IRAN WARNS HORMUZ ROUTE CHANGES WILL INFLAME TENSIONS AS TRUCE TEETERS In partnership with
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Monday, 29 June, 2026 | 13 Muharram, 1448
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FM ARAGHCHI REJECTS ANY BID TO BYPASS PAKISTAN-BROKERED STRAIT OF HORMUZ ARRANGEMENTS
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TEHRAN, WASHINGTON TRADE FRESH STRIKES, ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF VIOLATING FRAGILE CEASEFIRE
TEHRAN URGES STRICT ADHERENCE TO ISLAMABAD MOU, CALLS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY FRAMEWORK
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TEHRAN/WASHINGTON
STAFF REPORT
Three Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) personnel embraced martyrdom while thwarting a terrorist assault on a Rangers camp in Karachi's Gulistani-Jauhar, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday, adding that the attack by terrorists belonging to the "Indian proxy, Jamaatul Ahrar" was decisively foiled. According to the military's media wing, the attackers targeted the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Camp in Gulistan-iJauhar after detonating an explosive at the main gate before attempting to breach the facility's perimeter. "The assailants, after a blast at
STAFF REPORT
Security sources on Sunday said the terrorist arrested after the foiled attack on the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp in Karachi identified himself as Usman Ali and disclosed that he had entered Pakistan from Jalalabad, Afghanistan, along with three other attackers. According to the sources, Ali identified his accomplices as Abdul Hadi, Janaan and Umar Farooq, and admitted that they belonged to Jamaatul Ahrar. He also
other of breaching the truce intended to end the Middle East conflict. Araghchi urged all parties to "adhere to the memorandum of understanding and not to allow this MoU to deviate from its course." He added that "we should reach a new framework that includes all countries in the region and without the presence or interference of any country from outside the region." His remarks echoed a proposal made earlier this week by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who called for a new "regional security structure" among countries in the region. Araghchi also welcomed Iraq's proposal to convene a meeting involving the Gulf states, Iran and Iraq, which has been drawn into the regional conflict since its outset.
Following the US strikes, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday it had stepped up measures to control maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and warned that vessels violating Tehran's designated route would face stricter action than before. The only passage authorised by Tehran runs through a corridor along Iran's coastline. However, vessel-tracking platforms showed that ships continued using a nonIranian-approved route through the strategic waterway on Friday. A day earlier, the IRGC said Oman and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) had announced the new shipping corridor without consulting Tehran and warned
the main gate of the Camp, attempted to breach the perimeter security. However, their nefarious designs were "decisively foiled" by the vigilant and resolute response of Rangers troops, eliminating three kharijis and capturing one khariji, who is an Afghan national, in injured condition," the ISPR said. The government designates the perpetrators of terrorist attacks in the country as "kharijis" (outcasts). The ISPR said three "brave sons of the soil" embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire while four other soldiers sustained injuries. The military further asserted that Pakistan "shall undertake retribution operations against the perpe-
identified the group's commander in Afghanistan as Ahrar Moulvi. The sources said the arrested terrorist revealed that he and his companions had received training in Afghanistan. According to his account, a man identified as Umar Qari, who also trained the group, provided him only with an explosive jacket in Afghanistan, while the terrorists themselves prepared the explosive material. Regarding the attack, Ali told investigators that Janaan had hurled a bomb at the Rangers camp, the sources said.
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trators of this attack to avenge the martyrdom of its soldiers." Sanitisation operations were continuing to eliminate any remaining "Indian-sponsored" terrorists in the area, it added. The ISPR reaffirmed that the security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue the relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country. Chief of Defence Staff (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers. "These sacrifices further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs," the statement said. Explosion, gunfire rock Gulistani-Jauhar Residents of Karachi's Gulistani-Jauhar reported hearing a powerful explosion followed by intense gunfire at around 8pm on Saturday. Specialised security units, law enforcement personnel and rescue teams rushed to the scene, while police and paramilitary forces cordoned off the area. Initial reports indicated that the attackers rammed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VB-IED) into the main gate of the Rangers headquarters in Block 5 of Gulistan-i-Jauhar, triggering a massive explosion before storming the compound and opening indiscriminate fire.
