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Iran’s Supreme Leader says enemy misjudged nation’s strength

Iran’s Supreme Leader

Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said that adversaries gravely miscalculated Iran’s strength and resilience during the recent conflict.

In his message marking the beginning of the Iranian New Year, Khamenei stated that the United States and Israel believed a few days of attacks would trigger an internal uprising and lead to the collapse of the Iranian government. However, he said, those assumptions proved entirely wrong.

He added that the enemy launched the war under the false belief that assassinating senior leadership and key military figures would instill fear among Iranians and pave the way for regime change and the fragmentation of the country.

Instead, he noted, the Iranian people demonstrated extraordinary unity, setting aside religious, ideological, cultural, and political differences.

Khamenei claimed that while Iran grew more united, divisions were emerging within the ranks of its adversaries. He also emphasized that Iranians continued both fasting and resistance simultaneously, asserting that national unity would ultimately force the to back down.

Highlighting regional diplomacy, Khamenei offered to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stressing that neighboring countries are of great importance to Iran.

He expressed Tehran’s desire for improved relations between the two nations and broader harmony among Muslim countries.

The Iranian leader also rejected allegations of attacks on Turkey and Oman, calling them “false flag” operations, and warned that similar incidents could occur in other countries.

Lionel Messi reaches 900 career goals in historic milestone

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has become only the second player in elite men’s football history to score 900 career goals, joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the exclusive club of football legends to reach the landmark.

The 38-year-old Argentine World Cup winner achieved the feat with a left-footed finish during Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw against Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The goal came 21 years after Messi netted his first senior goal for Barcelona as a 17-year-old in 2005.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano praised the achievement, calling Messi’s goal tally “insane” and highlighting the privilege of witnessing so many of his goals up close.

Messi reached the milestone in 1,142 appearances for club and country, nearly 100 fewer games than Cristiano Ronaldo, who reached 900 goals in 1,236 matches in September 2024. Ronaldo has since pushed his total to 965 goals and continues to aim for the 1,000-goal mark.

The majority of Messi’s goals came during his legendary spell at Barcelona, where he scored 672 times. He also netted 32 goals for Paris Saint-Germain and 81 for Inter Miami, along with 115 goals for Argentina, helping his country win the 2022 World Cup.

Known for delivering in big moments, 175 of Messi’s goals have come in knockout matches, including 35 in finals. In European competition, he has scored 129 UEFA Champions League goals, second only to Ronaldo’s 140.

Despite Messi’s historic achievement, it was a disappointing night for Inter Miami, who were eliminated from the competition on away goals after a 0-0 first-leg result.

US will destroy Pars Gas field if Iran attacks Qatar, warns Donald Trump

US will destroy


Washington: US President Donald Trump has stated that the United States had no prior knowledge of Israel’s reported strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field.

In a statement posted on his platform Truth Social, Trump described the South Pars gas field as a highly valuable and critical asset, adding that Israel would not carry out further attacks on the site.

He warned Iran against targeting Qatar, saying that any such move would prompt a severe U.S. response. “If Iran attacks Qatar, the United States will destroy the Pars gas field with an intensity never seen before,” he cautioned.

Trump also condemned attacks on Qatar’s LNG facilities, calling them unjustified and unfair. He stressed that any repeat of such actions could lead to a dangerous escalation.

The U.S. president added that further aggression by Iran toward Qatar could heighten regional tensions, but emphasized that Washington does not seek widespread violence or destruction due to the long-term consequences it would have for Iran.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Israel targeted energy facilities linked to Iran’s South Pars gas field, which is connected to Qatar’s North Field expansion.

According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, attacking energy infrastructure poses a serious threat to global energy security, warning of broader implications for international markets.

The United Arab Emirates also expressed concern over the strike on the shared gas field between Iran and Qatar.

In its official statement, the UAE noted that the South Pars field in Iran is directly connected to Qatar’s North Field, emphasizing that any attack on such a critical energy site could have severe consequences for global energy stability.

Iranian Intelligence Minister martyred in Israeli strike, Tehran confirms

Iranian Intelligence Minister


TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have confirmed that Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was martyred in an Israeli strike.

According to Iranian media, the minister was martyred during attacks carried out by Israel a day earlier. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also confirmed his death following the strike.

Earlier, the Israeli military had announced that it had targeted Iran’s intelligence chief in an overnight operation.

Meanwhile, strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran are reportedly ongoing. In the latest developments, the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was also targeted.

Iranian officials stated that a projectile landed within the vicinity of the facility, but the plant remained unharmed and no staff members were injured.

Authorities further said that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been informed about the incident.

Shaheen Shah Afridi hosts Iftar dinner for Lahore Qalandars players

Shaheen Shah Afridi


ISLAMABAD: Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi hosted an Iftar dinner for his team, Lahore Qalandars, at his residence in Islamabad.

The gathering was attended by team owner Sameen Rana, along with all local squad members. Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza and members of the team management were also present at the event.

The team had recently been participating in a three-day conditioning camp in Islamabad. However, the final day of the camp was disrupted due to rain in the city.

According to team sources, members of the Lahore Qalandars squad are scheduled to regroup in Lahore on March 23.

Fakhar Zaman breaks silence on fitness criticism

Fakhar Zaman breaks

KARACHI: Cricketer Fakhar Zaman has addressed recent comments about his fitness, responding to criticism from former cricketer Abdur Rauf Khan on social media.

In a post, Zaman acknowledged that he was not at 100% fitness for 50-over cricket but emphasized that he had cleared his fitness test on March 15 before participating in the National T20 tournament.

He also agreed with former cricketer Aaqib Javed, stating that his remarks regarding Zaman’s readiness were accurate.

