Author: colorsnews.in

Tehran, Aug 6 (IANS) Iran and Oman are close to finalising an agreement on new arrangements for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, under which the temporary northern and southern routes will be replaced by a new single route passing through Iran’s territorial waters for two to four months, said a senior Iranian diplomat.

In an interview with the official news agency IRNA published on Wednesday (local time), Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the two sides had reached an in-principle agreement on almost all relevant issues, including the entry and exit route map, following more than three weeks of consultations.

He said the potential agreement did not mean that the strait would be reopened completely, reports Xinhua news agency.

Gharibabadi rejected US claims of negotiations with Iran, saying Tehran had received messages from Washington expressing readiness to return to commitments under the peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides in June.

Meanwhile, an informed source close to the Iranian negotiating team told semi-official Fars news agency that the reopening of the strait hinges on tangible US implementation of its commitments, adding that the US Treasury Department’s removal of sanctions on an Iraqi airline on Wednesday was unrelated to the Iran-US MoU.

Iran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States, following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.

The US military launched multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets last month, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait and aimed at “degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.”

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US military bases and facilities in the region.

–IANS

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Washington, Aug 6 (IANS) A federal judge in Washington has allowed the Trump administration to terminate temporary protected status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Haitians — a decision that places them at risk of deportation to a Caribbean nation where hunger is considered alarming.

TPS shields migrants from deportation when their home countries face crises such as conflicts or natural disasters.

US District Judge Ana C. Reyes from the US District Court for the District of Columbia previously blocked the administration from terminating TPS protections for Haitians, and a federal appellate court later upheld that block.

But the US Supreme Court ruled in June by a 6-3 vote that TPS determinations are not subject to judicial review under federal law, which could impact immigrants from Haiti, Syria and other countries that the US State Department considers highly dangerous, reports Xinhua news agency.

Reyes on Wednesday (Local time) reversed her decision in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling, saying in her new order on Wednesday that “the Supreme Court’s judgment reversed the judgment of this Court in this Court’s Order dated February 2, 2026,” and therefore the court’s order pausing the termination of Haiti’s TPS status “is no longer in effect.”

About 200,000 Haitians with TPS hold jobs, with large concentrations of workers in health care, food service, warehousing, retail and long-term caregiving, according to an analysis of government data by the immigration advocacy group FWD.us, as cited by The Washington Post.

The US Department of State classifies Haiti as a Level 4 destination, its highest risk advisory level, citing the risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and limited health care.

–IANS

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Sanaa, Aug 6 (IANS) Yemen’s Houthi group have said it had targeted a Saudi oil tanker with a ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden, several hours after claiming a separate missile attack on another Saudi tanker in the northern Red Sea.

In a statement posted on social media platform X on Wednesday (local time), Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the tanker, identified as “Daisy,” was hit by a ballistic missile and “forced to turn back.”

Sarea said the attack was part of the group’s declared maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia under a “blockade-for-blockade” policy.

He said Houthi forces are closely monitoring Saudi oil tankers and will block their passage through the southern and northern Red Sea until what they call a blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen is lifted, reports Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said a tanker reported hearing a loud explosion nearby while sailing in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen’s southern coast on Wednesday, adding that all crew were safe.

Earlier in the day, the Houthis said they had targeted the Saudi oil tanker “Wafa” with several ballistic missiles off the Saudi port city of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea. Sarea called the strike “precise,” without providing further details.

There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on either claim, which could not be independently verified.

The latest claims come amid escalating tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. On July 20, the Houthis announced a maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea, citing an alleged Saudi blockade on Houthi-held areas.

The group has also claimed multiple attacks on Saudi-linked vessels, energy sites and airports, while the Saudi-led coalition has resumed limited airstrikes on key Houthi military targets in Yemen.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government.

–IANS

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New Delhi/Dhaka, Aug 6 (IANS) Several former Ministers from Bangladesh have strongly criticised the Tarique Rahman-led government over its remarks targeting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, describing the administration’s political rhetoric as “juvenile” and accusing it of abandoning diplomatic decorum while attempting to suppress dissenting voices.

The criticism came after Hasina addressed the media virtually in New Delhi. Hasina, who has been living in exile in India for the past two years, also said that she would return to her home country by the year-end.

