Saturday, April 18, 2026
type here...
Home Blog Page 125

US puts Balochistan armed group on ‘foreign terrorist’ list

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The designation, announced by the Department of State on Monday, comes after the BLA, which is also known as the Majeed Brigade, was designated a “specially designated global terrorist” (SDGT) organisation in 2019.

The new designation is more severe and comes as US President Donald Trump has sought increased contacts with Pakistan’s government.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move “demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism”.

“Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” the statement said.

The BLA was designated as an SDGT following a series of attacks in 2019. More recently, in March this year, the secessionist group claimed responsibility for the siege of a train travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, in which dozens of passengers and soldiers were killed.

The new designation makes it a crime for anyone in the US to provide support to the group, while the previous designation only targeted financial resources.

Balochistan is the largest but least populous and poorest province in Pakistan. The region has experienced at least five secessionist uprisings since Pakistan’s formation in 1947.

The latest iteration began in the early 2000s, and has since broadened its focus from securing the province’s natural resources to full-fledged independence.

Supporters of the secessionist movement have alleged that Pakistan’s government has exploited the region’s resources, while neglecting its population of 15 million. The province remains key to trade, housing the deep-sea ports at Gwadar, a key component in plans to link southwestern China to the Arabian Sea through Pakistan.

Recent BLA attacks have further inflamed tensions between Pakistan and India, with Islamabad accusing New Delhi of fuelling the violence. India has denied the claims.

Last month, the administration of US President Donald Trump also labelled The Resistance Front (TRF), which Rubio described as an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a “foreign terrorist” group following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April that killed 26 people.

Trump later said he was behind a ceasefire that ended a brief military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May, a claim rejected by India. Relations between New Delhi and Washington have further soured over Trump’s tariff campaign against India.

Meanwhile, in June, Trump hosted Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir, considered one of the most powerful men in the country, for lunch at the White House.

The Trump administration has also sought new investments with Pakistan, with particular emphasis on the South Asian country’s natural resources and fledgling cryptocurrency industry.

Iran breaks US monopoly with advanced nano-radiopharmaceutical for cancer detection

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
NANO

The innovation, named Chimanocept, can identify tumors with over 95% accuracy in less than 15 minutes.

This breakthrough marks a significant leap in medical science and positions Iran as a new player in high-tech cancer diagnostics. Beyond its scientific value, Chimanocept symbolizes a major stride toward scientific independence and offers renewed hope for thousands of patients in Iran.

With its speed, precision, and accessibility, the drug has the potential to transform cancer detection in Iran and to inspire further advancements in the country’s medical technology sector.

Iran expands quantum research across nine leading universities

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran University

Iran’s quantum infrastructure includes a national laboratory with high-cost facilities, several mission-driven quantum centers, research labs at universities, and educational laboratories.

Three quantum centers have so far received the largest investments, while critical infrastructure at the national laboratory has been completed.

Nearly all active experimental quantum researchers in Iran have received financial support, with previously unfunded groups now included in this year’s program.

Six underfunded research labs have been equipped and financed in 2025, with additional facilities set to receive backing later this year.

The expansion focuses on Sharif University of Technology, University of Tehran, Isfahan University of Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran University of Science and Technology, Kharazmi University, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman and Shiraz University.

President Pezeshkian warns against covert ambitions by external actors under guise of Zangezur project   

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Masoud Pezeshkian

Pezeshkian was speaking during a telephone conversation, initiated by Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, about the project that involves the US and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Iranian president warned against potential covert ambitions by external actors disguised as economic investments and peace efforts.

“Efforts must guarantee this corridor is genuinely a path toward peace and progress, not a tool for foreign hegemony,” said Pezeshkian.

The Armenian prime minister for his part provided a detailed report on the recent peace memorandum signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan and elaborated on the corridor’s scope.

He appreciated Iran’s principled policy of preserving Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling Tehran’s stance “valuable and essential”.

Pashinyan underscored that Armenia will not endorse any agreement without full assurance that Iranian interests and sensitivities are respected.

Pashinyan further underlined the strategic nature of Armenia’s relationship with Iran.

“All significant decisions and actions will be made in close consultation and coordination with Tehran”, he said.

Pashinyan further put emphasis on transparency and sincerity as foundational principles governing bilateral ties.

Pezeshkian described Iran-Armenia relations as strategic and constructive, rooted in neighborly goodwill and mutual respect.

He reiterated that any attempts to damage this historic relationship would be categorically rejected by both nations.

The president went on to speak about Iran’s role as a bastion of peace and stability in the region and welcomed all agreements strengthening regional harmony, especially among Iran, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Pezeshkian noted that sustaining and enhancing these relations requires vigilance, cooperation, solidarity, and avoiding foreign interference.

Armenian PM briefs Iranian president on Washington talks with Azerbaijan

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

That’s according to Armenia’s state news agency Armenpress. During a phone conversation, Pashinyan outlined the results of the talks and spoke about the opportunities that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan could bring to the region.

He underscored that regional routes will operate within the framework of the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction of states, and on the basis of reciprocity.

The Armenian side further appreciated Pezeshkian’s impartial assessment of the Washington agreement and underlined the importance of the Iranian president’s upcoming visit to Armenia.

On Sunday, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also noted that the Zangezur route project, which is intended to connect Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, will operate under Armenia’s jurisdiction and without third-party control.

