the release of detained citizens and countering what officials have described as “hostage diplomacy”, reported First Post. By applying the wrongful detention label, the Trump administration is signaling a broader policy approach aimed at confronting governments and groups that use foreign detainees as instruments of political leverage.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-labels-afghanistan-state-sponsor-of-wrongful-detention-rubio-demands-release-of-americans-taliban-1830534

'We'll Determine When': Iran's Reply To Trump's War 'Pretty Much Over' Claim

Iran has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that the war in Iran could end soon, asserting that Tehran, not Washington, will decide when the conflict comes to a close. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that the outcome of the conflict and the future balance of power in the region now lie in the hands of Iranian forces. The statement came after Trump indicated that the fighting against Iran may be short-lived and that the war is "pretty much complete". <h3>Iran Says It Will Decide When War Ends</h3> Responding to Trump’s comments, the IRGC said Tehran would determine when military operations against US and Israeli targets end. “It is we who will determine the end of the war," the IRGC said in a statement. “The equations and future status of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces; American forces will not end the war," it added. <h3>Trump Says Conflict Could Be Short-Lived</h3> Speaking to Republican lawmakers at his golf club near Miami, Trump suggested the war could be brief but warned that the situation could escalate if Iran disrupts global oil supplies. “We took a little excursion to the Middle East to get rid of some evil. And, I think you'll see it's going to be a short-term excursion,” Trump said. In a phone interview with CBS News on Monday afternoon, the president said the conflict could be nearing its end. "I think the war is very complete, pretty much," the president said, speaking from his Doral, Florida, golf club. "[Iran has] no navy, no communications, they've got no air force. Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones." According to the US military, more than 3,000 Iranian targets were struck during the first week of operations. "If you look, they have nothing left. There's nothing left in a military sense," Trump said. Late Sunday, Iran announced that Mojtaba Khamenei would replace his father  Ayatollah Khamenei as the country’s supreme leader. "I have no message for him. None, whatsoever," Trump said, adding that he has someone else in mind to lead the country. <h3>Strait Of Hormuz Shipping Disrupted</h3> Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which about 20 per cent of global oil supply passes, has effectively come to a halt amid the conflict. Trump warned Iran against obstructing the strategic waterway. "They've shot everything they have to shoot, and they better not try anything cute or it's going to be the end of that country. … If they do anything bad, that would be the end of Iran and you'd never hear the name again." He also said the strait was currently open and claimed ships were entering it, but added that he was still “thinking about taking it over.” <h3>Oil Prices Spike As War Continues</h3> The war has disrupted major oil and gas supplies to global markets, pushing fuel prices higher across the US. Oil prices briefly rose to their highest levels since 2022 after Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader, which investors viewed as a signal that Tehran was preparing for a prolonged conflict ten days after the war launched by the US and Israel. However, prices later declined while US stocks rose amid expectations that the war might not last much longer. Meanwhile, Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday about the conflict and other issues. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Russian leader “voiced a few ideas regarding a quick political and diplomatic settlement” of the conflict following discussions with Gulf leaders and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/we-ll-determine-when-iran-replies-donald-trump-war-pretty-much-over-claim-west-asia-conflict-hormuz-strait-1830527

Commonwealth can solve uncertainties by coming together: MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh

London, Mar 10 (PTI): The disruptions to the world order due to ongoing conflicts can be overcome by the Commonwealth as the largest gathering of democratic countries by pooling its resources to move forward together, Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has said.Singh concluded his UK visit to attend the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) with a special reception at St James' Palace in London on Monday. The minister, who also holds the portfolio for environment, forest and climate change, discussed aspects of climate action during an audience with King Charles III -- the host of the annual Commonwealth-Day reception."His Majesty has a very keen interest in the conservation and preservation of the environment, and he said that we have to do this so that our generations do not suffer," Singh told PTI.This year's Commonwealth-Day theme centred around "Unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous Commonwealth" and followed a weekend of packed engagements, with Singh leading the Indian delegation at the wide-ranging discussions."At the (CFAMM) meeting, the overarching thought echoed by all the countries was that we have to make our Commonwealth more relevant in today's times. One of the major points of the discussions was how the countries can use their comparative and competitive advantages for positive, sustainable growth for all our countries," Singh said.Asked if the conflict in West Asia featured heavily during the discussions, the minister shared: "The present disruptions and the changes that are happening in the world order were very much a part of our discussions at the meet."We are the largest gathering of democratic countries -- some of them are developed, some are developing -- and we all just have to put our human resources and natural resources together to move forward. Together, we can solve the uncertainties that we are facing today regarding supply-chain disruption, regarding energy security." Singh said India, with its strong information technology and digital public infrastructure, can be an important resource for other developing countries in the organisation."We all are very happy with the way the Secretary General (Shirley Botchwey) is taking the reforms of the Commonwealth forward and putting in measures that make it more inclusive, more democratic and more transparent," he added.Earlier, the MoS met the UK's Minister for the Indo-Pacific and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Their discussions revolved around the importance of a "free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, including maritime security collaboration under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the proposed Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE)".Following floral tributes at the memorials of Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar and bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the CFAMM, Singh wrapped up the UK leg of his two-nation tour, which takes him next to Chile. PTI AK RC(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/commonwealth-can-solve-uncertainties-by-coming-together-mos-kirti-vardhan-singh-1830526

