Iran Sends Chilling Message To US As War Escalates: ‘Leave Only in A Coffin’

<p>After reports that the United States was considering deploying up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to intensify attacks on Iran, an English daily from the Islamic Republic carried a strong warning for Washington.</p> <p>The Tehran Times featured a photograph of US troops boarding a carrier with the headline: &ldquo;Welcome to Hell&rdquo;. The accompanying caption read: &ldquo;US troops who step foot on Iranian soil will leave only in a coffin&rdquo;.</p> <h2><strong>War Of Words Amid Claims Of Talks</strong></h2> <p>The warning comes even as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that he is engaged in ongoing peace talks with Tehran to end the conflict. Iran has denied that any such talks have taken place.</p> <p>On March 26, Trump posted on Truth Social that &ldquo;Talks are ongoing&rdquo; with Iran. In another statement, he said Iran had gifted him a &ldquo;present&rdquo; by allowing some Pakistani-flagged ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.</p> <p>He had earlier announced a pause on strikes targeting Iran&rsquo;s energy sector, extending the deadline by 10 days to April 6 to allow room for negotiations beyond his previous Friday cutoff, Bloomberg reported.</p> <h2><strong>Conflict Intensifies On The Ground</strong></h2> <p>Despite these claims, hostilities in West Asia continue to escalate. Late on Saturday (March 28), the US Central Command released footage of airstrikes targeting Iranian naval vessels.</p> <p>&ldquo;For decades, Iranian naval vessels have threatened and harassed global shipping in regional waters, but those days are over,&rdquo; the command said in a post on X.</p> <h2><strong>Iran Claims US Casualties</strong></h2> <p>Iran, however, claimed that US forces had suffered &ldquo;heavy casualties&rdquo; in strikes on two American military &ldquo;hideouts&rdquo; in Dubai, according to state-run Tasnim News Agency.</p> <p>A spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya said more than 500 US personnel were present at the locations, around 400 at one site and 100 at the other. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly carried out precision missile and drone strikes after identifying the targets, inflicting significant casualties, the report said, according to ANI.</p> <h2><strong>Regional Warning From Iranian President</strong></h2> <p>Amid rising tensions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned neighbouring countries against allowing the US and Israel to use their territory for attacks on Iran.</p> <p>&ldquo;We have said many times that Iran does not carry out preemptive attacks, but we will respond strongly if our infrastructure or economic centres are targeted,&rdquo; Pezeshkian said in a post on X.</p> <p>&ldquo;Countries in the region must not allow our enemies to wage war from their soil if they seek stability and growth,&rdquo; he added.</p>

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Iran Turns Back Three Ships, Declares Strait Of Hormuz Closed

<p>Iran&rsquo;s Revolutionary Guards said three ships were turned back while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran reiterated that the strategic waterway remains closed.</p> <p>In a statement carried on the Sepah News website, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, &ldquo;This morning, following the lies of the corrupt US president (Donald Trump) claiming that the Strait of Hormuz was open, three container ships of different nationalities... were turned back after a warning from the IRGC Navy.&rdquo;</p> <p>The development comes amid heightened tensions over access to the crucial maritime route.</p> <h2><strong>Transit Ban For &lsquo;Allies And Supporters&rsquo;</strong></h2> <p>The IRGC further stated that vessels linked to ports &ldquo;belonging to allies and supporters of the Zionist-American enemies&rdquo; would not be allowed passage.</p> <p>&ldquo;The movement of any vessel &lsquo;to and from&rsquo; ports of origin belonging to allies and supporters of the Zionist-American enemies, to any destination and through any corridor, is prohibited,&rdquo; the statement said.</p> <h2><strong>Iran Rejects US Claim, Reasserts Control</strong></h2> <p>The statement followed remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting that the Strait of Hormuz was open for transit.</p> <p>Rejecting the claim, the IRGC said it maintains full control over the chokepoint.</p> <p>&ldquo;The Strait of Hormuz has been closed, and any movement through the strait will be met with a harsh response,&rdquo; the IRGC Navy said.</p> <h2><strong>Warning Amid Escalating Regional Tensions</strong></h2> <p>Iran said the move reflects its stance amid ongoing tensions, asserting that it will protect its maritime boundaries.</p> <p>The IRGC reiterated that &ldquo;any movement through the strait will be met with a harsh response,&rdquo; issuing a direct warning to international shipping and foreign military forces operating in or near the Persian Gulf.</p>

