‘Humiliated’ enemy shifting to hybrid war after military defeat: Ayatollah Khamenei

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei says Iran’s adversaries have turned to “hybrid warfare” tactics after suffering a humiliated defeat in the face of the country’s Armed Forces, urging national unity and vigilance to neutralize enemies’ plots.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a message on Thursday on the occasion of the 37th passing anniversary of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomein.

Millions of Iranians from various social strata and as many devotees in other countries took part in the ceremonies held at Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum in southern Tehran as the mourners paid homage to the architect of the Islamic Revolution and renewed allegiance to the ideals of the 1979 Revolution.

The Leader said the “evil” enemy has experienced defeat and a profound humiliation in its confrontation with the country's Armed Forces and now seeks to compensate through a hybrid war strategy.

"The malicious enemy, having been defeated in its confrontation with your brave sons in the Armed Forces and having experienced a profound and meaningful humiliation both on the battlefield and in the public arena, has concentrated its efforts on two objectives in the framework of hybrid warfare: weakening the people's resilience and creating miscalculations among the country's officials," Ayatollah Khamenei added.

"The system of domination that created a military outpost, called Israel, nearly 80 years ago cannot accept the existence of a strong and independent Iran, endowed with numerous advantages and capabilities, on the eastern border of the false and fictitious geography of Greater Israel, that is the east of the Euphrates, so it spares no effort to prevent its (Iran’s) progress," Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized.

The Leader warned that the enemy seeks to create doubt, frustration, fear, mistrust, and discord, stressing that all Iranians must foil such sinister plots through steadfastness and insight by preserving unity, cohesion, and mutual trust, and refusal to echo their voice.

He stressed the “very important” role of Iranian authorities in supporting these matters, saying, “Any act that causes pessimism and disappointment among the people is considered a kind of aid to the enemy of this country and its people.”

Imam Khomeini awakened the Iranian nation

The Leader noted that the passing away anniversary of Imam Khomeini provides a valuable opportunity for contemplation and deliberation about “this renowned yet insufficiently understood figure.”

He described the late Imam Khomeini as a charismatic personality, whose deep understanding and recognition of his luminous path and goal would illuminate the future of the Islamic Iran.

However, he said, many younger members of the nation have not had the opportunity to know the late Imam Khomeini directly and even many of those who lived during his lifetime have not fully understood the depth of his personality and the principles of his path.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that rising up for God is the foundation of the Imam Khomeini's school of thought, noting that guidance, education, and profound influence on the Iranian society are among the most important effects and blessings of his life.

“What tremendous force could awaken a dormant nation enchanted by arrogance and colonialism on 15th of Khordad in 1342 (June 5, 1963), while suppression, oppression, and total dependence on the West prevailed? What power of inspiration could have brought millions into the streets on 12th of Bahman in 1357 (February 1, 1979) to welcome the Imam of the nation, and on 14th of Khordad in 1368 (June 4, 1989) to bid him farewell?” he asked.

“And in the last astonishing example, what firm force and iron will could from the early hours of 10th of Esfand in 1404 (March 1, 2026) mobilize the Iranian nation and bring it into the scene so that through high motivation and after more than three months, it remains fervently present, seeking justice for its martyred Leader (Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei) and other martyrs who have fallen in blood, and safeguarding the Islamic establishment and its beloved homeland?"

The Leader emphasized that the great Imam Khomeini and martyred Ayatollah Khamenei found and revived such talent and readiness in the Iranian nation.

He said the school of thought pursued by the late Ayatollah Khamenei and that of Imam Khomeini were of the same par and stated that the followers of this school of thought stand ready and join the ranks to uphold truth, eliminate falsehood, and fight along this enlightened path.

The late Imam Khomeini was the architect of a great and historic development in Iran, the Muslim world and throughout the world while the martyred Leader improved and expanded it, he said.

The Leader stressed the necessity of supporting the oppressed as an Islamic, humanitarian, and Iranian duty, saying, “The arrogant system, led by the United States, has a problem with this nation and its unique identity, as well as its unwillingness to surrender.”

