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CHAOS AS IRAN TARGETS GULF BASES AFTER US, ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 201, INJURE 747
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Sunday, 1 March, 2026 | 11 Ramazan, 1447
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US AND ISRAEL STRUCK IRANIAN CITIES INCLUDING ISFAHAN TO DISMANTLE IRANIAN REGIME'S SECURITY APPARATUS: CENTCOM
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 236 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
TEHRAN RETALIATES WITH ATTACKS ON LOCATIONS WITH US MILITARY BASES ACROSS MIDDLE EAST, TARGETING DUBAI, DOHA, BAHRAIN AND KUWAIT
A SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS HEARD AND AIR RAID SIRENS SOUNDED OVER JERUSALEM FOLLOWING IRAN’S DRONE ATTACKS
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IRANIAN FM SAYS SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI ‘ALIVE, SAFE’
UNSC SCHEDULES MEETING AFTER RUSSIA AND CHINA REQUESTED AN EMERGENCY MEETING
Dar condemns 'unwarranted attacks' on Iran ISLAMABAD
staff report
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TEHRAN
staff report
RAN’s Revolutionary Guards have launched a new wave of missiles against US bases in the Gulf, and Israel, following US and Israeli strikes in 24 province of Iran that killed 201 and injured over 700, according to Irani officials and media reports. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps “has started a new wave of missile attacks against American bases”, state TV reported, citing the IRGC. Earlier, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday that a first wave of retaliatory missile and drone attacks had been launched against Israel, following US and Israeli strikes in Iran. A spokesperson for Iran’s Red Crescent Society told Mehr news agency that US and Israeli attacks have hit 24 of Iran’s provinces, killing at least 201 people and wounding 747 people. The spokesperson said that more than 220 Red Crescent teams are present at the targeted sites, and rescue operations continue. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had begun striking targets at 1:15 a.m. ET (0615 GMT) "to dismantle the Iranian regime's security apparatus", it said in a post on X. It said the targets included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. "Following the initial wave of U.S. and partner strikes, CENTCOM forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks," CENTCOM said. Iranian media, citing the Red Crescent, also said the US and Israeli attacks hit 24 provinces in Iran, killing 201 and injuring 747. Israel's military said its pilots had hit hundreds of targets throughout Iran, including strategic defence systems already damaged in strikes last year. It said three sites where leaders had been meeting were struck simultaneously, and several senior figures were killed. Following the strikes, Iranian residents reached by phone described scenes of chaos and alarm as they rushed to collect their children from school or made preparations to leave home temporarily. "We are going to our hometown in Yazd, Tehran is not safe anymore," said Gholamreza, a Tehran shopkeeper and father of two. "I am leaving everything behind in Tehran." Following US and Israeli strikes, Iran retaliated
with attacks across the Middle East, targeting Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait — locations with US military bases or allied to the United States — and other areas Explosions were reported in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. Bahrain said the service centre of the US Fifth Fleet had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage from witnesses in Bahrain showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the small island state’s coastline as sirens wailed. At least half a dozen witnesses, including Reuters correspondents, heard loud booms in various parts of the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, a major oil producer and close US ally. One witness told Reuters she heard five booms in rapid succession that caused windows in a house near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche to vibrate. Other witnesses in the Al Dhafra and Bateen areas also reported loud explosions. Qatar said it had downed all missiles targeting the country, according to the state news agency. A Qatari official told AFP that defence systems intercepted an Iranian missile as warning sirens sounded across the Gulf state. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Qatar’s US-made Patriot interceptors downed the missile. Qatar hosts the AlUdeid military base, the largest U.S. military facility in the region. Iran, in a letter to the United Nations, said all US and Israeli bases, facilities and assets in the region are “legitimate military targets". In the same letter, Iran said it would continue to exercise its right of self‑defence “until the aggression ceases fully and unequivocally”. Meanwhile, The UAE said one person was killed by falling shrapnel following the Iranian missile attack. The United Arab Emirates said it was targeted on Saturday by what it described as a “blatant attack” involving Iranian ballistic missiles, adding that its air defence systems intercepted a number of them. The Defence Ministry said debris fell in a residential area of Abu Dhabi, causing material damage and killing one person of Asian nationality. Authorities said the security situation was under control and that all relevant agencies were monitoring developments around the clock. The ministry strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “dangerous escalation” and a “cowardly act” that threatens civilian safety and regional stability. It said the strike was a clear violation of the UAE’s sovereignty and international law.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has strongly condemned what he described as “unwarranted attacks against Iran” during a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the two leaders reviewed the evolving situation in Iran and the wider region amid heightened tensions. Dar denounced the strikes and called for an immediate halt to escalation through the urgent resumption of diplomacy to achieve a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis.
The latest developments follow strikes launched on Saturday by the United States and Israel against Iran, which have triggered renewed military confrontation in the region. In the aftermath, several Gulf Arab states reported being targeted by Iranian missiles after Tehran vowed retaliation against the US and Israeli actions, further raising concerns of a broader regional spillover. Separately, Dar also held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Both leaders expressed deep concern over the unfolding regional developments and agreed to remain in close contact as the situation evolves, the Foreign Office added.
Pakistani national killed in Iranian missile strike on UAE DUBAI
agenCies
A Pakistani national was killed in Iranian missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), diplomatic officials confirmed on Saturday, as the Middle East reeled from a sharp military escalation between Iran, Israel and the United States. Officials told Geo News that the Pakistani citizen died in Abu Dhabi after being hit by missile fragments. Authorities are in contact with the UAE government, while the identity of the deceased has not yet been made public.