Sunday, March 8, 2026

WATCH: UAE Releases Footage Of Air Defence System Intercepting And Destroying Iranian Drones

The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted several incoming aerial threats on Sunday amid continued Iranian attacks in the region. According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, air defences detected 17 ballistic missiles, of which 16 were intercepted and destroyed, while one fell into the sea. Authorities also reported the detection of 117 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Of these, 113 were intercepted, while four fell within the country’s territory. The UAE Ministry of Defence released a 40-second black-and-white video, showing the air defence systems engaging and destroying Iranian UAVs. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> لقطات تظهر اعتراض وتدمير الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية طائرات مسيّرة إيرانية حاولت استهداف الدولة. لا تهاون بأمن الوطن وسيادته... والقوات المسلحة الإماراتية جاهزة لردع أي تهديد. Footage showing the UAE’s air defences intercepting and destroying Iranian UAVs that attempted to… <a href="https://t.co/vvHmZkcBri">pic.twitter.com/vvHmZkcBri</a> — وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) <a href="https://twitter.com/modgovae/status/2030664175811199400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <h3>Interceptions Since Start Of Attacks</h3> Since the beginning of the Iranian attacks, the UAE has recorded a large number of missile and drone threats. In total, 238 ballistic missiles have been detected so far. Of these, 221 were intercepted, 15 fell into the sea, and two landed within the country. Authorities also detected 1,422 Iranian UAVs, of which 1,342 were intercepted, while 80 fell inside the UAE’s territory. The Defence Ministry added that eight cruise missiles were also detected and successfully destroyed by air defence systems. <h3>Casualties And Injuries Reported</h3> The attacks resulted in four fatalities, including nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, officials said. Authorities also reported 112 people sustaining moderate to minor injuries. Those injured include nationals from several countries, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Bahrain, and Turkey among others. Amid the ongoing security situation, authorities in the UAE have warned residents against filming sensitive locations or sharing images of attack sites. The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi also warned of strict action against those who record incident locations, restricted areas or airport interiors without authorisation. The embassy advised Indian nationals to follow safety guidelines and remain indoors when warning alerts are issued.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/watch-footage-of-uae-air-defence-system-intercepting-and-shooting-down-iranian-drones-uavs-1830380

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Son Mojtaba Named Iran's New Supreme Leader

Mojtaba Ali Khamenei, son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been appointed as Iran’s new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts, according to Iranian state media reports. In a post on X, Press TV said, "Iran's Assembly of Experts has appointed Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Republic". Mojtaba Khamenei is the second-oldest son of Ali Khamenei. <h3>Assembly Calls For Unity</h3> According to Al Jazeera Breaking News, Iran’s Assembly of Experts has urged Iranians to maintain unity and pledge support to Khamenei. Israeli media described Mojtaba as holding a more hard-line stance than his father and alleged that he was behind the violent crackdowns on protesters in Iran. <h3>US Sanctions In 2019</h3> In November 2019, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mojtaba Khamenei. He was designated for representing the then Supreme Leader in an official capacity despite never being elected or appointed to a government position. The US Treasury further said that the then Supreme Leader had delegated part of his leadership responsibilities to Mojtaba Khamenei. It added that he worked closely with the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and the Basij Resistance Force (Basij) to advance his father’s destabilising regional ambitions and oppressive domestic objectives. Reports had also stated that Mojtaba Khamenei has access to luxury properties in London and accounts in the UK, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. <h3>Trump’s Remarks On Iran’s Next Leader</h3> The development comes after US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he wanted to play a personal role in the selection of Iran’s next Supreme Leader after the death of Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel joint military strike last week, according to a report by Axios. In an exclusive interview with Axios, Trump said he wanted to be involved in the appointment of Iran’s next leader, drawing parallels with his role in political developments in Venezuela in January following the capture of its former president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife during a US military operation. Trump also criticised the potential succession of Mojtaba Khamenei, who had been widely seen as one of the leading contenders for the position. "They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela," Trump said, as quoted by Axios. Trump further described Mojtaba Khamenei as "unacceptable" and said he would prefer a leader who could bring "harmony and peace" to Iran, warning that continuing his father’s policies could trigger renewed conflict with the United States. "Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," the US President added, according to Axios.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/ayatollah-ali-khamenei-son-mojtaba-named-iran-new-supreme-leader-1830374

