Author: Vividh Bharathi

Several world leaders back Trump’s Iran strikes: White House

Washington, March 2 (IANS) Several world leaders voiced strong support after President Donald Trump had authorised “Operation Epic Fury,” describing it as a campaign to eliminate what it called an “imminent nuclear threat” posed by the Iranian regime and to dismantle its missile, naval and proxy capabilities, the White House said.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Iran had destabilised the region for decades and endorsed Washington’s objective of blocking a nuclear weapon, as per the details of statements released by the White House.

“For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation… We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security,” Albanese said.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney framed Iran as a principal source of instability in the Middle East and reiterated Ottawa’s support.

“Canada’s position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world’s worst human rights records, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons … Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security,” Carney said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump directly.

“I thank our great friend, President @realDonaldTrump, for his historic leadership,” Netanyahu said.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called for firm action against Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and backed decisive efforts to prevent Tehran from gaining further military capability.

“It’s high time to cut the rope and go straight to the point. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organization and it must be treated as such… We fully endorse every decisive effort to prevent once and for all the murderers in Tehran from acquiring nuclear or any other military capacity to harm Israel or any other peace-loving nation in the Middle East. Terrorism must be named. And once named, it must be stopped,” Rama said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky linked American action to deterrence.

“It is important that the United States is acting decisively. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken,” Zelensky said.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani described the moment as pivotal for Iranians.

“The hour of freedom has come for the people of Iran, thanks to the leadership of the United States and President @realDonaldTrump,” Osmani said.

British Member of Parliament Nigel Farage urged London to align more clearly with Washington.

“The Prime Minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran!” Farage said.

The statements reflect a coordinated message among US allies and partners framing the strikes as a preventive move against nuclear escalation and regional instability.

–IANS

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Activist calls for US visa ban on Pakistanis following Karachi consulate clashes

Washington, March 2 (IANS) A conservative activist urged the US State Department to suspend all visas for Pakistanis, including green cards, in the wake of violent protests at the US consulate in Karachi, escalating rhetoric amid tensions following reported US strikes on Iran.

“The US State Department @StateDept should suspend all visas for Pakistanis, including green cards for as long as they can,” wrote Laura Loomer in a post on X, tagging Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Her comments came after reports of clashes outside the heavily fortified US consulate compound in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi. Loomer claimed that “Six protesters angered by the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader were killed and 20 others were injured after they stormed the heavily fortified US consulate compound in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi.”

She further alleged that “Many others were shot and killed this afternoon after attempting to break in again.”

Loomer wrote: “Disgusting Pakistani terrorists are being shot dead on site by US Marines at the US Consulate in Pakistan today after attempting to break inside and take over the Embassy as a form of retaliation for US strikes on Iran.”

There was no independent confirmation in the material provided of the casualty figures or the specific circumstances of the reported shootings. It was also unclear whether US Marines or local Pakistani security forces were responsible for the response.

Loomer sharply criticised Pakistan, writing: “Pakistan is a disgusting country that harbored Osama Bin Laden and encourages Muslims to be as radical as possible.” She added: “A complete shit hole Muslim country that wants to see Americans and Indians murdered in the name of Islam.”

The US State Department did not immediately respond in the material provided to the call for visa susperrosions.

Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, has witnessed protests in the past over U military actions in the region. American diplomatic facilities in Pakistan operate under tight security, particularly during periods of heightened geopolitical tension.

–IANS

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US raises Bahrain, Qatar advisories amid Iran conflict

Washington, March 2 (IANS) The United States raised its travel advisories for Bahrain and Qatar to Level 3 in the aftermath of the launch of US combat operations in Iran, citing security risks and potential disruptions across the Middle East.

The State Department said it updated its Travel Advisory for Bahrain on February 28 “to reflect that the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and family members of US government personnel to leave Bahrain due to security concerns.” The advisory increased “from Level 2 to Level 3.”

The updated advisory states: “Reconsider Travel to Bahrain due to terrorism and armed conflict.”

It added that “Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights.”

The department also warned that “Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Bahrain. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning.”