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FCC seeks public comments on bringing call centres back to US

<p>Washington, Mar 27 (PTI): The Federal Communications Commission has mooted proposals to encourage businesses to bring call centre jobs back to the US and require call-takers to be proficient in American Standard English.</p><p>In a statement here, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said that over the past few decades many corporations shifted their customer service and call centre operations from America to a range of foreign countries – with nearly 70 per cent of US companies outsourcing at least one department.</p><p>“American consumers deserve call centres that speak proficient English, provide clear answers, and are based here at home—not halfway around the world,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement.</p><p>The Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), adopted by the FCC on Thursday, has sought comments from the public on ways to encourage and facilitate the onshoring of call centres; steps that can be taken to improve customer service and data security and ways to combat illegal robocall scams that originate inside foreign call centres.</p><p>“I welcome today’s NPRM to address risks to Americans that originate from call centres located overseas,” Commissioner Olivia Trusty said in a statement on Thursday.</p><p>The FCC has sought comments from the public about ideas such as empowering consumers to transfer calls to a US-based location and requiring that calls involving certain types of sensitive information be handled domestically.</p><p>It also sought views on requiring covered providers to disclose the location of the call centre during the customer interaction; requiring disclosure to consumers of the extent of a provider’s use of US call centres; and requiring workers at call centres to be proficient in American Standard English and otherwise be trained appropriately for resolving issues with US customers.</p><p>“Specifically, we are identifying ways to address illegal robocall scams that originate inside foreign call centres, such as ways we can take the profit out of those operations,” Carr said.</p><p> Last year, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Keep Call Centres in America Act to discourage companies from moving customer service operations offshore or replacing live agents with AI.</p><p>From a cost perspective, onshore call centres in the United States face significantly higher operating expenses, primarily wages, compliance, and real estate.</p><p>According to industry benchmarks, US customer service agents earn three to five times more than their offshore counterparts. These higher costs inevitably flow through to the consumer.</p><p>The Philippines, India, Colombia, South Africa are the leading countries that US businesses outsource their customer service call centre jobs to. PTI SKU PRK</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

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Jaishankar highlights urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations in G7 meet

<p>Paris, Mar 26 (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday highlighted the urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in France.</p><p>Jaishankar spoke at the meeting in France with partners on the reform of global governance.</p><p>"Spoke at the @G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting session with invited partners on reform of global governance. Highlighted the urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains," Jaishankar posted on X.</p><p>"Specifically raised Global South’s concerns about energy challenges, fertiliser supplies and food security," the post read.</p><p>India has been at the forefront of the years-long efforts to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying it rightly deserved a place as a permanent member in the United Nations.</p><p>Currently, the UNSC has five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. Only a permanent member has the power to veto any substantive resolution.</p><p>Jaishankar arrived in France on Thursday to participate in the meeting, where he will discuss the West Asia crisis with a focus on coordinating efforts to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for international shipping.</p><p>The two-day meeting, being held at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay on March 26–27, comes at the invitation of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noel Barrot.</p><p>Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.</p><p>The Group of 7 (G7) brings together seven of the world's most advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The European Union is also a member of the bloc.</p><p>The G7 serves as the forum of choice for its members to discuss and coordinate action in response to major economic, financial and geopolitical challenges on the global stage.</p><p>Besides India, France has invited Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Brazil.</p><p>According to a French official, there will be a session dedicated to the crisis in West Asia.</p><p>Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).</p><p>West Asia has been a major source of India's energy procurement. PTI AMS</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

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Trump Says Iran Gave US 10 Oil Tankers As ‘Present’, Claims They Carried Pakistani Flags

