Author: EchoAsiaNews

Iran has said that a US naval blockade has had little effect on its ability to supply essential goods and food, stressing that domestic production and alternative import routes are ensuring continued food security. Speaking on Monday, Iran’s Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri said the country remains largely self-sufficient in basic food supplies despite external pressure. “Despite the US naval blockade, we have no problem in supplying basic goods and food because, due to the size of the country, it is possible to import from different borders,” he said, according to reports carried by AFP. He added that around 85 percent…

Senior Khawaja Saad Rafique has called on the United States to lift its naval blockade on Iran, saying the move is necessary to enable Pakistan to play a mediating role between Tehran and Washington. In a statement, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader urged Washington to release what he described as a “captured Iranian ship” and end restrictions that are hindering diplomatic engagement. He added that removing these obstacles would allow Islamabad to bring Iran to the negotiating table. Rafique’s remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions and stalled diplomacy, with Pakistan positioning itself as a potential intermediary in efforts to…

Iran has said it is prepared to resume negotiations with the United States immediately, provided Washington lifts its naval blockade and halts what Tehran describes as violations of an existing ceasefire. Speaking at the United Nations, Iran’s ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani stated that diplomacy could restart as soon as the blockade on Iranian ports is removed, adding that current US actions are undermining the truce. Tehran maintains that the blockade constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement and has made its removal a precondition for any further talks. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions despite a temporary ceasefire extension, with…

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces are “rearming, retooling, and adjusting tactics” during the ongoing ceasefire with Iran, while reports indicate significant depletion in US missile stockpiles following recent military operations. In a social media statement accompanied by footage of warplanes, naval vessels, and US troops, CENTCOM said its forces remain fully prepared for any contingency. US Central Command is currently led by Admiral Brad Cooper, who appeared alongside US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in an updated briefing. Cooper said US forces are actively adapting during the ceasefire period, stating: “We are rearming, we’re retooling, and we’re adjusting our…

US President Donald Trump is considering extending a temporary waiver of the Jones Act to facilitate increased domestic fuel shipments, according to a report cited by Reuters from Axios. The waiver allows foreign-flagged vessels to transport fuel and other goods between US ports, bypassing restrictions under the maritime law. Trump had previously suspended certain Jones Act requirements for 60 days starting March 17, in an effort to ease fuel price pressures linked to disruptions from the Iran conflict by enabling greater movement of oil products from the US Gulf Coast to other domestic markets. The potential extension is being viewed…

🚨 FACT CHECK Indian Media Claim (May 2025):“United States has captured Islamabad”, Pakistan’s capital under US control. (Also pushed: “Indian Army captured Islamabad”, “Karachi Port destroyed”, “PM Shehbaz Sharif surrendered”, “military coup in Islamabad”). VERDICT: 100% FALSE — Reckless Fake News & Propaganda The Viral Proof:This Instagram Reel (DXYfE9gDIuw) from @pakistan.econet exposes it perfectly: an Indian news anchor hysterically announces the US “captured Islamabad” while showing completely unrelated footage of a civilian transport plane landing. No US troops. No invasion. Pure studio desperation. This clip resurfaced and went viral because it perfectly captures the meltdown on Indian TV during Operation…

At least eight people were killed and 15 others injured, including two critically, after a fire broke out at a firecracker storage facility in southern India’s Kerala state, police said on Tuesday. Police chief Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh said rescue operations had been completed and the cause of the fire was under investigation. Local media reported that the blaze erupted during preparations for a Hindu festival. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims, saying he was “saddened” by the loss of lives. The incident comes days after a similar fire at a firecracker factory in neighbouring…

US crude oil prices rose in early trading despite Washington’s announcement of an indefinite extension of a ceasefire with Iran, as uncertainty over peace negotiations and supply routes persisted. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed to as high as $90.70 per barrel before settling at $90.26, up 59 cents, or 0.7 per cent, at 22:15 GMT (3:15am PKT), according to Reuters. The benchmark contract had already gained 2.8 per cent in the previous session, reflecting continued volatility in global energy markets. Market sentiment remained cautious as doubts persisted over the stability of US-Iran peace talks and the status…

Doubt has emerged over the continuation of the Iran ceasefire after US President Donald Trump said he would extend the truce indefinitely, even as there is no clear indication that Iran or its regional allies will accept the move. Trump said the decision followed a request from Pakistani mediators to allow additional time for negotiations, adding that US military action would remain suspended until Iranian leaders present a unified proposal and talks conclude. The announcement appeared to be a unilateral extension of the ceasefire, raising questions over its implementation on the ground amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Despite…

The United States has announced plans to further tighten economic pressure on Iran, warning of continued restrictions on maritime oil flows and potential sanctions against vessels and financial facilitators linked to Tehran’s energy trade. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement posted on X that the US Navy would maintain a blockade on Iranian ports as part of an ongoing strategy to restrict the country’s oil exports. He claimed that Iran’s Kharg Island storage facilities could reach capacity within days, potentially forcing oil production shutdowns and significantly reducing the country’s revenue from energy exports. Bessent said the measures…