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Wednesday, 15 July, 2026 | 29 Muharram, 1448
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 110 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
IRAN ‘QUITS’ ISLAMABAD MOU, VOWS TO DEFEND 'EVERY INCH' AS HORMUZ CRISIS DEEPENS g
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TEHRAN ACCUSES WASHINGTON OF DISMANTLING ISLAMABAD MEMORANDUM THROUGH REPEATED VIOLATIONS AND DECLARES AGREEMENT ‘NO LONGER BINDING’
TRUMP DROPS PROPOSED 20% HORMUZ TRANSIT FEE, SEEKS GULF TRADE AND INVESTMENT DEALS INSTEAD
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PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN VOWS IRAN WILL DEFEND EVERY INCH OF ITS TERRITORY AS FRESH ATTACKS INTENSIFY REGIONAL TENSIONS
IRAN INTRODUCES BILL TO REGULATE TRANSIT THROUGH STRAIT OF HORMUZ, SAYS MORE MEASURES ARE ON THE WAY
OMAN REITERATES NEUTRAL MEDIATION ROLE, URGES ALL PARTIES TO UPHOLD INTERNATIONAL LAW AND FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON/MUSCAT STAFF REPORT / AGENCIES
RAN on Tuesday vowed to defend "every inch" of its territory and announced it was withdrawing from the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), accusing the United States of systematically violating and ultimately dismantling the agreement, as military exchanges, diplomatic tensions and competing claims over the strategic Strait of Hormuz further heightened the regional crisis. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a defiant response to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who had claimed that the United States had destroyed the bulk of Iran's military capabilities. Responding to Trump's comments, Pezeshkian questioned whether Washington had achieved its objectives on the battlefield. "Their rhetoric continues, but the question is – have they reached their goals on the battlefield?" Pezeshkian said in televised remarks, according to Al Jazeera. "The people who decided to try to tear apart our country – what have their actions ultimately achieved?" he asked. "We will defend every inch of our homeland with our actions." Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi declared that Tehran was no longer bound by the Islamabad MoU with the United States, saying Washington had itself rendered the agreement void.
"America not only violated the memorandum of understanding but also dismantled it," Iran's state broadcaster IRIB quoted Gharibabadi as saying. "The failure to implement one of the clauses was enough to collapse the entire memorandum of understanding, and now America has violated all of its obligations." Trump rejects transit fee, backs Gulf investment Earlier, US President Donald Trump said no country should be allowed to charge transit fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. "We would like to invest tremendously in the United States as opposed to charging a fee. And I like that actually because I don't think anybody should be
Operation Shaban toll rises to 123 as security forces intensify offensive against terrorists ISLAMABAD/QUETTA STAFF REPORT
Security forces killed six more terrorists during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan on Tuesday, taking the total number of terrorists eliminated to 123 since July 5, as the military intensified intelligencebased operations across the province, state media reported quoting security sources. According to security sources quoted by state-run Radio Pakistan, 123 Khawarij terrorists have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations (IBOs) since July 5. "Since the 5th July, 123 Khawarij terrorists have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations," Radio Pakistan reported, quoting security sources. The report said security forces continued to inflict heavy losses on Khawarij terrorists through Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations. "IBOs will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated," it added. The joint operation involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan and Balochistan Police was launched following the terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam Police Post and remains underway, with security forces intensifying operations against terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij across the province. Fitna al-Khawarij is the term used by the state for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
able to charge a fee for the strait or for any other strait relationship in terms of other sections of the world," Trump said during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House. Trump said Gulf states had expressed willingness to increase investments in the United States instead of relying on transit charges. "The Gulf states are going to invest a tremendous amount of money into the US, and that was very satisfactory to me. I think it's actually much better," he said. The US president said he had spoken with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. "I spoke to all of them, and they would love to invest more money in
the United States at record amounts, and that would be very acceptable. This way, there's no fee. I don't like the concept of a fee." Trump argued that it was unfair for the United States to shoulder responsibility for protecting one of the world's most strategic maritime routes without receiving broader economic benefits. "It's not fair that we're protecting this strait for the entire world," he said. Asked whether he regretted lifting the naval blockade or granting sanctions waivers, Trump said he had given diplomacy an opportunity but blamed Iran for escalating the conflict. "No. I gave them a chance. I wanted to give them a chance at making a deal ... and they shot first, and that was a big mistake because we have been knocking the hell out of them," he said. Later, Trump formally abandoned his earlier proposal to impose a 20 per cent fee on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz, saying trade and investment agreements with Gulf countries would replace the plan. "Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States reimbursement fee with trade and investment deals that the various Gulf states will be making into the United States," he wrote on Truth Social. Trump did not cite any specific commitments, but said investments would be "massive" while remaining beneficial for Gulf countries.