Elon Musk lauds Pakistan, seeks similar justice system in the West

Elon Musk praised Pakistan's judicial system after the Lahore High Court (LHC) upheld the death sentences of two men convicted in the motorway gang-rape case and rejected their appeals.

In a post on the microblogging site X, formerly Twitter, Musk expressed his wish for a similar justice system in Western countries.

“Bravo, Pakistan! This is what we should be doing in the West.”

He posted comments after the LHC’s Wednesday ruling in which the court decided to maintain the previous verdict that had awarded death sentences to Abid Malhi and Shafqat Baga in the high-profile motorway gang-rape case, dismissing their appeals against the anti-terrorism court’s verdict.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa announced the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.

The court upheld the death sentences imposed by the ATC and all other sentences handed down to the convicts.

During the proceedings, counsel for the appellants argued that the trial court had failed to properly evaluate the facts and had not adequately considered the defence’s stance. He requested the court to set aside the death sentences and order the release of the convicts.

However, Prosecutor Raheela Shahid opposed the appeals, contending that the ATC had delivered a lawful and merit-based judgment. She maintained that substantial evidence existed against both the convicts and urged the court to dismiss the appeals.

Punjab Prosecutor General Farhad Ali Shah, at a press conference, said that it was a challenge for the state to bring the case to its logical conclusion and that the Prosecutor Department had played a vital role in securing the accused's punishment.

The investigation was initiated against the accused based on the victim's identification. Accused Malhi's DNA was collected from the crime scene, while the second accused, Bagga, was arrested through the CDR. The prosecution worked day and night on this case to ensure that the accused were punished, the Prosecutor General said.

According to case records, an FIR was registered at Gujjarpura Police Station, Lahore, on September 9, 2020. Subsequently, Anti-Terrorism Court No. 1 Lahore sentenced both men to death on March 20, 2021, for rape. The trial court had also awarded the convicts 14 years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs250,000 each for robbery.

They were further sentenced to life imprisonment for abducting the victim’s children and five years’ imprisonment for damaging her vehicle. The convicts had challenged the ATC verdict before the Lahore High Court on March 25, 2021.

US House votes for measure that would end Iran war, in blow to Trump

The Republican-led US House of Representatives approved a resolution on Wednesday to block President Donald Trump from continuing the war against Iran, reflecting ​growing concern among members of his party about the three-month-old conflict.

The House voted 215 to 208, as four Republicans voted with Democrats in ‌favour of the war powers resolution, which directs Trump to withdraw US troops from Iran unless Congress declares war or authorises the use of military force.

It was the latest setback for Trump in Congress despite his party's slim majorities in both the House and Senate.

For now, the vote is largely symbolic, as legislation must pass the Senate as well as the House to become effective, and ​there is debate over whether war powers resolutions would be constitutional even if they are approved by Congress.

The vote, nonetheless, reflects unease among some Republicans ​over Trump’s handling of the conflict and marks a rare bipartisan effort to curb presidential war powers as the war has entered ⁠a fourth month. Three previous war powers resolutions had failed in the House by increasingly slim margins, and the chamber's Republican leaders abruptly postponed a vote on this one ​last month when it looked likely to pass.

The Senate advanced a separate, but similar resolution last month in a procedural vote, after seven previous attempts had failed. Further votes on the ​Senate measure have not yet been scheduled.

The four House Republicans who voted for the war powers resolution were Representatives Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

No Democrats voted against it. Seven House members did not vote.

Recent pushback against Trump

Trump has recently faced some opposition from members of his party in Congress, after months in which very ​few Republicans pushed back against his policy initiatives.

Separately on Wednesday, the House approved a procedural motion that clears the way for a vote on the Ukraine Support Act, ​which would provide security aid to Ukraine as it fights a Russian invasion. The act reached the floor only after a petition reached a 218-signature threshold last month to move ahead.

Six Republicans and one independent ‌who normally ⁠votes with Republicans voted in favour of the Ukraine measure.