The fatality came hours after Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Iran, triggering a sweeping missile retaliation by Tehran against Gulf states and Israel. US President Donald Trump had vowed to dismantle Iran’s missile arsenal and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, raising fears of a broader regional war. In response, Iran fired multiple missiles across the Gulf, with several Arab states confirming they were targeted. UAE state media earlier reported one death in Abu Dhabi without disclosing details.
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PM Shehbaz rallies gulf allies as Israel-US strikes on Iran ignite regional crisis ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reached out to key Gulf leaders as the Middle East plunged into renewed turmoil following coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, triggering retaliatory missile attacks across the region. In a telephonic conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the sharp escalation sparked by Israeli attacks on Iran and subsequent strikes on Gulf states, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. Assuring Riyadh of Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity, the premier said Islamabad would stand by its “Saudi brothers and sisters at all times and under all circumstances.” He also offered Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in easing tensions and ex-
pressed hope that the blessings of Ramadan would help restore peace to the region. Separately, PM Shehbaz spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, conveying Pakistan’s strong condemnation of what he described as a dangerous regional escalation. In a post on X, the prime minister expressed deep sorrow over the death of a Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi, reaffirming full solidarity with the UAE during what he termed “difficult times.” The Prime Minister also held a telephone conversation with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, later in the evening. During the telephone call, the Prime Minister strongly condemned the serious regional escalation from the Israeli attack on Iran earlier in the day that was followed by the regrettable attacks against Qatar as well as in other Gulf countries.
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Petrol price raised by Rs8, diesel by Rs5.16 for next fortnight PROFIT
ahmad ahmadani
The government on Saturday raised the price of petrol by Rs8 per litre to Rs266.17 and highspeed diesel by Rs5.16 per litre to Rs280.86 for the next fortnight starting March 1, 2026, adding fresh pressure on inflation-weary consumers and increasing transport and agriculture costs across the country. According to the Petroleum Division, the revised prices were notified on the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for the fortnight beginning March 1. The price of Motor Spirit (petrol) has been increased from Rs258.17 to Rs266.17 per litre, while High-Speed Diesel (HSD) has gone up from Rs275.70 to Rs280.86 per litre. Petrol is primarily used in motorcycles, rickshaws and small private vehicles, making it the most widely consumed fuel among middle- and lower-middle-income households. The latest increase is therefore expected to directly impact daily commuters, salaried individuals and small businesses that rely on petrol-powered transport. High-Speed Diesel, on the other hand, is largely used by heavy transport vehicles, buses, trucks, tractors, tube wells and railway locomotives.
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Pakistan rules out talks until Kabul addresses cross-border terrorism ISLAMABAD
EU urges Pakistan, Afghanistan to engage in dialogue to reduce rising tension
saleem jadoon
Pakistan on Saturday ruled out any talks with Afghanistan until cross-border terrorism “emanating from Afghan soil” is fully eliminated, reporting that 352 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed and over 535 injured in response to “unwarranted and unprovoked” attacks along the border. The latest escalation followed unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces at multiple sectors along Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border on Thursday, prompting Islamabad to launch Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, which the government described as a response to “open war.” This development came in the aftermath of Pakistan’s airstrikes on terrorist camps and bases across Afghan border areas last weekend. Islamabad has long accused Afghanistan of providing sanctuary to terrorist groups, including outlawed Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan militants, a claim repeatedly denied by Kabul. Providing an update on Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan’s armed forces had killed 331 Afghan fighters, destroyed over 100 posts, and targeted 37 military locations inside Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Afghan officials claimed that more than 50 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several posts were captured by
The European Union has called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to reduce rising tensions between the two neighboring countries. In a statement issued from Brussels, the EU urged both sides to de-escalate the situation and resolve their differences through diplomatic channels. The bloc expressed concern over the growing wave of violence in South Asia and stressed the importance of maintaining regional stability. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas voiced serious concern over the deteriorating security situation. She called on the
Afghan de facto authorities to take effective action against terrorist groups and reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used against any other country. Meanwhile, Turkey has also stepped in to help ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate telephone conversations with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss the evolving situation. In addition, Iran has offered to play a sincere role in facilitating reconciliation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed willingness to support efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and stability between the two countries.
expect the Afghan regime and the world to help reduce instability and disorder in this region.” The United States also expressed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against attacks from the Afghan Taliban. A State Department spokesperson told Reuters that Washington was aware of the escalation, expressed sorrow over the loss of life, and reaf-
firmed that “terrorist groups use Afghanistan as a launching pad for their heinous attacks.” Meanwhile, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid called for dialogue to resolve the crisis. “We have always emphasized peaceful resolution, and now too we want the issue to be resolved through dialogue,” he said on Friday.
BRUSSELS
staff Correspondent
their forces. Asked about Pakistan’s objective, Tarar said: “Neutralizing the threat and ensuring that Pakistan is safe. For us, we have been good neighbors, very generous neighbors. Unfortunately, our generosity has often been seen as weakness. The aim is to neutralize the threat and make Pakistan safe.” When asked about a ceasefire, he said it was “too early” to comment as the situation is evolving. Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, reiterated that no talks with
Afghanistan would take place until Kabul addressed the cross-border terrorism issue. “There won’t be any talks. Terrorism from Afghanistan has to end,” Zaidi told state-run Pakistan TV Digital, adding that Islamabad will continue to target militant havens inside Afghanistan. “Pakistan’s responsibility is to protect its citizens. If we know a terrorist or enabler is at a location, we will neutralize the threat.” He said the government’s position had been clearly articulated to both the international community and the Afghan Taliban: “We