<p>U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (March 26, 2026) claimed that Iran had allowed the passage of 10 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as a &ldquo;present&rdquo; to signal its seriousness about ending the ongoing conflict.</p> <p>Referring to earlier remarks about a &ldquo;gift&rdquo; from Tehran, Trump said Iran initially allowed eight oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz, followed by two more later.</p> <p>According to him, the vessels included tankers flying Pakistani flags. He said the move was intended to demonstrate Iran&rsquo;s willingness to engage in efforts to end the war.</p> <h2><strong>Remarks On Hormuz Tolls</strong></h2> <p>Trump also said Iran should not be charging tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that it is currently doing so.</p> <p>The Strait remains a critical global shipping route, and its status continues to be closely watched amid the conflict.</p> <h2><strong>Warning To Iran Over Nuclear Ambitions</strong></h2> <p>The U.S. President reiterated his stance on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme, warning of consequences if Tehran does not change course.</p> <p>&ldquo;Iran now has the opportunity to abandon its nuclear ambitions forever and chart a new course. We will see if they want to do that. If they don't, we will be their worst nightmare. For now, we will continue to attack,&rdquo; he said.</p>

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16 dead after bus plunges into river in Bangladesh, search on for missing

<p>Dhaka, Mar 26 (PTI): At least 16 people have died and several others remain missing after a bus plunged into a river in Bangladesh while attempting to get onto a transport ferry, officials said.</p><p>The accident happened in the southwestern district of Rajbari at the Dauladia terminal when the bus fell into the Padma River at about 5.15 pm on Wednesday, they said.</p><p> “(Salvage vessel) Hamza retrieved the bus with its cranes and 14 bodies were found inside,” fire service official Sohel Rana told reporters at the scene.</p><p>He added that the divers earlier recovered bodies of two women in their late 50s or early 60s and found the 14 others as the bus was salvaged at around Wednesday midnight after six hours of efforts amid rough weather.</p><p>Fire service and coastguard divers continued their search for the missing people with military and police assistance, according to Rana.</p><p>Officials said they estimated that the Dhaka-bound bus was carrying some 40 passengers including several children, and most were returning to the capital after ending their Eid holidays.</p><p>According to the Rajbari district administration officials, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called them to know salvage campaign updates and ordered investigation into the accident.</p><p>Police and witnesses earlier said about 11 passengers managed to swim ashore or were rescued but most others remained missing.</p><p>“When the bus was heading towards the ferry from the pontoon, another smaller utility ferry hit the pontoon. It plunged into the river as the bus driver lost control of the steering,” the terminal’s supervisor Monir Hossain said.</p><p>“Right before our eyes, the bus fell into the river, but we could do nothing,” he added.</p><p>Doctors at Dauladia health complex said two women were brought dead while another woman, herself a doctor, received treatment.</p><p>According to witnesses and officials, many of the passengers were members of the same family. While several of them survived as they stood outside, their relatives were in the bus as it drowned. PTI AR PRK</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

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US President Trump to visit China in May after rescheduling trip due to Iran war

<p> Washington, Mar 25 (PTI): US President Donald Trump will travel to China on May 14 and 15 for a rescheduled summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the White House announced on Wednesday.</p><p> Trump, who was earlier scheduled to travel to Beijing by the end of this month, postponed his trip due to the war in Iran.</p><p> Announcing Trump’s “long-awaited” trip to China, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US president and First Lady Melania will also host President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for a reciprocal visit to Washington DC at a later date this year.</p><p> Responding to a question if the two leaders spoke about the conclusion of the war as a precondition to reschedule this meeting, she answered there was no discussion about the rescheduling of the meeting between the president and Xi.</p><p> “President Xi understood that it's very important for the president to be here throughout the region right now. He understood, obviously, the request to postpone and accept it, which is why we have a meeting,” Leavitt said.</p><p> Asked if the war would conclude by the time of the meeting in May, Leavitt said, “Again, as I've said, we've always estimated approximately four to six weeks.” Trump and Xi last met in person in October on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Busan, South Korea.</p><p> Trump said last week while meeting with Irish Prime Minister Michel Martin in the Oval Office that he would be going to China in five or six weeks' time instead of at the end of the month. He said he would be rescheduling his trip to China.</p><p> “We're working with China, they were fine with it,” Trump said. “I look forward to seeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me, I think,” he added.</p><p> The US-Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on February 28 and the retaliation by the Islamic nation extended the war to the entire Gulf region.</p><p> The US and Israel attack killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The joint strikes came after days of build-up, with Trump ramping up the pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme.</p><p> The conflict has also taken a major toll on energy supply chains, especially across the Strait of Hormuz. PTI SKU GSP GSP</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

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