Republicans recently have revolted against Trump's plans to create a "weaponisation" fund to pay his political allies who said they had been the subject of government abuse.

Republican lawmakers on Wednesday also criticised Trump's pick of loyalist Bill Pulte - a mortgage regulator with no national security experience - to serve as acting director of national intelligence.

Separation of powers

Democrats have called on Trump to come to Congress for authorisation to use military force in the Iran conflict, noting that the US Constitution ​says only the legislature, not the president, ​can declare war.

They warned that Trump ⁠may have pulled the country into a long conflict without setting out a clear strategy and also railed against higher prices for gasoline, food and other products since the joint US-Israeli air strikes on Iran began on February 28.

"The passage of this ​WPR today signals a significant turning point: more and more Republicans are listening to their constituents who do not want ​another open-ended war in ⁠the Middle East," Representative Gregory Meeks, who sponsored the war powers resolution and serves as ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement after the vote.

Democrats have made affordability a central theme of their economic message ahead of the midterm elections in November, which will decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress.

US producer prices posted their biggest ⁠increase in four ​years in April, boosted by soaring costs for goods and services since the war began.

The Trump ​administration insists that the war on Iran is necessary for US national security, citing an "urgent need" to prevent the Islamic Republic from developing a nuclear weapon.

Republican critics of the War Powers Resolution call it ​political grandstanding by Democrats who want to weaken the US and score points against Trump.

IRGC targets enemy vessel, US Fifth Fleet HQ, American airbase after violations near Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced that its forces carried out retaliatory strikes against an enemy vessel, the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and a regional American airbase following two acts of US aggression targeting Iranian assets.

In a statement released by its Public Relations Office on Wednesday, the IRGC said the developments began late at night when an Iranian oil tanker was struck near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the statement, "Late last night, the aggressive US military struck an Iranian oil tanker with an aerial projectile in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, causing damage to the vessel's engine room."

The IRGC said the incident prompted a response by its naval forces.

"In response to this aggression and violation of the regulations governing the Strait of Hormuz, an American-Zionist enemy vessel named Panaya was targeted by missiles launched by the IRGC Navy," the Corps stated.

The statement went on to describe a second act of aggression.

"In a renewed act of aggression, the American enemy targeted an IRGC communications tower in the southern part of Qeshm Island with aerial projectiles."

The IRGC said the attack was followed by retaliatory operations carried out by its Aerospace Force.

"In response to this aggression, their air and helicopter base stationed in one of the countries of the region, as well as the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet, were subjected to missile and drone attacks by the IRGC Aerospace Force."

Warning against further escalation

The Corps said the retaliatory operations were consistent with its earlier warnings.

"We had previously warned that any act of aggression would be met with a different and heavier response, and we acted accordingly. These responses should serve as a lesson."

"We reiterate that disrupting the security of the Strait of Hormuz will carry a heavy price for the aggressive US military."

Iran confronted the latest bout of unprovoked aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime, which began on February 28, with at least 100 waves of decisive and successful retaliatory strikes. The reprisal hit sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets throughout the region. The Islamic Republic also shut down the Strait of Hormuz to enemies and their allies.

Faced with the response, US President Donald Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire on April 7.

The Islamic Republic began applying far stricter controls over the strait after Trump announced continuation of an illegal naval blockade of Iranian vessels and ports on April 13 in violation of the terms of the ceasefire.

Amid the developments, Iran introduced the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a new institutional mechanism to regulate and oversee vessel traffic through the chokepoint.

IRGC says armed forces prepared for all scenarios amid heightened military readiness

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran's armed forces are better prepared than before and are fully ready for any future contingency, asserting that any return by the enemy to military aggression will be met with different operational approaches.

Spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi credited both existing capabilities and experience gained through direct confrontation with the enemy for the enhanced position, Fars News Agency reported on Tuesday.

"If the enemy returns to the military arena, the nature of the operations, the geography of the battlefield, and even the types of weapons used will be different," he said. "The IRGC is fully prepared for all possible scenarios."

