US Archives - FutureSoch

US considers reducing troops, military facilities across Middle East

September 9, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: US military and intelligence officials are considering reducing the number of American personnel and military facilities in the Middle East, according to a CNN report.

Sources told CNN that the Trump administration is considering a significant reduction in the U.S. presence in the region if it succeeds in ending the conflict with Iran.

The United States greatly expanded its military and intelligence network across the Middle East following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, supporting operations in countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Yemen and Libya. However, the recent conflict with Iran has exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. military infrastructure in the region, according to the report.

The informal discussions among military and intelligence officials are aimed at developing a strategy for the post-conflict period, as President Donald Trump has not provided clear policy guidance on the future U.S. military posture in the region, CNN reported.

The United States currently has about 50,000 troops, two aircraft carriers and more than a dozen other warships in the Middle East. CIA personnel who had previously been withdrawn from the region are also being redeployed, according to the sources.

The U.S. military is also examining ways to strengthen the protection of troops and facilities that remain in the region.

Two sources confirmed that moving some sensitive facilities underground is among the proposals being considered to protect them from drone and missile attacks. The Pentagon has explored underground military facilities for years, but Iranian attacks have increased the urgency of implementing such plans, the sources said.

Military officials have also developed several potential options for restructuring the U.S. force posture in the Middle East by next year.

Pakistan played key diplomatic role in bringing US, Iran to talks

August 13, 2026August 8, 2026 by World Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan played an important mediating role in reducing tensions between the United States and Iran by helping bring the two countries to the negotiating table, according to an analysis by policy platform South Asian Voices.

The analysis, which focuses on security, political and economic developments in South Asia, said Pakistan established communication channels between Washington and Tehran at a time when relations between the two sides had reached a critical point of heightened tensions and mutual confrontation.

According to the report, Pakistan succeeded in facilitating dialogue between a global power and a key regional player, playing a diplomatic role that major countries including China, France, Germany, India and the United Kingdom were unable to achieve.

The analysis stated that more than 20 hours of talks between US and Iranian representatives in Islamabad marked the highest-level direct engagement between the two countries since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

It added that although both Washington and Tehran accused each other of violating the ceasefire arrangements, neither side completely abandoned the negotiation process.

The report noted that blaming the mediator for failure would be inaccurate, as maintaining dialogue between opposing parties remains a significant diplomatic achievement in itself.

US warns citizens in Middle East to stay alert

August 13, 2026August 1, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: The United States has issued a security alert for its citizens in the Middle East, warning that the regional situation could deteriorate unexpectedly amid rising tensions.

Through its embassies in countries including Israel, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, the US advised citizens to remain cautious and be prepared for possible departure or evacuation if conditions worsen.

The advisory said the security situation in the region remains unstable and urged Americans to exercise increased vigilance. Citizens were also advised to prepare for possible flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures, and travel disruptions.

The US Embassy in Oman said some airlines had delayed the resumption of scheduled flights, while certain routes had been cancelled.

It advised Americans in the region to consider leaving or be ready to depart quickly if the situation deteriorates.

The advisory also urged US citizens outside the Middle East to reconsider travel to the region and check updated information from airlines and airports if travel is unavoidable.

US diplomatic missions warned that American interests, businesses, and facilities could face potential threats, noting that previous attacks on US diplomatic sites and interests had occurred in different locations.

The US embassies advised citizens to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, stay away from areas with heavy security presence, monitor local media, and follow instructions issued by local authorities.

Americans were also encouraged to enrol in the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and maintain communication with embassies during emergencies.

US targets Pakistan, 60 other nations with new import tariffs

August 13, 2026July 24, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: The United States has imposed new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from more than 60 trading partners, including Pakistan, citing their failure to effectively prevent the import and trade of goods produced through forced labor.

The new tariffs took effect on July 24, with imports from Pakistan and several other countries subject to a 10% tariff, according to the U.S. administration.

The move marks the latest effort by President Donald Trump to revive his global tariff agenda. Earlier, in February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the implementation of additional tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% that had been imposed under Trump’s earlier trade policy.

The latest measures have been introduced under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, with US officials saying the affected countries have failed to adequately enforce laws prohibiting imports made with forced labor.

Countries facing the 10% tariff include Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Canada, Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago, while imports from another 38 countries will be subject to a 12.5% tariff.

The US administration said the new duties do not apply to imports such as crude oil, natural gas, certain agricultural commodities, and fertilizers. Products already covered under Section 232 national security tariffs, including steel, aluminum, automobiles, and copper, are also exempt.

Several US trading partners, including Australia and Brazil, criticized the decision as unfair and said they would seek its reversal, while Norway rejected the allegations, calling the tariffs unjustified.

Mediators propose 10-day ceasefire between US and Iran

August 13, 2026July 21, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan and several other regional mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran in an effort to ease escalating tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Axios.

The report said President Donald Trump has reached a critical juncture in the conflict, with U.S. and Israeli officials believing only two viable options remain: pursuing a new 10-day ceasefire initiative aimed at restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, or launching a major joint military campaign with Israel to pressure Iran into surrendering.

Trump has not made a final decision, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials who said the coming days will determine which path is taken as the prolonged conflict becomes increasingly difficult to sustain.

Two regional sources familiar with the mediation efforts told Axios that Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan and other intermediaries presented the ceasefire proposal to both Washington and Tehran.

US officials said the Trump administration is reviewing the proposal, although neither the United States nor Iran has accepted it. Both sides are reportedly seeking to strengthen their negotiating positions through continued military strikes before considering a ceasefire.