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pM condemns Houthi missile attacks, reaffirms pakistan's unwavering support for Saudi arabia ISLAMABAD
SALEEM JADOON
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned the ballistic missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, describing them as a blatant violation of the kingdom's sovereignty and territorial integrity, reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with Riyadh and backing renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent a further escalation of the conflict in Yemen. In a post on his X account, the prime minister said Pakistan "strongly condemns the blatant attacks" launched against Saudi Arabia the previous night and reiterated Islamabad's steadfast support for the kingdom's security. "Such reprehensible actions constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability," PM Shehbaz said. The prime minister's statement came after Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that it had intercepted ballistic missiles fired towards the country's southern region by the Houthis.
Pakistan backs Saudi Arabia at UNSC, urges dialogue to avert wider Yemen conflict NEW YORK
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan on Monday threw its full weight behind Saudi Arabia at an emergency United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on Yemen, strongly condemning ballistic missile attacks targeting the kingdom, reaffirming unwavering support for its security and territorial integrity, and urging all parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to prevent a further escalation of the conflict. The emergency UNSC briefing was convened following a sharp escalation in Yemen after the Yemeni government targeted an international airport in Sanaa on Monday, while Saudi Arabia later announced that it had inter-
He said Pakistan "reaffirms its unwavering support for the kingdom's security and stands in complete solidarity with the brotherly
cepted ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis towards the kingdom's southern region. Yemen has remained mired in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention in support of the internationally recognised government the following year. According to the Yemeni government, the airport operation was aimed at preventing an Iranian aircraft from landing in Sanaa after a Houthi delegation, which had travelled to Tehran to attend the funeral of assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declined to return aboard a Yemenia Airways flight despite government efforts.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at this critical time."
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Dar calls for charter driven revitalised SAARC for regional connectivity, sustainable development ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called for revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in line with the organisation's founding Charter to strengthen regional connectivity, promote sustainable development and improve the collective well-being of the people of South Asia. The deputy prime minister highlighted South Asia's immense demographic and economic potential and reiterated Pakistan's steadfast commitment to the SAARC process during a meeting with SAARC Secretary General Md. Golam Sarwar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Foreign Office in post on X. During the meeting, Dar commended the Secretary General's efforts to promote regional cooperation and emphasised the importance of reinvigorating SAARC in accordance with the principles enshrined in its Charter to advance regional integration and shared prosperity. The Secretary General expressed appreciation for Pakistan's consistent support for SAARC and its institutions and thanked the deputy prime minister for Pakistan's constructive role in promoting regional and global peace. Dar wished the Secretary General success towards the conclusion of his tenure and conveyed his best wishes for his future endeavours. Dar stresses due recognition for deserving overseas Pakistanis In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar emphasised that the conferment of Civil Awards remained a transparent, fair and strictly merit-based process aimed at recognising individuals who had rendered outstanding services to Pakistan.
Pakistan, US deepen counterterrorism, cybercrime cooperation
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan and the United States have agreed to deepen cooperation in combating terrorism financing and cybercrime, with both sides discussing enhanced resource support and specialised training during Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's visit to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters in Washington, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Monday. The discussions underscored the continuing security partnership between Islamabad and Washington as Pakistan seeks to further strengthen its law enforcement capacity to counter terrorism financing, cybercrime, militancy and other transnational threats through greater technical cooperation, specialised training and intelligence coordination. "It was an honor to host the Pakistan Ministry of Interior, Mohsin Naqvi, here at Headquarters," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X. "[We held an] important discussion surrounding facilitating resources and specialized training to combat counterterrorism financing and cyber investigations both at home and abroad," he added. "Our partnership is critical and we look forward to more success ahead."
Field Marshal Munir, president erdoğan discuss regional security, deeper defense cooperation RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir discussed regional security and deeper defense cooperation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and senior military officials during a high-level visit to Turkiye, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday. “CDF Asim Munir called on President H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of National Defense, Yaşar Güler, to discuss matters of mutual interest and regional security,” the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement. “These high-level deliberations underscored the shared vision of both nations to foster a more robust strategic partnership in evolving geopolitical environment,” it added.
Field Marshal Munir also held talks with Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu on regional security and professional military matters, according to ISPR. Pakistan and Turkiye have built one of their closest defense partnerships in recent years, centered on naval cooperation, military training and defense manufacturing. Under a landmark agreement signed in 2018, Turkish defense firm ASFAT is building four MILGEM corvettes for the Pakistan Navy, two in Istanbul and two at Karachi Shipyard under a technology-transfer arrangement. The countries also hold regular joint naval exercises and have expanded cooperation in aerospace and unmanned systems. They have also explored broader regional security arrangements, including a draft trilateral defense agreement involving Saudi Arabia. Distinguished Service Medal Chief of General Staff Gen Selçuk
Bayraktaroğlu awarded CDF Munir the Turkish Armed Forces Distinguished Service Medal for his contribution to bilateral military cooperation, the statement said. Separately, Field Marshal Munir visited the Turkish Land Forces headquarters and met its commander, Gen. Metin Tokel. He also laid a wreath at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkiye. The field marshal’s visit also comes after months in which he has played a prominent role in Pakistan’s diplomacy over regional conflicts. He has made repeated trips to Iran as Islamabad mediated between Tehran and Washington, and joined high-level US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland in June. Pakistan, led by the field marshal, has also coordinated with Turkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other allies on efforts to contain wider Middle East instability.