Separately, the State Department raised Qatar’s Travel Advisory to Level 3 on March 1, up from Level 1, again authorising the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members due to security concerns.

The updated notice states: “Reconsider Travel to Qatar due to the threat of armed conflict.”

It cited the same regional developments, noting that “Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights.”

The advisory further said, “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for the region, including Qatar. This is due to risks to civil aviation from political and military tensions in the region.”

A day earlier, the State Department had issued a “Worldwide Caution”.

“Following the launch of US combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate,” the alert said.

It added that travelers “may experience travel disruptions due to periodic airspace closures” and advised Americans worldwide “to exercise increased caution.”

Both advisories urge US citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), monitor local media, develop communication plans, and review country security reports.

Level 3 advisories — “Reconsider Travel” — are issued when there are serious risks to safety and security. They fall below Level 4, the highest advisory, which urges Americans not to travel.

–IANS

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Trump calls Iran strike historic blow

Washington, March 2 (IANS) US President Donald Trump called the sweeping American military assault on Iran “one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen,” declaring that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead and vowing that combat operations will continue “until all of our objectives are achieved.”

In an address to the nation posted on Truth Social, outlining what he said was a 36-hour campaign, Trump described “Operation Epic Fury” as unprecedented in scale.

“Nobody’s seen anything like it. We have hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems,” he said.

He added that “we knocked out nine ships plus their naval building, all in a matter of literally minutes.”

Trump declared that “Iran’s formerly supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, is dead,” calling him “this wretched and vile man” who “had the blood of hundreds and even thousands of Americans on his hands and was responsible for the slaughter of countless thousands of innocent people all across many countries.”

He claimed that “all over Iran, the voices of the Iranian people could be heard cheering and celebrating in the streets when his death was announced.”

According to Trump, “the entire military command is gone as well, and many of them want to surrender into saving their lives.”

“They want immunity. They’re calling by the thousands,” he said.

He confirmed American casualties. “Earlier today, CENTCOM shared the news that three US military service members have been killed in action,” he said.

“As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives,” Trump added.

He acknowledged the possibility of further losses. “And sadly, there will likely be more. Before it ends, that’s the way it is,” he said, adding, “we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case.”

Framing the campaign as necessary to prevent future threats, Trump said, “We cannot allow a nation that raises terrorist armies to possess such weapons that would allow them to extort the world to their evil will.”

“These actions are right, and they are necessary to ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical, bloodthirsty terrorist regime armed with nuclear weapons and lots of threats,” he said.

He urged Iranian forces to stand down. “I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military police and to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death,” Trump said. “It will be certain death. Won’t be pretty.”

In a direct appeal to Iranians, he added: “I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country. America is with you.”

–IANS

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US blitz hits 1,000 Iran military sites

Washington, March 2 (IANS) The US launched a sweeping military offensive against Iran early striking more than 1,000 military targets within 24 hours under “Operation Epic Fury,” in what officials described as a campaign to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus and neutralise sites posing an “imminent threat.”

Launched at the direction of President Donald Trump at 1.15 am on February 28, the US Central Command forces are striking targets to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that pose an imminent threat,” CENTCOM said.

In a fact sheet, CENTCOM lists “Targets Struck: Over 1,000” in the first 24 hours.

The scale of assets deployed signals a coordinated, multi-domain campaign. The fact sheet lists B-2 stealth bombers, F-35 stealth fighters, F-22, F-16, and F-18 fighter jets, and A-10 attack aircraft. Electronic warfare and surveillance platforms, including EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, airborne early warning and control aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, and communication relay systems, were also used.

Missile defence systems such as Patriot interceptor missile systems and THAAD anti-ballistic missile systems were part of the deployment. Naval assets included nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and guided-missile destroyers.

Unmanned and ground systems were also employed. The document cites MQ-9 Reapers, LUCAS drones, and M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems. Strategic lift and refuelling aircraft, including C-17 Globemaster and C-130 cargo aircraft, supported the operation.

The fact sheet notes the use of “Counter-Drone Systems” and adds: “… and special capabilities we can’t list here!”

