United States Archives

Iran to expand trade with Pakistan after ceasefire

June 18, 2026 by Newsdesk

TEHRAN: Following the reported ceasefire agreement with the United States, Iran has decided to significantly expand trade with Pakistan, marking a new phase in bilateral economic relations.

According to reports, Iran’s second major trade delegation in two months visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), where agreements were signed for investment in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facilities in Pakistan.

FPCCI leader Muhammad Ali Haider said the agreements were signed during a meeting at the chamber, adding that the Iranian delegation included mining investors, rice importers, and other business representatives.

He said both sides have set an ambitious target of increasing Pakistan-Iran trade to $10 billion following the stabilization of the regional situation.

Focus on Energy, Trade Expansion and Connectivity

In a separate development, discussions were held in Islamabad between the Iranian ambassador and Pakistan’s Board of Investment minister.

Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh assured cooperation with relevant ministries to resolve outstanding issues.

According to an official statement, Iran has also offered Pakistan access to Central Asian markets through its territory, while both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade to the agreed $10 billion target.

Both sides also agreed on measures to enhance border trade, including proposals to increase the daily number of cross-border trucks to 2,000.

The statement added that the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir was appreciated during the meetings, highlighting improved political and economic coordination between the two countries.

United States defeats Paraguay 4–1 in FIFA World Cup match

June 13, 2026 by Newsdesk

LOS ANGELES: The United States secured a commanding 4–1 victory over Paraguay in a World Cup match played in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The U.S. took control early, leading 3–0 by halftime after a dominant first-half performance.

The opening goal came via an own goal by Paraguay’s Buba Dela, followed by a strike from American midfielder Brenden Aaronson. Just seconds before the halftime whistle, Aaronson scored again to give the U.S. a 3–0 advantage.

Giovanni Reyna added the fourth goal in the closing stages to seal the win for the Americans.

Paraguay managed to pull one goal back in the 73rd minute through Marcio, but it proved only a consolation as the United States maintained control until the final whistle.

The result gives the United States a strong start to its World Cup campaign, while Paraguay will look to regroup ahead of its next fixture.

Serious efforts underway to finalize Iran-US draft agreement, Arab media reports

May 20, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: Intensive diplomatic efforts are underway to finalize a draft agreement between Iran and the United States, with an announcement on the completion of the final text possible in the coming days, according to Arab media reports.

The reports said a senior Pakistani official could travel to Iran on Thursday, and the visit may coincide with an announcement that the draft agreement has been completed.

Arab media also reported that the next round of negotiations is expected to be held in Islamabad after the Hajj season.

The developments come as Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made his second trip to Tehran within 24 hours, where he held meetings with Iranian leaders on the ongoing Iran-U.S. dialogue.

During a previous visit to Tehran, Naqvi met President Masoud Pezeshkian, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss bilateral ties and regional diplomacy.

After returning from Iran, Naqvi traveled directly to Balochistan, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir were also present.

Neither Tehran nor Washington has officially confirmed the reported timeline for finalizing the agreement.

US-Iran talks likely to start in Islamabad next week: report

May 9, 2026 by Newsdesk

Islamabad: Negotiations between the United States and Iran are expected to resume in Islamabad next week, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the newspaper reported that both sides are working with mediators to finalize a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The one-page document is intended to establish a one-month framework for negotiations aimed at paving the way for an end to the ongoing conflict.

According to the report, the draft covers key issues including Iran’s nuclear programme, efforts to reduce tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and the possible transfer of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles to a third country.

However, several major issues remain unresolved.

The report said the scope and extent of sanctions relief continue to be a central point of disagreement and could pose a significant obstacle to reaching an agreement.

The Wall Street Journal added that if substantial progress is made, both parties may agree to extend the initial one-month negotiation period.

The first round of talks between the United States and Iran was held in Islamabad on April 11, where delegations from both countries engaged in approximately 21 hours of discussions.

The meeting concluded without a formal agreement, but officials described the dialogue as an important step toward continued diplomatic engagement.

US–Iran talks in Islamabad likely to continue on Sunday: reports

April 11, 2026 by Newsdesk

Islamabad: Ongoing negotiations between United States and Iran in Islamabad are expected to continue tonight and possibly into Sunday, according to media reports.

Citing Pakistani sources, CNN reported that discussions between the two sides may extend beyond the initially planned schedule.

Pakistan is playing a key mediatory role in facilitating the talks, providing a platform for dialogue between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that tensions between the US and Iran span over 47 years, and such complex issues cannot be resolved in just a few hours of meetings.

He noted that both sides are in continuous contact with their respective leaderships and will consult before finalizing any agreements.

Tarar added that while the talks were initially expected to conclude in a day, the positive momentum could lead to an extension of negotiations into the following day.

Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani reportedly killed in attack

March 18, 2026 by Newsdesk

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.”

