Saturday, June 20th, 2026
Iran says Hormuz Strait closed over Israel attacks on Lebanon
TEHRAN, JUN 20: Iran’s central military command announced on Saturday that it had once again closed the vital Strait of Hormuz over Israel’s attacks on southern Lebanon, describing them as a breach of Tehran’s agreement with the US. “It is hereby announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to vessel traffic; It is noted that this first step is a response to the enemy’s breach of promise, and if the aggression continues, further steps will be planned and taken to force the enemy to comply with its obligations,”Read More
Iran warns US deal ‘in trouble’ if not implemented soon: Foreign ministry
TEHRAN, JUN 20: Iran’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that the agreement signed between Iran and the United States to halt the Middle East war will be “in trouble” unless its provisions are implemented soon. “The other side must take the necessary measures as soon as possible. Otherwise, the entire understanding will be in trouble,” ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, according to the official news agency IRNA. Iran’s foreign ministry said that its negotiating delegation would travel to Switzerland to discuss the implementation of the agreement signed between it andRead More
At the Edge: How Arbitrary Fuel Pricing Threatens Pakistan’s Supply Chain
By Faraz Ahmed The companies that keep Pakistan supplied are being pushed toward insolvency by overnight changes to how fuel is priced. If they tip over, the disruption will not stay inside the industry. It will reach every pump, and every doorstep. Pakistan’s downstream petroleum sector is closer to the edge than most people realise. The refineries that process crude and the oil marketing companies (OMCs) that move fuel to every district are being pushed toward insolvency, not by competition or mismanagement, but by a pricing regime that changes withoutRead More
Pakistan-mediated US-Iran technical talks to be held tomorrow in Bürgenstock: FO
ISLAMABAD, JUN 20: Pakistan on Saturday announced that technical-level talks between the US and Iran will be held tomorrow (Sunday) in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, as Islamabad stepped up diplomacy to keep the peace process on track. “Representatives of the United States and Iran, along with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, will participate in the discussions,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan will continue to “facilitate the process in its role as mediator” to advance the understandings reached between Tehran and Washington under the IslamabadRead More
Naqvi in Tehran as Pakistan seeks to keep Iran-US talks on track
TEHRAN, JUN 20: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Saturday as Islamabad stepped up diplomatic efforts to help advance US-Iran negotiations. The interior minister travelled to the Iranian capital after landing in Mashhad earlier today, where he later met FM Araghchi, Iranian media reported. Iran’s Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei had earlier told Isna news agency that “Pakistan’s interior minister will arrive in Iran at noon today, Saturday, as part of Pakistan’s efforts regarding the Iran-US negotiations.” Naqvi is also expectedRead More
Proposed telecom bill does not allow private land acquisition, clarifies IT ministry
ISLAMABAD, JUN 20: Amid an uproar over the recently passed Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organisation) Amendment Bill 2026, the Ministry of Information Technology has issued a clarification stating that the legislation aimed at expanding telecom infrastructure while “fully safeguarding private property rights”. A controversy erupted on Thursday in the Upper House of Parliament when the bill was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, whereby senators raised serious concerns. The controversial bill was passed by the National Assembly without raising any hue and cry on June 11. In a detailedRead More