US, Iran to halt strikes ‘for now,’ to meet in Doha over Hormuz Strait: Report

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Washington, June 29 (IANS) The United States and Iran have agreed to pause mutual attacks “for now” and hold talks on Tuesday in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to work out their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, US media outlet Axios reported.

The two sides will stand down “for now” and “vessels can move freely” as technical talks are set to continue, a US official was quoted as saying.

The Tuesday talks were originally set to be held in Switzerland and focused on Iran’s nuclear program. However, renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz prompted the talks to be moved to Doha, shifting the focus to shipping security in the strategic waterway, Xinhua news agency reported.

During negotiations in Switzerland a week ago, the US delegation agreed with Iran to establish a “hotline” between the US military and Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps to coordinate traffic in the strait.

However, as of Saturday, the “hotline” still wasn’t operational, according to the report.

The United States conducted strikes on Iranian targets on Friday and Saturday, citing “continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping” in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by striking US military positions in the region.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had launched fresh air strikes on Iranian military targets after accusing Tehran of again violating the ceasefire agreement by attacking a commercial oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the Islamic Republic “will no longer exist” if the attacks continue.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were carried out at the President’s direction after Iran allegedly launched a one-way attack drone that hit the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku at 4:30 a.m. ET.

The tanker was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said US aircraft had struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations as well as coastal radar sites.

“United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn!”

“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!” the President wrote.

CENTCOM said Iran had been given an opportunity to comply with the ceasefire after Friday’s US strikes in response to the attack on M/V Ever Lovely.

–IANS

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Nine women among 22 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma

Raipur, April 18 (IANS) Security forces in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh have achieved a significant breakthrough with 22 Maoists, including nine women, surrendering on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to combat Maoism, officials said.

This operation, conducted deep within Sukma’s forests, involved the Maad division and other hardcore Maoist factions.

The surrendered individuals, collectively carrying rewards amounting to Rs 40 lakh, will now benefit from the government’s rehabilitation policy, said the officials.

Inspired by the “Lon Varratu (Come Back Home)” campaign in various districts of Chhattisgarh, many Maoists have returned home.

While speaking on the occasion of the 86th Raising Day of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Naxalism has now been contained to only four districts and will be wiped out from India by March next year.

The success of this operation was made possible by the collaborative efforts of various security forces, including the Sukma police, Deputy Inspector Generals of Sukma and Jagdalpur, and battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Their dedication played a crucial role in persuading the Maoists to lay down their arms.

On April 12, eight Maoists carrying a collective bounty of Rs one lakh surrendered at the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Dantewada Range.

The RFT (Intelligence Branch) Dantewada, along with the 111th and 230th CRPF Battalions, played a pivotal role in facilitating these surrenders.

Under the rehabilitation policy, these individual Maoists will receive Rs 50,000 in financial aid, skill development training, and agricultural land.

These former Maoists were previously involved in activities like road digging and displaying Maoist propaganda. Disillusioned by the harsh realities of Maoism, internal conflicts, and the challenges of forest life, they have chosen to abandon violence and reintegrate into society.

The Lon Varratu campaign, combined with the government’s rehabilitation policy, has been widely publicised in villages, encouraging surrenders from both high-ranking and lower-level Maoists.

–IANS

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MP CM Mohan Yadav takes holy dip at Triveni Sangam

Bhopal, Feb 8 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav took a holy dip at Sangam on Saturday during Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

On this occasion, CM Mohan Yadav was accompanied by his family members and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.

Chief Minister Yadav later said that Maha Kumbh is the king of all the pilgrimages, and he was fortunate to take a holy dip.

He stated that Prayagraj is a revered centre of faith and devotion for millions of Hindu people, and this is the reason crores of people come here for a holy dip.

After a ritualistic bath at Sangam, Chief Minister Yadav said, “It was a pleasure to take a bath here at Triveni Gangam. I have urged Maa Ganga to fulfil all the wishes of people of the state, especially, youths who are struggling for employment.”

He took to social media platform X to share his feelings about the spiritual visit with family, and wrote, “Today, I took a dip with my wife at Sangam and worshipped for the good fortune of the people of Madhya Pradesh. It filled me with feelings of divinity, and I wish this Sangam remains uninterrupted for eternity.”

Later, Chief Minister Yadav also participated in a religious programme – ‘Ekatma Dham’ in Prayagraj.

He also visited the camp of Juna Peethadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar to seek his blessings.

Sangam is the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj. All these three holy rivers come from different directions and meet at a particular point in Prayagraj, which is called Sangam.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, hosted in the historically spiritual city of Prayagraj, continues its tradition of attracting vast numbers of pilgrims both domestically and internationally.

The Maha Kumbh 2025, which began on January 13, is set to continue until February 26.

–IANS

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BJP, Congress welcome return of BSF jawan Purnam Shaw from Pak after three weeks in captivity

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) BJP and Congress leaders have welcomed the return of Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Purnam Kumar Shaw, who was released by Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday after being held in captivity for nearly three weeks.

Shaw, who had inadvertently crossed the international border into Pakistan from Punjab’s Ferozepur district, was handed back to Indian authorities at the Attari-Wagah border at 10:30 a.m. The incident occurred on April 23, a day after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

Reacting to the development, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This shows the valour of the Indian Armed Forces and the powerful leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Just like Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, Purnam Shaw too is a symbol of our pride and resilience,” Chugh told IANS.

BJP’s West Bengal president and Union Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar, also expressed joy over Shaw’s return.

“After 22 days, our BSF jawan Purnam Shaw has come back. From day one, we as a party stood by him and his family. I had personally spoken to his wife and assured her that we would bring him back. This is the new India under PM Modi — we don’t abandon our soldiers. I thank the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for their efforts,” he said.

Congress leader Hussain Dalwai also welcomed Shaw’s return, calling it a “humanitarian act.”

Earlier in the day, the BSF confirmed the return in an official statement: “Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw has been taken back from Pakistan by BSF at Attari-Wagah border today at 1030 hrs. Shaw had inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan territory, while on operational duty in the area of Ferozepur sector on 23rd April 2025 around 1150 hrs and was detained by Pak Rangers.”

The handover was conducted in accordance with established border protocols. Officials added that standard procedures will be followed, including medical examinations to determine if Shaw was subjected to any torture or inhumane treatment during his detention.

Shaw’s wife, Rajni, had earlier visited Ferozepur and met with senior BSF officials to appeal for help in securing his release. She was assured that all efforts were being made at the highest levels to bring her husband back.

The development comes days after India and Pakistan agreed to an “understanding” to cease military operations on May 10, apparently after the latter escalated the situation on the border, in response to India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ which pummeled and pounced on many terror bases and their key infrastructure in Pakistan as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.

–IANS

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