Earlier, Abdul Rauf had shared a picture of Zaman in the field, questioning the selection committee’s decisions and sparking discussions about the opener’s fitness.

Trump slams NATO as allies reject US call for support on Iran

Trump slams NATO

Washington: US President Donald Trump has reacted strongly after several allied nations declined requests for support amid escalating tensions involving Iran.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump asserted that the United States does not require assistance from its allies.

“As the president of a powerful country like the United States, I want to make it clear that we do not need anyone’s help,” he said.

However, Trump sharply criticized the NATO, calling its position a “foolish mistake” and stating that the alliance should have been present in the region during this critical time.

Responding to remarks by Emmanuel Macron, who ruled out participation in any operation to secure the Strait of Hormuz, Trump suggested that the French president may soon leave office.

Trump also named Japan, Australia, and South Korea, saying that while many nations agreed with U.S. actions toward Iran, they failed to support Washington when it mattered most.

Earlier, several countries—including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China—had declined Trump’s request to assist in operations related to the Strait of Hormuz.

Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani reportedly killed in attack

Senior Iranian official

Tehran : Iranian media has reported that Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was killed in an alleged attack attributed to the United States and Israel.

According to official Iranian sources, Larijani’s death has been confirmed, with reports also stating that his son, Morteza Larijani, was killed in the same incident.

State affiliated media outlets claim that the attack took place in eastern Tehran, where Larijani had reportedly been visiting his daughter at the time.

A statement shared on Larijani’s official social media account expressed the news in religious terms, saying: “A servant of God has returned to God.” The message further addressed the Iranian people, Muslims worldwide, and “free people of the world,” announcing that “one of God’s servants has been martyred.”

There has been no immediate confirmation or response from U.S. or Israeli officials regarding these claims.

Further details have emerged following reports of the death of Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official, who was allegedly targeted in a strike claimed by Israel.

Prior to the reported attack, a handwritten message was shared on Larijani’s social media account, paying tribute to those martyred. Iranian sources later confirmed his death, describing it as a significant loss to the country’s leadership.

The Israeli military had earlier claimed responsibility for targeting Larijani at a location in Tehran, stating that Gholam Reza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij internal security force, was also killed in the same strike.

Experts warn that the development could have serious implications for regional stability. Sultan Barakat, Senior Professor of Public Policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, said Larijani’s death is likely to make diplomatic efforts to resolve ongoing tensions more difficult and prolonged.

According to Barakat, the incident may strengthen hardline elements within Iran’s political system, pushing the prospect of a negotiated settlement further out of reach.

Biography of Ali Larijani

Ali Larijani was born in Najaf and rose to prominence after joining Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Over the decades, he became one of the most influential figures in Iran’s political, legislative, and foreign policy spheres.

At 67, Larijani was considered a key figure in post-revolution Iranian politics and a member of a powerful religious and political family. He maintained close ties with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and was regarded as a trusted advisor on security matters.

Larijani also played a significant role during the Iran–Iraq War and held multiple high-ranking government positions. He served as Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) for 12 years and was previously Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator.

Known for his conservative yet relatively pragmatic stance, Larijani remained an influential figure in Iran’s domestic and international policymaking until his reported death.

Trump urges China, Japan to help secure Strait of Hormuz

Trump urges China

US President Donald Trump has once again called on China, Japan and other countries to help ensure the reopening and security of the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, D.C., Trump said US forces were rapidly dismantling Iran’s defense systems and had sunk boats allegedly involved in laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that only about one percent of US oil shipments pass through the strait, while a much larger share of oil for countries like China and Japan travels through the strategic waterway.

Trump said around 90 percent of China’s oil imports and 95 percent of Japan’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, along with about 35 percent of South Korea’s oil, urging these countries to send naval fleets to help secure the route.

The US president claimed that Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks had dropped by about 90 percent, adding that more than 100 Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed and the country’s naval forces severely weakened. He said over 7,000 commercial and military targets had been struck in Iran.

Trump also stated that US forces had destroyed 30 vessels allegedly used to deploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz, though he acknowledged it could not be confirmed with certainty whether Iran had actually laid mines there.

He further claimed that Iran’s naval and air defenses had been effectively neutralized, including the destruction of multiple military targets on Kharg Island. However, he added that Iranian oil facilities had not yet been targeted, though “all options remain open.”

Trump criticized some countries for not showing enough enthusiasm in assisting US efforts in the strait, saying the United States had protected many of them from external threats for decades.

The US president also said Iran had expressed interest in negotiations but that Washington was not ready for talks at the moment. He added that Iran’s nuclear program had suffered a “decisive blow” through an operation he referred to as “Operation Midnight Hammer.”

Trump also claimed that he had warned about Osama bin Laden before the September 11 attacks, suggesting the tragedy might have been prevented if his warnings had been heeded.

Shahid Afridi criticizes selection committee after Bangladesh series loss

Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has sharply criticized the national selection committee following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup and a 1-2 series defeat against Bangladesh.

In a statement shared on X, Afridi expressed concerns that the selection committee members, despite having played extensive cricket themselves, lack understanding of which players are suited to captain specific formats.

He highlighted that senior cricketers were dropped from the squad based on T20 performances, even in the one-day format. Afridi also criticized the inclusion of young players under the pretext of “surgery,” stating that leadership decisions appear to be made by the committee rather than the team itself.

Afridi further argued that some of the selected youngsters have played only a few first-class matches, and Pakistan’s domestic cricket standards are not consistently producing players ready to immediately join the national squad.

These comments came shortly after Pakistan’s recent defeat to Bangladesh in the one-day series, underlining Afridi’s call for more strategic and experience-based selection policies.