US Ambassador Sergio Gor calls Jammu and Kashmir important part of India after meeting Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. Ambassador Gor, who arrived in Srinagar as part of his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since assuming office, held discussions with Omar Abdullah on India-US relations and areas where Washington could engage with the Union Territory....more

Ambassador Gor calls for stronger India-US economic partnership

By Deepak Arora

MUMBAI: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Tuesday called for India and the United States to work together as “true partners” to address friction points and unlock the full potential of their economic relationship. Addressing the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) National Convention in Mumbai, Ambassador Gor called for stronger India-US economic partnership. He stressed the need for predictable taxation and regulatory frameworks to provide businesses with greater certainty and encourage investment and innovation....more

IOC USA Expands Footprint, Launches Connecticut Chapter Under Kamal Swamy

By Deepak Arora

CONNECTICUT (USA): The Indian Overseas Congress USA has strengthened its political and community presence in the Northeast with the launch of its Connecticut Chapter, led by Kamal Swamy, as the organization moves to expand its grassroots network among Indian Americans. The new chapter was formally inaugurated in Connecticut in the presence of senior IOC USA leaders, community members and supporters. The launch marks another step in the organization's nationwide expansion under President Mohinder Singh Gilzian....more

US CENTCOM says it struck three Iran oil tankers after IRGC attacks on Navy ships

WASHINGTON, Sept 5: The United States Central Command on Saturday said it had stuck three Iranian oil tankers following IRGC missile attacks targeting two American Navy warships.

“US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. 5, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two US Navy warships patrolling regional waters,” the American military said in a statement.

The US CENTCOM said the targeted Navy warships had “successfully evaded” the multiple Iranian attacks, calling the strikes “unprovoked”. It said that no American personnel were harmed in the attack.

Following the strikes, US CENTCOM issued a warning to the IRGC. “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours,” US Admiral and CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said.

“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” Cooper added.

Sharing information on the strikes, the CENTCOM said it had “permanently disabled the IRGC crude oil carriers M/T Downy off the coast of Kharg Island and M/T Stark 1 near Jask.” They said that the US military had also “completely destroyed” an unladen oil carrier, M/T Kylo, in the Gulf of Oman. The M/T Kylo, also known as the Noxen, was struck in “multiple critical locations to render it inoperable” after the crew members onboard were directed to abandon the ship, the CENTCOM stated.

“The three Iranian crude oil tankers are part of a multibillion-dollar shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional proxies. Iran has no means by which to defend them,” the US military said.

Witkoff, Kushner To Visit Russia, Ukraine For Peace Talks: Report

MOSCOW, Sept 4: US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have spearheaded efforts to broker a Ukraine peace agreement, will visit Russia and Ukraine on Saturday and Sunday, Russian news agency TASS reported, citing a source.

There was no immediate confirmation.

Witkoff and Kushner last visited Moscow in January, when they held four hours of late-night talks with President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.

Discussions on US negotiators going to Ukraine were still ongoing, and the teams have spoken about September 6 as a possible date, a source familiar with the matter said.

If they come, it would be their first visit to Kyiv.

"The Russians don't want them to visit Kyiv and are trying to make them change the plan," the source added.

A vast gulf remains between Russia and Ukraine on how to end the 4-1/2-year war, the deadliest in Europe since World War Two.

Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine give up more territory, while Ukraine rejects terms that it considers tantamount to surrender.

The last US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in February, shortly before the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran.

Trump lauds Syria 'pitching itself' as alternative to Strait of Hormuz amid Iran war

WASHINGTON, Sept 3: US President Donald Trump on Thursday responded to a recent media report suggesting Syria is pitching itself as an alternative transit corridor to the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran war, calling the proposal "GREAT!".

This comes at a volatile time as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor, faces escalating tensions amid an ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Both nations continue to assert power and seek control over the strategic waterway.

According to a report by The Washington Post, the trade push started in April as a trial run, with trucks moving between refineries in southern Iraq and the Syrian port of Baniyas.

This overland alternative emerged after the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28 earlier this year, triggering a conflict that is now in its sixth month. As the war broke out, Tehran tightened control over maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Under its new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria is now leveraging its Mediterranean access at Baniyas and its access to Europe.