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

ملت عزیز و سربلند ایران!
الشعوب المسلمة وأحرار العالم:
«بنده‌ی خدا، به خدا پیوست.»
لقد لحق عبدٌ من عباد الله بربّه شهيدًا. pic.twitter.com/G1kZUqbg1L
— Ali Larijani | علی لاریجانی (@alilarijani_ir) March 17, 2026

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.

Stocks surge as Supreme Court blocks key Trump-era tariffs

February 20, 2026 by Newsdesk

Washington: Global financial markets surged after the Supreme Court of the United States delivered a 6–3 ruling striking down most of President Donald Trump’s signature tariffs.

Following the decision, the S&P 500 climbed 0.6%, while the Nasdaq advanced 1%. The rally extended beyond the United States, with European shares, as well as markets in South Korea and India, posting notable gains.

Companies With Heavy Tariff Exposure Lead Gains

The strongest market reaction was seen among companies heavily exposed to tariffs, particularly those reliant on imports from China.

E-commerce giant Amazon rose 2%, reflecting investor optimism as nearly 70% of its goods are sourced from China. Footwear brands Deckers Outdoor, Birkenstock, and Crocs each gained more than 2%.

Furniture retailers also recorded strong performance, with Wayfair and Floor & Decor surging approximately 4%.

Uncertainty Over Tariff Refunds

Despite the positive market response, uncertainty remains regarding the potential repayment of billions of dollars in tariffs already collected.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that the ruling “says nothing about whether, and how, if so, the Government should go about returning the billions of dollars that it has collected.”

Concerns have emerged that possible refunds could widen the federal deficit. Reflecting these worries, U.S. Treasury yields edged higher, with the 10-year yield rising 2 basis points to 4.096%. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar weakened slightly.

Decision Comes Amid Soft Economic Data

The court’s ruling comes at a time of underwhelming economic performance. Fourth-quarter GDP expanded at an annualized rate of 1.4%, falling short of expectations, partly due to the impact of a government shutdown.

Core inflation remained elevated at 3%, still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, underscoring continued economic challenges despite the market’s upbeat reaction to the court’s decision.

Severe winter storm in US kills 11, forces cancellation of 19,000 flights

January 26, 2026 by Newsdesk

WASHINGTON: At least 11 people have died in the United States due to a major winter storm, which has also led to the cancellation of more than 19,000 flights since Saturday.

International news agencies report that authorities have advised residents to avoid travel on roads due to hazardous conditions.

The storm has brought snow, sleet, and rain across a wide swath from Texas to New England, with forecasts warning of dangerously low temperatures in the coming days.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that five people were found dead outdoors on Sunday. Texas authorities reported three fatalities, while two deaths from hypothermia were recorded in Louisiana. In southeastern Iowa, a traffic accident caused by severe weather killed one person and injured two others.

The storm also caused widespread power outages, leaving over 820,000 customers without electricity, primarily in southern states hardest hit by the storm on Saturday.

Authorities from Texas to North Carolina and New York have urged residents to remain indoors due to the dangerous conditions.

At least 20 U.S. states, including the federal capital Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency. Major airports in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York have canceled almost all flights. Flight-tracking websites report that more than 19,000 domestic and international flights have been canceled since the storm began.

2,000 Afghan arrivals in US found to have terror links, officials say

December 13, 2025 by Newsdesk

Washington: The Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has revealed that among Afghan nationals who entered the United States under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, approximately 2,000 individuals have direct or potential links to terrorist organizations.

In an interview with US media, Gabbard criticized the slow vetting process for Afghans who arrived under the program, which saw 18,000 Afghan nationals resettled in the US.

She stated that under Operation Allies Welcome, each Afghan arrival is now undergoing close scrutiny, with multiple agencies actively involved in the review process.

Gabbard highlighted that terrorist groups, including ISIS, are reportedly planning attacks on US soil and are seeking individuals capable of carrying out such operations. She emphasized that this threat is being taken extremely seriously by US authorities.

The intelligence chief also noted that in recent years, the number of individuals entering the US illegally has increased, adding another layer of concern for national security agencies.

FIFA World Cup 2026 draw announced

December 6, 2025 by Newsdesk

The draw for the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup 2026 has been finalized, with 48 teams divided into 12 groups for the mega event scheduled to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.

The highly anticipated ceremony took place in the United States, where US President Donald Trump also attended the event.

As per the official grouping:

Group A: Mexico (host), South Africa, South Korea, Playoff D winner

Group B: Canada (host), Qatar, Switzerland, UEFA Playoff A winner (Wales or Northern Ireland)

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti

Group D: United States (host), Australia, Paraguay, UEFA Playoff C winner

Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Qualifier B winner

Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cape Verde

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA Playoff 2 winner

Group J: Argentina (defending champions), Austria, Algeria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, FIFA Qualifier 1 winner

Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

The expanded format will see intense competition as teams battle through the group stage for a place in the knockout rounds. Fans worldwide now eagerly await the kickoff of football’s biggest global tournament next year.