Axios also reported that despite 10 consecutive days of bombing, Iran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz has not been eliminated, while rising gasoline prices in the United States are fueling growing domestic opposition to the conflict.

According to a regional source, ceasefire efforts were making progress on Saturday before an Iranian missile strike in Jordan killed two U.S. service members, prompting Washington to harden its stance. A senior US official confirmed that diplomatic contacts remain ongoing but said Trump has not yet completed the planned response against Iran, adding that retaliatory operations would continue until the president decides otherwise.

A regional source told Axios that mediators are seeking a durable solution, stressing that while Iran cannot dictate the terms of any agreement, it also cannot be excluded from the process.

Iran’s Supreme Leader says US repeatedly violated agreement

July 18, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Saturday that repeated US violations of agreements with Tehran demonstrate that the American president’s signature “has no value or credibility.”

In a written statement carried by Iran’s state broadcaster, Khamenei accused the United States of once again revealing what he described as its “true face,” alleging a continued pattern of broken promises and bad faith.

“The repeated violations of the agreement once again prove a fundamental reality: the U.S. president’s signature is meaningless and carries no value,” Khamenei said, referring to the memorandum of understanding reached between the presidents of Iran and the United States.

Khamenei accused Washington of seeking to escalate the conflict and warned that the United States would face “a heavier price and greater humiliation” for its actions. He also said Iran was prepared to respond in ways the United States “would never forget.”

The Iranian leader called for national unity, urging the public and government officials to avoid internal divisions and work together to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, dignity and independence during the ongoing tensions.

Khamenei also reiterated his longstanding criticism of U.S. policy, saying Washington could not be trusted and accusing it of pursuing confrontation and expanding conflicts.

Trump urges senate to pass crypto clarity act to keep US ahead of China

August 13, 2026July 13, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump urged the US Senate to pass the Clarity Act, saying the proposed cryptocurrency legislation is essential to maintaining America’s technological and financial edge over China.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called on senators to approve the bill, saying it would serve as a tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, whom he described as a strong supporter.

Trump argued that China and other countries are seeking to dominate the cryptocurrency industry and are also competing aggressively with the United States in the field of artificial intelligence.

“We must not let China succeed in either of these sectors,” Trump said, urging lawmakers to move the legislation forward.

The appeal comes after the death of Graham, a Republican ally of Trump, which could complicate the bill’s prospects in the Senate by reducing the Republican majority. The legislation would require 60 votes to pass the Senate before it could become law.

The Clarity Act is among the first comprehensive proposals to establish a federal regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency industry. It has received support from major U.S. crypto companies and the White House, with backers arguing that clear regulations would strengthen investor confidence and encourage further investment.

Some Democratic lawmakers, however, have called for stricter ethics provisions in the bill, including additional restrictions on elected officials, arguing that public officeholders should face tighter oversight over their involvement in digital assets.

US approves sale of Tomahawk missiles to Germany

August 13, 2026July 9, 2026 by World Desk

BERLIN: The United States has approved the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany, marking a significant step in strengthening Berlin’s long-range strike capabilities.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said a NATO summit in Ankara proved more productive than expected, revealing that Germany had reached an agreement with the United States to purchase Tomahawk missiles, which will be deployed in the country.

“We are closing a major strategic gap in our defense capabilities,” Merz said, adding that Germany is also continuing efforts to develop and deploy European-made long-range defense systems.

According to foreign media reports, German government sources said the United States signed a letter of intent on Tuesday assuring Germany that formal approval for the purchase of Tomahawk missiles and Typhon ground-based launchers would be granted in August.

The sources did not disclose how many missiles or launchers Germany intends to acquire, saying the details remain classified.

Trump says US will control Iran’s frozen funds under proposed aid arrangement

August 13, 2026June 24, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said the United States would retain control of Iran’s frozen assets under a proposed arrangement that would use the funds to purchase American agricultural products for shipment to Iran.

In a statement posted on his social media platform, Trump said Iran had not yet received any funds and that no frozen assets had been released.

He also dismissed reports that Iran was collecting fees from ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, warning that negotiations could be terminated immediately if false information was provided during the process.

Trump said the United States would oversee the management of Iran’s frozen funds and use the money to buy agricultural commodities from American farmers, including corn, wheat and soybeans, which would then be exported to Iran.

According to Trump, the proposal is aimed at addressing food shortages in Iran while supporting U.S. farmers.

He added that all goods purchased under the arrangement would be sourced from the United States.

The remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Washington and Tehran, although details of any final agreement regarding frozen Iranian assets have not yet been announced.

US issues license allowing Iranian crude oil and petrochemical shipments

August 13, 2026June 22, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: The United States has issued a general license authorizing Iran to produce, transport and sell crude oil and petrochemical products, temporarily easing longstanding sanctions following recent talks in Switzerland.

U.S. Treasury Secretary said in a social media post that Washington was providing temporary sanctions relief on Iranian oil and petrochemical exports after negotiations held in Switzerland.

According to the Treasury Department, the license allows Iran to continue producing, shipping and selling crude oil and petrochemical products through Aug. 21, 2026.

The department said the authorization also permits the import of Iranian crude oil, petroleum and petrochemical products into the United States under the terms of the license.

The United States had previously imposed restrictions on Iran’s oil exports as part of broader economic sanctions.

Earlier, Reuters, citing a senior Iranian official, reported that a proposed agreement between Washington and Tehran could include temporary easing of oil sanctions, allowing Iran to resume oil sales and access related revenues. The report also said the United States would refrain from imposing new economic sanctions on Iran while negotiations toward a final agreement continue.