The report noted that Syria is pitching itself as an overland corridor offering relatively stable conditions for energy and goods transport, and an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign governments and major energy players have already expressed interest.

The Trump administration endorsed a new Chevron-led pipeline project designed to transport 2 million barrels of crude oil per day along the stretch between Basra and Baniyas.

The infrastructure will take at least two and a half years to complete.
The $5.7 billion and 1,000-mile pipeline cannot fully match the tanker vessels.
However, it presents an avenue to diversify energy transit away from the strait.

Trump rejects Iran talks, says US has ‘total control’ of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, Sept 2: US President Donald Trump rejected reports that his administration was pushing to bring Iran to the negotiating table, stating that he has little interest in pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Tehran. He reiterated “almost total control” over the Strait of Hormuz and pointed to economic collapse in Iran. In a post on his Truth Social handle, the President rubbished media reports claiming that the White House is trying to force Iran to the bargaining table.

“I’m not trying to force Iran to the bargaining table, as ABC Fake News reported. I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement. I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight? President DJT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

US Army Says It Completed 'Wave Of Strikes' Against Iranian Military

WASHINGTON, Sept 2: The United States Central Command Forces said that it completed the wave of strikes against Iranian military targets, which included air defence sites, mine-laying capabilities, and communications sites, among others.

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that the American strikes also targeted a wedding celebration in Sirik, which resulted in more than 50 people being injured or killed.

Sharing the details in a post on X, CENTCOM said, "US forces struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets including air defence sites, radar systems, maritime assets and facilities, mine laying capabilities, and communications sites."

It said that the strikes follow recent "attempted attacks" by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members.

The CENTCOM post further mentioned that more than 50,000 US service members are currently operating across West Asia, and they "remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to continue executing operations directed by the Commander in Chief."

It also shared a video clip which comprised of visuals of several sites struck by American forces.

US President suggests renaming Strait of Hormuz as ‘Trump Strait’

WASHINGTON, Sept 2: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested the idea of renaming the Strait of Hormuz as the “Trump Strait”, even as the vital waterway remains at the centre of tensions amid the war with Iran.

Trump made the suggestion on his Truth Social network, saying, “Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT??? Like America itself, it would be 'hotter' than ever before!”

The proposal is the latest geographical name change suggested by Trump. It comes a week after he ordered Lake Ontario to be renamed “Lake America” amid a trade war with Canada.

Top diplomats from Egypt and Qatar have called on the US and Iran to return to negotiations in line with their collapsed ceasefire agreement.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke by phone with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on Wednesday.

The two ministers said the continued escalation could have “dire consequences on the region’s security and stability”, according to Egypt’s foreign ministry.

US warns citizens in Middle East of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions

WASHINGTON, Sept 2: The United States issued urgent security alerts for American citizens across West Asia over potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. The advisory cautioned that Iran and alignment groups backing it may target US interests, facilities, businesses, and citizens globally.

“Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation. Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. Americans traveling to and from the region should monitor information about airport and airline operations. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions,” the advisory stated.

US Begins Strikes In Iran After Attacks On American Bases In Middle East

WASHINGTON, Sept 1: US military said that it has begun strikes on Iran after attempted attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against US service members in the Middle East.

In a post on X, the US Central Command said that at 9:30pm IST, US forces started striking IRGC targets in Iran.

"Today at 12 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began striking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran. The strikes follow recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against American service members deployed to the region", the post read.

Meanwhile, Iran's state media has said that four projectiles have hit cities east of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Four projectiles had hit areas within the counties of Chabahar and Konarak," said the official IRNA news agency, citing provincial official Ali Khalilabadi. It did not specify if there was any damage.

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed even after six months of war and the US continues its counter naval blockade of Iranian ports.

On Sunday, the US carried out its first strike on Iran in several weeks, hitting an Iranian island. The US said that its army attacked Iranian rocket launchers on the island of Larak to prevent the Islamic Republic from further planting mines in the shipping lane.

Iran responded to the attacks by launching missiles at US bases in Jordan, which were successfully intercepted. The United Arab Emirates also said that it stopped an Iranian drone over its waters.