- Iran said it never refused Pakistan mediation talks, even as a US-Israeli strike hit a cement plant.
- Raghav Chadha hit back after AAP removed him as Rajya Sabha deputy leader, calling the move a “scripted campaign”.
- India denied reports of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted to China over payment issues.
- PM Modi accused Congress of making remarks on the Iran conflict that could endanger Indians living in Gulf countries.
- Trump is weighing a wider Cabinet reshuffle after Pam Bondi’s ouster as Iran war fallout, rising fuel prices and poor poll numbers add pressure.
Here are the top stories of the day:
Iran says it never refused Pakistan talks as strikes hit cement plant, Iraq gas cut
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran never refused to visit Pakistan for mediation talks, insisting the key issue is securing terms for a “conclusive and lasting” end to what he called an “illegal war”. The remarks came as a US-Israeli strike reportedly hit a cement plant in southern Iran without casualties or disruption, while Iraq said gas supplies from Iran to its southern region had stopped completely, adding to regional strain. Follow live updates
Raghav Chadha invokes ‘Dhurandhar’ line as he rebuts AAP’s allegations after Rajya Sabha demotion
Raghav Chadha hit back at AAP after being removed as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, invoking a popular line from Dhurandhar to signal defiance. Ending his video statement with “Ghayal hoon isliye ghatak hoon”, Chadha called the charges against him a “scripted campaign” and a “coordinated attack”. Read full story
India denies Iranian crude cargo diversion over payment issues, says supplies fully secure
The petroleum ministry rejected reports that an Iranian crude shipment meant for India was diverted to China due to payment problems, calling the claims “factually incorrect”. In a post on X, the ministry said Indian refiners had already secured crude requirements for the coming months, including from Iran, and stressed there was “no payment hurdle” for such imports. Read full story
PM Modi says Congress remarks on Iran crisis could endanger Indians in Gulf
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress of making irresponsible remarks on the US-Iran conflict that could put Indians living in Gulf countries at risk. Addressing a rally in Kerala’s Thiruvalla, PM Modi said the opposition was trying to provoke the Middle Eastern nations and spread panic for political gain. Read full story
Donald Trump weighs wider Cabinet shake-up as Iran war fallout deepens: Report
US President Donald Trump is considering a broader Cabinet reshuffle after attorney general Pam Bondi’s ouster, as political pressure from the Iran war mounts, Reuters reported. Rising fuel prices, slipping approval ratings and Republican nervousness ahead of the midterms have reportedly triggered internal White House discussions on replacing more senior officials. Read full story