Monday, August 31st, 2026
First committee meeting under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement begins in Istanbul
ISTANBUL, AUG 31: Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan gathered in Istanbul on Monday for the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who led the Kingdom’s delegation, arrived earlier accompanied by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and other senior military officials. The meeting is attended by defense and foreign ministers and military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. Discussions were expected to cover enhancing defense capabilities, greater interoperability amongRead More
EU says it will continue to work with US and G7 to keep up pressure on Iran
BRUSSELS, AUG 31: The European Union said on Monday that it would continue to work with the United States and other G7 and international partners to keep up pressure on Iran, as it issued a statement to coincide with this week’s G20 meeting. “The EU welcomes efforts at ensuring that Iran ceases its destabilizing activities and engages in peace negotiations with good faith, also through additional economic pressure, including through the US-led Operation Economic Outcast,” it said. “The EU will continue to work closely with the United States and otherRead More
Iran condemns new US attacks, says its forces acted in self-defense
TEHRAN: Iran on Monday condemned renewed US attacks on its island of Larak and justified strikes by Iranian forces on bases in Jordan as “legitimate defense.” In a statement, the foreign ministry said Iran “strongly condemned the American military aggression on Larak,” adding that Iranian forces responded “in accordance with the inherent right of legitimate defense.” Separatley, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz with air defense missiles, causing it to crash into Gulf waters, the Mehr news agency reported onRead More
Iran between Resistance and Diplomacy
Dr. Muhammad Akram Zaheer Wars rarely end when the guns fall silent. Their consequences remain in the calculations of states, in the fears of societies and, most importantly, in the doctrines that shape future policy. For Iran, the wars of the past four decades have produced a particularly enduring lesson: survival depends on resisting American and Israeli pressure while avoiding a confrontation in which Iran’s military disadvantages become decisive. That lesson took shape during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. Tehran came to see Iraq’s war effort not simply asRead More
President’s representatives visit Nepal Embassy to convey solidarity
Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Rita Dhital received them and expressed her appreciation for the solidarity and support extended by the Government and people of Pakistan to Nepal during this difficult time DNA ISLAMABAD, 31 Aug — Acting on the directives of the President of Pakistan, former Chairman of the Senate Syed Nayyar Bokhari and Presidential Spokesperson Murtaza Solangi visited the Embassy of Nepal in Islamabad to convey heartfelt condolences over the devastation caused by last week’s catastrophic flooding. The disaster, triggered by landslides and the bursting of a glacierRead More
Gilani calls for enhanced Pakistan-Italy cooperation in trade, investment and labour mobility
ISLAMABAD, AUG 31 /DNA/ – Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called for further strengthening Pakistan-Italy relations, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, labour mobility and people-to-people exchanges. Talking to Ambassador of Italy Ugo Ciarlatani, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Mr Gilani said Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding and friendly relations with Italy, based on mutual respect and expanding cooperation in diverse fields. He expressed confidence that Ambassador Ciarlatani would contribute to further strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure. Mr Gilani said Pakistan looks forward to welcomingRead More