4 TTP terrorists shot dead in Pak's Punjab

Lahore, Mar 8 (PTI): Pakistan's Law enforcement agencies on Sunday night shot dead four terrorists of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Punjab province.According to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab Police, Dera Ghazi Khan district of Punjab (some 400 km from Lahore) narrowly escaped a major terrorist attack as four militants belonging to "Fitna Al-Khawarij" (TTP) were killed in an exchange of fire with CTD near the border village of Jotar."The CTD conducted an intelligence-based operation after receiving information about the presence of around 15 militants in the area who had finalised plans to attack police checkpoints and other government installations in DG Khan. As soon as the CTD team reached the location, the militants opened fire. The CTD personnel retaliated, resulting in the killing of four terrorists," the CTD said.It said eleven other terrorists managed to escape under the cover of darkness.Weapons and explosives, including rifles, ammunition and explosive materials, were recovered from the militants.The CTD teams have cordoned off the Jotar area and launched a search operation to arrest the fleeing militants, it said and added that the process of identifying the killed terrorists is currently underway.The CTD said the militants had already completed planning for attacks on police posts and other state institutions. PTI MZ AMS(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/4-ttp-terrorists-shot-dead-in-pak-s-punjab-1830373

Saturday, March 7, 2026

'To Take A Little Pressure Off': Trump On US Granting 'Permission' To India To Buy Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) addressed reporters on developments linked to the unfolding security crisis in West Asia and the Gulf, including the decision by the United States to temporarily permit India to purchase Russian oil. When asked about US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s announcement allowing certain Russian oil sales to India for a limited period, and whether Washington might consider further measures such as tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), Trump indicated he would be open to easing pressure on energy markets if required. "If there were some, I would do it just to take a little of the pressure off," he said, while travelling aboard Air Force One.  "I think that the oil pressure-- there's a lot of oil. We've got a lot of oil. Our country has a tremendous amount and we have, there's a lot of oil out there. That'll get healed very quickly," Trump added. <h3>US Says India Allowed To Import Russian Oil</h3> Trump’s comments came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated that Washington had granted India permission to receive Russian oil amid the evolving security situation in West Asia. Speaking to Fox Business, Bessent said, "The Indians have been very good actors. We had asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did. They were going to substitute it with US oil. But to ease the temporary gap of oil around the world, we have given them permission to accept Russian oil. We may un-sanction other Russian oil." The United States on Thursday announced a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian crude as tensions in the Gulf region disrupt energy supply routes. Shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz have been severely affected due to the ongoing crisis. <h3>India Monitoring Energy Situation Closely</h3> India currently sources around 40 per cent of its oil imports from the Middle East, with a substantial share transported through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Government sources said the country is reviewing its energy position twice daily and remains in a comfortable situation regarding energy security. Current stock levels are also considered sufficient, with replenishment continuing regularly. According to sources, there is no global shortage of LPG, LNG or crude oil. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said there was no reason for concern among consumers about India’s energy supply. "Our priority is to ensure availability of affordable and sustainable fuel for our citizens, and we are doing it comfortably. There is no shortage of energy in India and there is no cause of worry for our energy consumers," the minister posted on X. <h3>India Expanding Energy Sources</h3> According to a report by news agency ANI, India now has access to more diversified energy supplies than the volumes that could potentially be disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz. Existing reserves of crude oil and petroleum products are also considered adequate to meet domestic demand. The government is closely tracking the evolving situation and plans to increase supplies from alternative regions if necessary to offset any possible disruption linked to the Gulf shipping route. Officials pointed out that India has broadened its crude import basket significantly in recent years. Since 2022, the country has steadily increased purchases of Russian crude. "In February, India imported about 20 per cent of its total crude oil imports from Russia, amounting to around 1.04 million barrels per day," government sources said. <h3>US Calls Waiver A Short-Term Step</h3> US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Friday that the decision to grant India a 30-day waiver to buy certain Russian oil supplies was a short-term measure aimed at stabilising global oil prices amid supply pressures caused by tensions in the Middle East. The move comes against the backdrop of escalating conflict in West Asia. Tensions surged after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iranian territory killed its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other senior figures.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/to-take-a-little-pressure-off-trump-on-us-granting-permission-to-india-to-buy-russian-oil-1830243