'Capabilities increased during ceasefire'

The IRGC official also said Iran has used the ceasefire period to strengthen its military readiness and repair damage.

"The reality is that during the ceasefire period, our military and operational capabilities increased," he said.

President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire unilaterally on April 7 after the United States' and the Israeli regime's latest bout of joint unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic was faced with at least 100 waves of decisive retaliatory strikes.

'Deeper understanding of the enemy'

Mohebbi said one of the principal outcomes of the recent engagement with the adversaries was a more detailed operational understanding of them.

According to the official, knowledge that had previously been derived largely from intelligence assessments and media reporting has now been supplemented by direct battlefield experience.

He said Iranian forces now possess a more precise understanding of the enemy's military assets, air defense systems, operational bases, and combat tactics.

"Today, our understanding of the enemy, its offensive and defensive equipment, its deception tactics, and the nature of its operations is much clearer than before," he said.

Rejecting claims that the Islamic Republic's military power had been weakened, he maintained that the country's combat capabilities remained intact.

"Contrary to the claims being made, neither the naval force of the Islamic Republic has been destroyed, nor has the country's operational capability decreased," he said.

'Sustained control over Strait of Hormuz symbol of IRGC power'

The spokesman noted how, throughout the latest aggression, the United States failed to adversely affect Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz despite employing extensive military capabilities.

He maintained that Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz remained fully intact and described control of the strategic waterway as a symbol of the IRGC's power.

‘Tehran halts exchange of messages with US over Israeli strikes in Lebanon’

Iran is stopping indirect message exchanges with the United States through mediators and may move to block the Strait of Hormuz, amid escalating regional tensions linked to the war involving Israel and Lebanon, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.

The report said Tehran’s negotiating team had suspended communications with Washington via intermediaries following recent attacks in Lebanon, as diplomatic efforts continue to contain a three-month-old conflict.

Tasnim said Iran and the so-called “Resistance Front,” comprising allied groups in Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq, had outlined an agenda that could include blocking the Strait of Hormuz and activating additional fronts such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, aimed at “punishing” Israel and its supporters.

The Bab el-Mandeb, off Yemen’s coast, is a key maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and onward to the Suez Canal, making it one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.

“If violations occur on one front, it is considered a violation on all fronts. The United States and Israel will be responsible for the consequences of any breach,” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in a post on X, referring to Israeli operations in Lebanon.

The war, which began on February 28 according to Tasnim, has killed thousands of people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and has contributed to rising global energy prices amid concerns over disruptions to oil and liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tasnim further quoted Iranian officials as saying there would be no talks unless Israel halts what Tehran called “aggressive operations” in Gaza and Lebanon and withdraws from occupied areas in Lebanon.

Iran has previously signalled that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies, could be used as leverage in regional conflicts, raising concerns among shipping and energy markets.

Pakistan helped avert full-blown US-Iran war, says EU top diplomat

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on Monday commended Pakistan's role in mediating between the United States and Iran, saying that Pakistan helped avert a full-blown war.

"Pakistan's diplomatic efforts have helped to prevent the return to full-blown war on several occasions, and these efforts are much recognised and appreciated across Europe," Kallas said while addressing a joint press conference along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar after the 8th EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.

Kallas, who also serves as vice-president of the European Commission, is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Dar.

Pakistan has been playing a key mediation role since hostilities erupted after US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, followed by Tehran's retaliatory strikes and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Islamabad brokered a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8 and later hosted direct talks between the two sides on April 11 and 12.

The earlier talks ended without a permanent agreement, but Pakistan continued backchannel efforts to narrow differences between Washington and Tehran.

During the press briefing today, Kallas said that with Pakistan's support, there is now a tenuous diplomatic opening to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"Yet any temporary understanding between the US and Iran must be followed by deeper talks about Iran's nuclear stockpile and other critical issues… lasting stability will require more encompassing solutions," she said.