Iranian, Iraqi security chiefs discuss regional, bilateral cooperation

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

During the meeting, Larijani praised the Iraqi people for their hospitality toward pilgrims of Imam Hussein, describing them as “brave and generous”.

Larijani also hailed Iraq’s balanced foreign policy and the stability it brings to the country and the wider region.

Al-Araji for his part said the Iraqi government is committed to preventing any security violations aimed at targeting neighboring countries.

The two sides also reviewed the implementation of the bilateral security agreement and discussed the regional security situation.

They also spoke about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning Israel’s starvation and killing of Gazans as a crime.

Larijani and al-Araji underlined the need for international action to stop the Zionist regime’s atrocities.

This is Larijani’s first foreign visit since he was appointed as Iran’s security chief.

US VP says Ukraine peace accord not gonna make ‘anybody super happy’

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Russia Ukraine War

Vance’s comments come ahead of a bilateral meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin set to take place on Aug. 15 in Alaska. The leaders will discuss a deal to end the war that would reportedly involve Ukraine ceding new territories to Russia.

The meeting represents “a major breakthrough for American diplomacy,” Vance told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo.

Vance indicated that a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Putin, and President Volodymyr Zelensky was on the table, saying Trump had worked “aggressively” to convince the two leaders to come together.

“We’re now trying to figure out, frankly, scheduling and things like that around when these three leaders can sit down and discuss an end to this conflict,” he added.

Vance did not say whether this trilateral summit would occur at the Aug. 15 meeting in Alaska, and stated he did not think it would be “that productive” for Putin and Zelensky to meet with one another before meeting with Trump.

A White House official has told CNN that Zelensky’s participation in the upcoming Alaska meeting remains a possibility.

The aim of the leader-level meetings is to find a workable peace agreement, Vance said, though he did not provide details as to what such an agreement might entail. The plan will likely not be popular with either Russia or Ukraine, he said.

“We’re gonna try to find some kind of negotiated settlement that the Ukrainians and Russians can live with, where they can live in relative peace, where the killing stops,” Vance added.

“It’s not gonna make anybody super happy. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians probably at the end of the day are gonna be unhappy with it. But I don’t think you can actually sit down and have this negotiation absent the leadership of Donald J. Trump.”

Zelensky has firmly rejected the idea of ceding any Ukrainian territory to end Russia’s war, stating that “Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier.” He warned that peace deal favoring Moscow would give Russia a chance to regroup and launch a new invasion.

Iran to accept temporary nuclear restrictions if US lifts sanctions, says official

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Majid Takht Ravanchi

Speaking to a Japanese media outlet, Takht-Ravanchi emphasized that Iran seeks a “win-win and fair agreement” that includes time-bound restrictions on peaceful nuclear activities.

The talks between Iran and the US have stalled amid significant disagreements, particularly over uranium enrichment levels.

Takht-Ravanchi rejected calls to halt enrichment entirely, calling such demands “unacceptable.”

He added that Iran remains flexible on enrichment capacities and limits but insists on maintaining its nuclear activities independently, not relying on “empty promises.”

He warned that if the US insists on zero enrichment, no deal will be reached.

Takht-Ravanchi criticized the US for “deceptive negotiations” and reaffirmed Iran’s readiness for dialogue, contingent on the US guaranteeing no further attacks on Iranian soil.

He condemned recent Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and dismissed demands to curb Iran’s missile program.

Despite rising tensions, diplomatic channels seemingly remain open through intermediaries, with Iran signaling willingness to continue talks with the US and Europe.

Iran reports over one million undocumented foreign nationals expelled this year

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Afghan Refugee in Iran

According to the Ministry of Interior, Iran hosts approximately 6.1 million foreign nationals, of whom more than four million lack legal residency permits.

While many of those expelled returned voluntarily, with over 70 percent self-reporting, the government has stressed it can no longer accommodate large numbers of undocumented migrants.

Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said the departure of many foreigners has led to a six percent drop in bread purchase transactions nationwide.

He called for the creation of a National Migration Organization to manage migration flows and ensure coordinated enforcement.

Authorities say measures include identifying undocumented migrants, preventing entry with forged documents, and detaining those suspected of links to hostile groups.

Officials emphasized that migrants should be treated with dignity during repatriation.

Cooperation with Afghanistan’s government and international organizations is seen as essential for long-term solutions to the economic, security, and social challenges posed by the remaining undocumented population.

Iran says talks with three European countries not halted, no agreement yet on time or place

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Esmael baghaei

Speaking at a press briefing, Baqaei responded to questions about the status of the talks, saying, “It cannot be said that negotiations have stopped. We are still discussing the timing and location.”

Baqaei also commented on the visit of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Deputy Director General, stating that discussions are scheduled for Monday, including meetings with Iran’s Foreign Ministry officials.

However, he cautioned that it is too early to predict any outcomes, describing the situation as complex.

He criticized the IAEA for failing to condemn US-Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June, expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of clear procedures for addressing such incidents.

Baqaei added that talks will take place with consideration of the aggression by Israel and the US, as well as Iranian parliamentary resolutions.

1...124125126...4,078Page 125 of 4,078

© All Content by IFP News ( Iran Front Page ) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Us

Popular Articles

Editor Picks