The BNP-led Bangladesh government described Hasina as an “absconding convicted genocider”, a “mass murderer” and the head of a “mafia enterprise” while referring to the anniversary of the 2024 July Revolution. The government also urged India to extradite the former Prime Minister and termed the scheduled event featuring her an affront to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

The former Ministers also criticised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government for targeting India over the matter, drawing comparisons between Sheikh Hasina’s current address from abroad and Tarique Rahman’s own political activities while he was living in exile.

They further objected to the language used in the statement issued by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing it as undiplomatic and comparing it to what they termed a child’s sulking letter addressed to India.

Former Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat said the tone adopted by the Foreign Ministry was inappropriate for an official institution of the state.

“The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs carries a tone of juvenile anger that is wholly unbecoming of a diplomatic communique or any state institution. While an individual may speak out of petulance or personal resentment, an institution must uphold composure, professionalism, and dignity,” Arafat said.

Former Foreign Minister A. K. Abdul Momen also criticised the present administration, accusing it of suppressing media freedom and alleging that television channels and newspapers in Bangladesh did not publish or broadcast Sheikh Hasina’s speech.

In a post on X, Momen said, “Now this racist government of Tarique Rahman has expressed outrage against the Indian government and the Indian media organisations for not stopping Sheikh Hasina from speaking to reporters. They argued that she must not be allowed to open her mouth and tell the truth about the meticulously designed overthrow of her democratically elected government, as she has been convicted in a kangaroo court in absentia.”

Momen further stated that during her address, Sheikh Hasina placed three key demands before the people of Bangladesh, including the withdrawal of the ban imposed on the Awami League, the withdrawal of what she described as politically motivated and false cases filed against her supporters, and the restoration of the rule of law and judicial independence in the country.

He also drew a comparison with Tarique Rahman’s period in exile in the United Kingdom, arguing that despite Rahman being a convicted individual under a caretaker government, Sheikh Hasina’s administration never prevented him from addressing the people of Bangladesh.

“Interestingly, Tarique Rahman while in exile in UK (and was a convicted criminal by a Caretaker Government) during the past 17 years was never been denied by the Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government to speak to his people. But once in power, he is curbing freedom of speech and freedom of expression and media both home and beyond,” the former Minister added.

Meanwhile, India on Tuesday had made it clear that it is not involved in any way in former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s interaction with the media and the programme was being organised by a private media entity.

Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the government is neither associated with the event nor endorses any views that may be expressed during the address.

“The interaction being referred to is being organised by a private media entity. The government has no involvement whatsoever in it and does not endorse any views that may be expressed at the forum,” Jaiswal had said.

–IANS

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The Hague, Aug 6 (IANS) A wildfire that has burned through a nature reserve in the municipality of Venray in the southern Dutch province of Limburg is now under control. However, it has not yet been fully extinguished, the local safety authority has said.

The North Limburg Safety Region on Wednesday (local time) said mop-up operations are underway, and firefighters will continue to monitor the area to ensure that any flare-ups are detected and contained quickly.

The fire broke out on Monday. At least 100 hectares of the nature reserve have been affected, and around 300 firefighters were deployed to battle the blaze, supported by the Dutch defence helicopters, reports Xinhua news agency.

The blaze, described by the North Limburg Safety Region as “very large,” had spread across an area of undetermined size.

No injuries or property damage have been reported, and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.

According to the spokesperson, the fire department had deployed a large number of firefighters and vehicles to battle the blaze. Given the scale of the fire and the expected duration of the operation, additional firefighting units were mobilised, with crews operating in rotating fire platoons. Firefighters expect the operation to continue for a considerable time.

Meanwhile, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) had issued warnings for local thunderstorms and strong wind gusts in Limburg on Monday evening. A Code Yellow high-temperature warning remains in effect across the province, as well as in the rest of the country.

The fire department is battling the blaze with a fire platoon comprising multiple fire engines and support vehicles. Three military helicopters have also been deployed to assist with the firefighting operation.

No injuries or property damage have been reported, and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.

–IANS

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Aden (Yemen), Aug 6 (IANS) A tanker reported hearing a loud explosion nearby while sailing in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen’s southern coast, the latest incident amid heightened maritime tensions following a renewed Houthi campaign against shipping.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on social media platform X on Wednesday (local time) that the incident occurred about 95 nautical miles southeast of Aden.

“The Master of a tanker reported hearing a loud explosion in close proximity to the vessel,” it said, adding that all crew are safe.