The types of targets struck indicate a focus on Iran’s command structure and missile infrastructure. Listed targets include “Command and Control Centers,” “IRGC Joint Headquarters,” and “IRGC Aerospace Forces Headquarters.”

Integrated air defence systems and ballistic missile sites were hit. Naval targets included “Iranian Navy Ships,” “Iranian Navy Submarines,” and “Anti-ship Missile Sites.” The document also lists “Military Communication Capabilities” among the sites targeted.

No casualty figures or battle damage assessments were provided. The language frames the operation as threat-driven and pre-emptive, centred on locations posing “an imminent threat.”

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has long played a central role in Iran’s security and missile programmes, including ballistic missile development and regional military coordination.

–IANS

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T20 WC: ‘You never want to end at this stage,’ says Hope after West Indies fall short against India

Kolkata, Mar 2 (IANS) West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted his side fell short at key moments after their semifinal hopes were dashed by India in a virtual quarterfinal clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens on Sunday, knocking them out of the race to the semi-final.

West Indies posted a competitive 195/4 after being asked to bat, but India chased down the target with five wickets in hand, powered by a match-winning, unbeaten 97 from Sanju Samson.

Reflecting on the total, Hope conceded that his side left runs behind at crucial phases of the innings.

“Maybe a few short, especially on a chasing ground such as this. Probably could have gone a bit more at the end. Probably could have got more at the start as well,” the Windies skipper said after the game.

West Indies had moments of promise, particularly through aggressive contributions in the middle and death overs, but Hope pointed out the impact of India’s key bowlers in decisive passages of play, saying, “He is one of their main strike bowlers. Whenever he has got the ball in his hands something is going to happy.”

India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, struck at critical intervals to prevent the West Indies from fully capitalising on a good batting surface, despite strong contributions from their middle order. Hope also praised his players’ efforts, highlighting their adaptability and individual contributions with both bat and ball.

“Hety was going really well. I thought we were good. The way we adapted to different conditions was good. Forde was good with the ball. Akeal got us wickets as well. Just didn’t get over the line today to continue the tournament,” he stated.

Despite the disappointment, the West Indies skipper emphasised how close his team had come to progressing further in the competition and stressed the importance of seizing key moments in high-pressure games.

The defeat marked the end of the West Indies’ campaign, while India advanced to the semifinals, keeping their title defence alive. For Hope and his side, the loss served as a reminder of the fine margins that define knockout cricket, where one decisive performance can separate contenders from champions.

“You never want to end at this stage. One more game you are in the semis and if you have a good game you are in the final. We got to make sure you play the best cricket on the day. Take the crucial moments and capitalise,” Hope concluded.

–IANS

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T20 WC: Brian Bennett leaves World Cup stage with reputation vastly enhanced

New Delhi, Mar 2 (IANS) Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza and head coach Justin Sammons heaped praise on opener Brian Bennett after the 22-year-old had a breakthrough Men’s T20 World Cup campaign, with both suggesting the best is still very much to come from a player who has quietly emerged as one of the most exciting young batters in world cricket.

Bennett finished the tournament as Zimbabwe’s standout performer with the bat, with his 292 runs record run-tally for a batter from his country at T20 World Cups. Dismissed for 15 on Sunday against South Africa – caught at mid-off off Anrich Nortje – it was one of the few times this tournament that the young opener had been stopped before doing some serious damage, with his unbeaten 97 against India being the standout knock.

Raza, typically generous in deflecting credit away from himself, heaped rich praise on Bennett, who averaged 146 in the competition with three fifties. “First of all, credit to Brian Bennett, his family, his mum and dad, the way they have raised him as a fine human being, and his early coaches that have worked with him.

“They take a lot of credit and I have done nothing in his development or growth. The only thing I’ve done is try and manage him and give him the platform, but all the credit goes to Brian Bennett and his family,” the Zimbabwe captain said, while replying to a query from IANS in the post-match press conference.

The speed of Bennett’s development, Raza added, had even exceeded his own expectations. “When we had Brian Bennett some time back, we could tell that this boy is going to be special, but I can put my hand on heart and tell you I never thought his improvement would be as swift and as quickly.