She added that the European Union was ready to contribute to a sustainable and peaceful solution. "We bring economic leverage, hard-won nuclear expertise, long-standing relationships with partners across the Gulf, and direct engagement with Iran itself," she noted.

'A major regional power'

Meanwhile, the EU foreign policy chief also called Pakistan a "major regional power" and an important partner for the European Union. "Today in our strategic dialogue, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening EU-Pakistan ties even further," she added.

On trade in particular, there is already a strong momentum, she said, adding that the European Union remains by far Pakistan's largest export destination and it is actually larger than China and the US combined.

"Pakistan is the world's leading beneficiary of European Union trade preferences, the GSP Plus," she said, noting that but GSP Plus has clear conditions: continued preferential access to the EU market as well as progress in implementing the international conventions underpinning the scheme.

This includes good governance, environmental protection, and particularly labour and human rights, she added.

Furthermore, Kallas said that she sees a "concrete goal" for the EU in helping to make any eventual agreement durable, whether through maritime operations, economic incentives that support long-term stability, or other issues.

Here in the region, she said, Pakistan has been locked in conflict with Afghanistan.

"The fighting in recent weeks has had grave humanitarian consequences and also risks fuelling further instability and radicalisation, and this is why we have constantly called on both sides to exercise restraint and de-escalation," the EU official said.

She noted that Pakistan has the right to defend itself and its people in line with international law, but "dialogue, not air strikes, are the best offer in this situation".

'Long-term partnership'

Addressing the presser, DPM Dar welcomed the EU delegation and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to strengthening ties with the European Union.

He said the continued engagement of EU leadership and Kallas with Pakistan was highly appreciated and noted that both sides had remained in close contact on regional and international developments, particularly during the India-Pakistan conflict and the US-Iran dispute.

He added that the Pakistan-EU Strategic Vision could provide fresh direction to a long-term partnership, while the continuity of strategic dialogue reflected a dynamic and forward-looking relationship.

He said Pakistan attached great importance to its relationship with the European Union and noted that the last visit by an EU foreign policy chief to Pakistan took place seven years ago.

Dar said both sides had jointly chaired the strategic dialogue and recalled that a previous round of consultations had been held in November last year. He also thanked the EU for its cooperation during the US-Iran crisis.

The foreign minister said discussions also covered security issues and counterterrorism cooperation, including concerns over the presence of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan elements in Afghanistan.

Strategic dialogue

The strategic dialogue marked the eighth formal round of high-level consultations between Pakistan and the European Union, focusing on security, regional developments, trade, economic cooperation and multilateral engagement.

The deputy prime minister, in his opening remarks at the strategic dialogue, said that it could serve as an important foundation for deepening political understanding, expanding sectoral cooperation and strengthening institutional linkages between Pakistan and the European Union.

He said EU Strategic Vision aimed at providing long-term direction and strategic cooperation toward partnership, building upon the Strategic Engagement Plan 2019 and the Cooperation Agreement 2004.

Dar said that the continuation of the Strategic Dialogue demonstrated the shared resolve to impart greater momentum to Pakistan-EU relations and to shape a forward-looking partnership.

He said that Pakistan held a deep appreciation for the EU leadership and referred to the EU HRVP’s active engagement during the Pakistan-India war, as well as the current conflict, the US-Iran conflict as both sides kept exchanging notes.

Highlighting considerable untapped potential for cooperation, he said both sides could work together, particularly in trade and many other areas.

In her remarks, Kallas said that the momentum of 2026 was to develop EU-Pakistan relations into a more forward-looking footing.

She said that while Pakistan continued to be the world’s leading beneficiary of the GSP+ system which showed that the partnership was not only commercially significant, but was also a driver of growth.

She said that besides trade and investment, both sides could also explore the deepening of ties, including in resilience building, climate, digital infrastructure, migration and mobility.

Kallas to meet senior leadership

Earlier in the day, the EU top diplomat was welcomed by DPM Dar ahead of a strategic dialogue being held in Islamabad. Visuals shared by the Foreign Office showed Kallas being welcomed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and meeting officials.