Residents in Mukayras, a Houthi-controlled area in central Yemen’s al-Bayda province, told Xinhua news agency they have received information indicating the Houthis had launched a missile from the area toward the Gulf of Aden.

It remains unclear whether the two incidents were connected, and the Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility.

The development comes amid escalating tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier on Monday (local time), a cargo vessel reported that it had been hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman.

According to a UKMTO advisory, the incident occurred earlier on Monday in waters about 20 nautical miles northeast of Al Khasab, Oman, near the eastern entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.

The UKMTO also mentioned that the cargo vessel reported via VHF radio that it had been struck by an unknown projectile, the warning noted.

The UKMTO advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to the agency.

On July 20, the Houthis announced a maritime ban on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea, citing an alleged Saudi blockade on Houthi-held areas.

The group has also claimed multiple attacks on Saudi-linked vessels, energy sites and airports, while the Saudi-led coalition has resumed airstrikes on key Houthi military targets in Yemen.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government.

–IANS

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Washington, Aug 6 (IANS) The US Department of the Treasury has removed Iraqi commercial airline Fly Baghdad and two of its aircraft from its sanctions list linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Fly Baghdad Airlines, also known as Iraq Express, and two of its Boeing 737 aircraft have been deleted from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, said a statement from the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury on Wednesday (local time).

Fly Baghdad Airlines was originally designated in January 2024, on the allegation that it provided support to the IRGC’s Quds Force and its proxy militias in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

The change was made after going through an internal reconsideration process, according to an official with the department, reports Xinhua news agency.

“This is not indicative of any shift in US policy toward the Government of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, any designated terrorist organisation, or any person who supports or acts on behalf of any of these,” multiple media outlets quoted the anonymous official as saying.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday (local time) that a deal with Iran could be reached within days to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States and Iran are now holding talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz after the two sides paused attacks over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said that Iran and Oman have made progress in talks on establishing a safe commercial shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

He also mentioned that Tehran has no plans for senior officials to visit Pakistan or Qatar this weekend.

Baghaei told reporters on Wednesday (local time) that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on the geographical coordinates of the proposed route, and are finalising a joint statement outlining key agreed-upon points, provided that “certain third parties” do not hinder the process, according to a ministry press release.

Both countries have been holding consultations over the past two months on the proposed route, with Iranian authorities reviewing the technical, legal, security, and environmental dimensions, he said.

Baghaei said the strait was closed due to US and Israeli “military aggression” against Iran and the resulting security consequences for the region.

The bilateral understanding between Iran and Oman, by itself, does not mean that the strait has become safe for transiting vessels, as the US maritime blockade and other “aggressive and threatening” actions against Iran and its interests continue, he said.

–IANS

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Tehran, Aug 6 (IANS) Iran and Oman have made progress in talks on establishing a safe commercial shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said.

He also mentioned that Tehran has no plans for senior officials to visit Pakistan or Qatar this weekend.

Baghaei told reporters on Wednesday (local time) that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on the geographical coordinates of the proposed route, and are finalising a joint statement outlining key agreed-upon points, provided that “certain third parties” do not hinder the process, according to a ministry press release.

Both countries have been holding consultations over the past two months on the proposed route, with Iranian authorities reviewing the technical, legal, security, and environmental dimensions, he said.

Baghaei said the strait was closed due to US and Israeli “military aggression” against Iran and the resulting security consequences for the region.

The bilateral understanding between Iran and Oman, by itself, does not mean that the strait has become safe for transiting vessels, as the US maritime blockade and other “aggressive and threatening” actions against Iran and its interests continue, he said.

Meanwhile, Baghaei told reporters that there are currently no plans for visits by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi or Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to Pakistan or Qatar this weekend, adding that Pakistan and Qatar continue efforts to ease regional tensions and that Iran remains in contact and exchanges views with them, reports Xinhua news agency.

Separately, Araghchi briefed his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, on the latest diplomatic developments between Iran and Oman during a phone call on Wednesday, according to Iran’s official news agency, IRNA.

Both ministers stressed the importance of continuing political and diplomatic consultations and regional cooperation to help reduce tensions, IRNA reported.

Iran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States, following their joint strikes on Iranian territory.

The US military launched multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets last month, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait and aimed at “degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.”

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US military bases and facilities in the region.

–IANS

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