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aramco helicopter crash kills 14 in Saudi arabia RIYADH
AGENCIES
A helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia killed 14 Saudi citizens on Sunday, the kingdom’s official press agency reported, adding that the aircraft belonged to state oil giant Aramco. The Saudi Press Agency, citing an official at the energy ministry, reported the helicopter crashed in Ras Tanura in the country’s east. “The accident claimed the lives of all 14 passengers, all Saudi citizens,” the agency said, adding that an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the crash. The incident took place at 6am local time (0300 GMT), the state news agency said.
BAHRAIN SEEKS URGENT UN SECURITY COUNCIL SESSION AS GULF TENSIONS ESCALATE
ISLAMABAD
Captured Karachi attacker says Jamaatul Ahrar trained in Afghanistan, entered via Jalalabad KARACHI/RAWALPINDI
IRGC CLAIMS ATTACKS ON US BASES IN BAHRAIN, KUWAIT AFTER AMERICAN STRIKES INSIDE IRAN
SALEEM JADOON
three troops martyred as 'indian proxy' attack on Rangers camp 'decisively foiled': iSpR KARACHI/RAWALPINDI
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dar confers with eu's Kallas, Bahrain FM as iran-uS ceasefire frays
STAFF REPORT AND AGENCIES
RAN's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday that any attempt to bypass the Strait of Hormuz routes agreed with the United States would "increase tensions" in the Middle East, as Tehran and Washington exchanged fresh attacks and traded accusations of violating a fragile Pakistan-brokered ceasefire. Araghchi's warning came after the US military said it carried out fresh strikes early Sunday on multiple targets inside Iran in response to a new attack on a ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran retaliated by launching strikes against US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, further exposing the fragility of the Pakistan-mediated interim peace agreement aimed at ending the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, which disrupted shipping through the strategic waterway and rattled global energy markets. "Any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements compared to what is underway by the Islamic Republic of Iran will only lead to more complicated situations and delays in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and will increase the tensions, as we witnessed in the past two nights," Araghchi told a press conference in Baghdad. During his visit to the Iraqi capital, the Iranian foreign minister also called for the establishment of a regional security framework involving Gulf countries, as Tehran and Washington continued to accuse each
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar extended condolences over the incident. “The government, myself and the people of Pakistan are deeply grieved by the tragic news of the helicopter crash in Ras Tanura, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has claimed the 14 precious lives,” he said in a message on X. “Pakistan extends heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the Kingdom,” he said, adding, “Pakistan stands in complete and unwavering solidarity with our Saudi brethren in this hour of national grief.” Moreover, in a telephonic conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on the same day, FM Dar also ex-
pressed “sincere condolences” over the “sad incident” on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, the government, and the people of Pakistan, the Foreign Office said. Aramco says it operates more than 60 aircraft, including helicopters, serving more than 300 heliports in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the largest corporate fleets in the region. The deadly accident comes as oil-rich Gulf nations seek to ramp up their output following Iranian attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the export of oil and gas. The Gulf monarchy did not indicate the incident was in any way connected to a hostile attack.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday held separate "crucial talks" with European Union High Representative/Vice President (EU HRVP) Kaja Kallas and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani to review the rapidly evolving regional situation amid “mounting concerns” over recent “ceasefire violations,” according to the Foreign Office (FO). The high-level diplomatic engagements came as the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States showed signs of unraveling, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the interim agreement signed less than two weeks ago to end their four-month conflict. Iran launched missiles and drones at US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain on Sunday, while the United States said it carried out fresh strikes inside Iran.
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commercial vessels against using it. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), brokered by Pakistan between the
pakistan reaffirms Middle east peace push amid renewed regional escalation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Middle East as renewed military exchanges threatened to unravel the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States, with both sides accusing each other of violating the Pakistan-brokered interim agreement signed less than two weeks ago. The renewed escalation saw Iran launch missiles and drones at US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain, while the United States announced fresh strikes on targets inside Iran. Separately, Israel said it had struck Iran-backed Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, deepening concerns over the durability of the regional truce.
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United States and Iran on June 18, was aimed at bringing a lasting end to the war.
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