“So all the credit goes to Brian Bennett for how he has rocked up into this tournament and how consistent he has been. He’s every captain’s dream because he’s an opener. I mean, if you have a good opener who’s consistent, it takes half of your problems away.”

Bennett’s performances in the T20 World Cup have not gone unnoticed beyond the cricket world, and when asked whether the youngster might be tempted by Bollywood attention, Raza had a serious reply to the tongue-in-cheek question.

“If I be honest with you, I hope they don’t. I hope Brian Bennett keeps focusing on cricket and stay away from Bollywood for now at least. He’s too young to be there.”

Looking further ahead, Raza cast Bennett not just as a match-winner but as a future leader within the Zimbabwe dressing room. “The more he plays, the senior he becomes. Right now he’s performing, but there will be a time when he’ll take a lot more players with him and help them, because clearly he’s doing something that’s working.

“So hopefully, he’ll take his batting partners with him as well once he becomes a senior because as a senior cricketer, you don’t just have to focus on your performance. You also have to get the performance out of the juniors or your batting partners as well.

“So the more Brian Bennett plays, you will see that the players that bat around Brian Bennett will also start to improve. So I think for his long-term role, Brian has a huge role to play for Zimbabwe and his growth and his development,” he said.

Sammons, who has watched Bennett up close through a remarkable last 12 months, said the batter’s temperament sets him apart as much as his talent. “With Benny, he’s had an exceptional last 12 months. 2025 was a brilliant year for him, and he was really consistent with the bat, particularly in T20s, but he had exceptional performances in other formats as well.

“So I’m not surprised that he’s had a good tournament. I was hoping he would, but I’m not surprised because of the way he goes about his business. He’s very professional, got clear routines that he follows in terms of his preparation, and he’s just level-headed, very calm, mature for his age, and nothing seems to faze him.

“But what I will say is he keeps it simple. When he’s out there, he really does keep it simple and I think that’s his secret weapon, if you want to call it that,” he said, while replying to a query from IANS in the mixed zone interaction.

The head coach, too, was keen to frame Bennett’s performances as not a ceiling but as a foundation for a brighter future, pointing to the significant room for growth that still exists for him, who’s yet to experience franchise cricket and deal with ups and downs of a life in playing cricket.

“He’s only 22 years old. So if you look at the best players in the world, they’ve all got a lot of experience behind them. Plus, they play a lot of franchise cricket. Bryan hasn’t played franchise cricket. He’s just played for Zimbabwe and so are we hoping to see him in IPL someday.

“So, the more he plays, the better he’s going to get. He’s going to go through some tough times as well, like any cricketer. He’s going to have those periods where he doesn’t go his way. I suppose it’s going to be around how he deals with those periods as much as the success.”

Zimbabwe’s time in the T20 World Cup is over. But if one goes by the words of Raza and Sammons, then Bennett’s story is only just beginning to bloom at the international level.

–IANS

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T20 WC: Zimbabwe sign off with warm gesture for their faithful Castle Corner

New Delhi, Mar 2 (IANS) Zimbabwe’s Castle Corner supporters, known for their singing and dancing at Harare Sports Club, drew attention throughout the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup and made their presence felt hugely during the Super Eights clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

Amidst the 24,500 fans – the number shot up from 17,500 at the start – the Castle Corner fans seated in the far east corner of the Gautam Gambhir stand drew everyone’s attention with their singing, dancing and cheering for the Zimbabwe team. The six-member club cheered when Zimbabwe had victories over Australia and Sri Lanka and topped Group B to enter the Super Eights.

Though Zimbabwe lost all three matches in the Super Eights, the generous Castle company stepped in to fund the travel of those six fans and eventually five of them attended the games in Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi.

Captain Sikandar Raza was unable to join his teammates in acknowledging the fans immediately after the final game, as he was held back for Player of the Match interview. By the time he finished, the rest of the squad had already departed the field after engaging and thanking the Castle Corner.

Raza then made his way alone to that of the ground where the supporters were gathered, and began waving, singing and saluting them in appreciation, in a gesture that reflected the bond between the Zimbabwe team and its fans.

