Washington, March 26 (IANS) The United States and Iran are engaged in “productive” talks even as US military operations continue, the White House said, signalling a possible diplomatic opening amid an ongoing conflict that Washington claims is nearing its objectives.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at her news conference on Wednesday (local time) that discussions between Washington and Tehran have taken place over the past three days, following intensified US milit…
Latest Operation Epic Fury News & Updates
Washington, March 26 (IANS) The White House has said that US military operations against Iran are “ahead of schedule” and nearing core objectives, even as Washington continues “productive” talks with Tehran aimed at ending the conflict.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday (local time) that the United States was close to achieving the main goals of “Operation Epic Fury,” describing the campaign as a “resounding military triumph” after nearly fou…
Washington, March 24 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held calls with counterparts in India, Canada, and Kenya focusing on Iran, the Middle East crisis, and broader security coordination, his spokesperson said.Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, and Kenyan President William Ruto, as Washington intensified diplomatic outreach on Iran and regional stability.In their call, the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in…
Washington, March 21 (IANS) The United States has announced a 30-day sanctions waiver permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea, in a move aimed at easing mounting pressure on global energy supplies triggered by the ongoing conflict with Iran.Taking to X, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the decision is intended to quickly stabilise global markets by unlocking already available oil supplies.“By temporarily unlocking this existing supply for the world, the United Stat…
Washington, March 19 (IANS) Iran’s military and strategic capabilities have been significantly degraded by recent US-led operations, but the regime remains intact and continues to pose a serious threat to American interests and regional stability, US intelligence officials told lawmakers.Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the Iranian regime has been weakened but not eliminated.“The IC (intelligence community) assesses the regime in Iran appears to be intact but largely degr…
Washington, March 18 (IANS) Iran is seeking intelligence support from US adversaries, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told lawmakers on Wednesday, flagging a new dimension to the conflict as Tehran looks outward for strategic backing. “The Iranians are requesting intelligence assistance from Russia, from China, and from other adversaries of the United States, and whether or not those countries are [providing assistance] is something we can talk about in the classified portion,” Ratcliffe said…
Washington, March 18 (IANS) US forces have carried out fresh strikes on Iranian missile positions along the Strait of Hormuz, targeting what military officials described as a direct threat to international shipping, as Operation Epic Fury intensifies.US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes involved “multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions” against “hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.” It added that “the Iranian anti-ship cruis…
Washington, March 17 (IANS) The White House on Tuesday forcefully rejected claims by outgoing National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Joe Kent that Iran posed no imminent threat, even as his resignation marked the first high-level exit from the Trump administration in protest against the war. “There are many false claims in this letter, but let me address one specifically: that ‘Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation,’” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.“This is…
Washington, March 14 (IANS) Democratic lawmakers in the US Congress are pressing the Pentagon for answers after reports that a US strike during Operation Epic Fury hit a girls’ elementary school in Iran, killing at least 175 civilians — many of them children — prompting calls for a full investigation, accountability, and stronger safeguards to prevent civilian casualties.Members of the House and Senate said the incident, which reportedly occurred on February 28 near the town of Minab, coul…
Washington, March 14 (IANS) The White House accused CNN of publishing false claims about US planning for a possible Iranian move to close the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back strongly against a report questioning whether American officials had prepared for the scenario during the ongoing military campaign against Tehran.In a statement issued by the White House, officials said the report misrepresented US military planning linked to Operation Epic Fury, the campaign targeting Iran’s military capa…