Raza, who produced an exceptional all-round performance – 73 with bat and 3-29 with the ball – in what may have been one of his final innings in the format, was effusive in his affection for the Castle Corner.

“Regarding the Castle Corner, firstly, we have a personal relation with them. We know each member of the Castle Corner with their names. We know their families, their kids, and everything. They are not just fans for us. They are pretty much part of our cricketing family. So our relation with Castle Corner runs a lot deeper than just our relation with fans,” he said, while replying to a query from IANS in the post-match press conference.

He also took a moment to address the wider Delhi crowd, who cheered for Zimbabwe. “Lastly, on the crowd in Delhi, I just want to say thank you very much. The chanting of Zimbabwe, the support you guys have showed us, and the respect and love you guys have shown us. I’m going home with a lot of very fond memories, and I’ll forever be grateful to this Delhi crowd,” Raza added.

Head coach Justin Sammons echoed his captain’s sentiments on the Castle Corner. “They’re a great bunch of supporters, and they’re passionate. We’re very, very fortunate that they were able to come over and support us, and we appreciate it. It does go a long way, and it means a lot to the players as well,” he said in the mixed zone.

Raza described a collective decision to take responsibility for the state of Zimbabwe cricket and rebuild it from within, after missing the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup. “I’ll give you a very simple answer. What changed was that we just changed our culture. Either we can blame the management, the resources, or we can blame ourselves.

“As a team we agreed that it is our fault that Zimbabwe was in that mess. So once we sort of agreed on that, that it is our fault, then we took it upon ourselves, this 16-18 group of guys that we had, that it is going to be us who is going to take Zimbabwe out of this mess. Once we do that, along the way we’re going to try and earn a lot of respect from the world. So once we agreed on that, there was no turning back,” he said.

“It’s definitely in a better space. If we look back 18 months ago, we were playing in Kenya in the sub-regional qualifiers against Gambia, Seychelles and Mozambique. So that’s only 18 months ago and that’s the reality of where we were. To come here and top the group is a massive achievement for this group of players.”

“So we’re certainly in a better place. The core group is quite young as well. We’ve got the senior players, but generally I think the majority of these players can actually be together for the next couple of years and come 2028 in terms of T20 stuff, they’ll have another couple of years behind them and have had this experience to grow from. So I certainly think it’s a group that we can really work with building and moving forward.”

Sammons also agreed that Raza saved his best for Zimbabwe’s last game. “I think it would mean a lot to him. He’s got high standards, he’s a proud man and he wants to do Zimbabwe proud. I think he did that today and did it throughout the tournament. With the bat, he was good. He’s had a good tournament with the bat. Probably not at his best with the ball up until today. Like you say, he saved his best for last, so he had an exceptional game.”

Raza is 39 and is in the twilight of his career, but he promised to assess his international availability on a game to game basis. “I’ll see how it goes. One day and game at a time. I’ll see how my body goes and hope to give more for my country. It has been a real eye-opener. We now know the combinations that we need, we know what needs to be done to be a mid-table team, we now know where the areas we need to get better at.

“We now know how the game has moved, how the game progressed, with smaller grounds, bigger grounds, with slower grounds and things like that. We have now learned how tough it is at times to travel and play, which we now know how to manage.

“Even though we lost the game, these lessons have been so valuable. Hopefully if we find Zimbabwe in a similar position next time, we can at least do better than what we have done now.”

Sammons also had similar views to share, while noting that the execution of their plans went awry once their campaign moved to India. Sri Lanka is very different and conditions did suit us – slower wickets, bigger outfields, that type of thing. We’re here as at the end of the day, execution has to be on point. There’s no room for error and we weren’t good enough from an execution point of view here, particularly with the ball.

“I think with the bat, we showed glimpses of some good stuff. But also not consistent enough with that. But certainly I think the ultimate will come down to execution. It’s as simple as that really. The biggest takeaway should be that we can compete with the best. I think the group needs to take confidence from that. I would say that is the biggest takeaway, especially from the group stages.

“Obviously, it didn’t quite go away, and we weren’t at our best in India, but we know we didn’t hit our straps. If we did, we would have been a little bit more competitive. So we do know that, and we know that we can compete with the best and that’s the thing that the group really needs to take with them.”

Zimbabwe’s World Cup is over and they face a nervy wait over their return plans due to the shutdown of airspace in the middle east. But judging by the scenes in New Delhi on Sunday, the bond between this team and the Castle Corner will go from strength to strength and there’s no denying that.

–IANS

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‘Do we need this in the World Cup?’: Gavaskar, Shastri voice frustration over laser show in drinks break

Kolkata, Mar 2 (IANS) Indian cricket greats Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri voiced strong reservations about the laser show staged during India’s Super 8 clash against West Indies at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.

During the brief drinks break, the stadium lights were dimmed, and a laser show illuminated the ground. The spectacle, however, did not sit well with Gavaskar and Shastri, who questioned its timing given the magnitude of the contest and the potential impact on players’ concentration and eyesight.

“The laser show during the two-and-a-half or three minutes of the drinks break… it’s not easy on the batters, or anybody for that matter. To get your eyes used to the light, to get the bright lights again, you have darkness around you,” Gavaskar said on commentary.

“You have a laser thing going on. This is the World Cup. And for two and a half minutes, do you need this kind of entertainment? In the IPL, it’s fine in the middle of the IPL. Not in the knockouts, but in the middle of the IPL, that is fine. But at the moment here, in the World Cup, do we need these laser shows in the middle of the drinks break, at the drinks interval?” he added.

Shastri echoed those concerns, highlighting the challenge players face in regaining focus after such interruptions. “And from the players’ point of view, to switch back on, is never easy. It’s serious stuff,” he said.

With a semi-final berth at stake, both former captains stressed that maintaining optimal playing conditions should take precedence over mid-innings entertainment during a global tournament of such significance.

The game finally ended in India’s favour as the hosts clinched a five-wicket win riding on Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97-run knock. The Men in Blue will continue their title defense against England in the second semi-final on March 5.

–IANS

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Kharge condemns Khamenei’s killing, expresses condolences to people of Iran

New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the party unequivocally condemns the targeted assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a military strike carried out by the US and Israeli military forces without a formal declaration of war.

He also added that the Congress extends its deepest condolences to the Supreme Leader’s family, to the people of Iran, and the Shia community around the world in this moment of profound grief and stands in solidarity with them as they navigate this grave crisis.

Taking to his official X account on Sunday, Kharge in a post on X said: “The Indian National Congress (INC) unequivocally condemns the targeted assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, in a military strike carried out without a formal declaration of war. The INC extends its deepest condolences to the Supreme Leader’s family, to the people of Iran, and the Shia community around the world in this moment of profound grief. We stand in solidarity with them as they navigate this grave crisis.”

The Congress President also said that India’s foreign policy is anchored in a commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and respect for international law, as mandated in Article 51 of the Constitution of India.

“These principles-sovereign equality, non- intervention and the promotion of peace are foundational to India’s civilisational values. Given this, the conflict in West Asia is deeply antithetical to our commitment to Vasudhaiva Kutumbaka (“the world is one family”), Mahatma Gandhi’s doctrine of ahimsa (non-violence), Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s policy of non-alignment,” Kharge in an X post said.

“The targeted use of force to destabilise the leadership and governing structures of a sovereign state whether in Iran or earlier in Venezuela-signals a disturbing revival of regime-change doctrines and coercive unilateralism. It also contravenes the United Nations Charter-especially Article 2(4), which expressly prohibits “the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” and Article 2(7), which forbids intervention in matters essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state. A targeted killing of a sitting head of state strikes at the heart of these international rules. Sovereignty is not conditional, and political legitimacy cannot be manufactured through force.”

“The INC reiterates that it is the inalienable right of every nation’s citizens to determine their own political future. No external power has the authority to engineer regime change or dictate the leadership of another state. Such actions amount to imperialism and are fundamentally incompatible with a genuinely rules- based international order.”

–IANS

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