During the visit, Kallas — also the European Commission’s vice president — will also hold meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the EU said in a separate statement.

Kallas is also expected to meet representatives from think tanks and academia during her stay in Pakistan, reflecting the EU's broader engagement with policymakers, researchers and civil society stakeholders.

The visit comes as Pakistan and the European Union continue to maintain close cooperation on trade, development, climate issues, migration and regional stability, with both sides seeking to deepen engagement through regular high-level contacts and institutional dialogue.

The EU remains Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner, with GSP+ enabling duty-free or low-duty access for many Pakistani exports to European markets.

Pakistan was awarded GSP+ status on 1st January 2014 after the country had ratified 27 international conventions and committed to implement them.

GSP+ has proven to be pivotal for EU-Pakistan bilateral trade ties. From 2014 to 2022, Pakistan’s exports to the EU increased by 108% whereas imports from the EU increased by 65% and the total trade volume increased from 8.3 billion euros in 2013 to 14.85 billion eurors.

The country's garments, bedlinen, terry towels, hosiery, leather, sports and surgical goods and similar products enter the EU market availing the GSP+ concessions.

EU foreign policy chief Kallas to visit Pakistan for strategic dialogue tomorrow

European Union High Representative on Foreign Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas will visit Islamabad on June 1 for bilateral engagements and the eighth round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, the EU said in a statement.

The eighth EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue will be co-chaired by Kallas and Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The dialogue is expected to review cooperation across a range of areas and discuss the future direction of ties between Pakistan and the European Union.

According to the EU, the meeting will provide an opportunity for both sides to assess bilateral relations under the Strategic Engagement Plan, a framework signed in June 2019 aimed at strengthening cooperation in political, economic, security and development fields.

The Strategic Dialogue is regarded as the highest-level platform for engagement between the EU and Pakistan, allowing both sides to exchange views on regional and international developments as well as matters of mutual interest.

As part of her visit, Kallas and Dar will hold a joint press conference in Islamabad following the talks. The EU said audiovisual coverage of the engagements will be made available through its official media platforms.

During her visit, Kallas is scheduled to hold meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Kallas is also expected to meet representatives from think tanks and academia during her stay in Pakistan, reflecting the EU's broader engagement with policymakers, researchers and civil society stakeholders.

The visit comes as Pakistan and the European Union continue to maintain close cooperation on trade, development, climate issues, migration and regional stability, with both sides seeking to deepen engagement through regular high-level contacts and institutional dialogue.

Hegseth says US-Pakistan ‘true friendship' growing, glorifies mediation endeavours

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday said that a "true friendship" was growing between his country and Pakistan, hailing Islamabad's efforts to bring a permanent end to the Middle East conflict.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth heaped praise on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their crucial role in Washington's peace negotiations with Tehran, Bloomberg reported.

"Pakistan is a true friend of the US," he said, adding that PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir were playing an "outstanding" role in the ongoing peace negotiations.

The US defence secretary was referring to Islamabad's ongoing efforts to bring Tehran and Washington back to the table to revive peace talks following six weeks of war.

Meanwhile, a peace deal remains elusive as a White House official told AFP that President Donald Trump will only make a peace deal with Iran if it meets all of his conditions.

The White House had indicated Trump was close to a decision on a potential deal, even as Tehran insisted there was still "no final agreement" on ending the Middle East conflict.

An Iranian state media report also rebutted several key elements of Trump's characterisation of the deal, with sources calling his remarks a "mixture of truth and lies."

Trump had previously repeated long-held demands that Iran agree never to develop nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, among other conditions.

The US president reiterated his stance on Friday shortly before attending a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room where he failed to reach a decision on a deal with Iran.

'War and talks'

Hostilities erupted in the Middle East when the US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to target US bases across the region and effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy markets.

The clashes ended after Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire on April 8, and later hosted delegations from Tehran and Washington for direct talks in Islamabad, the first such dialogue between the two nations in around 47 years.

The talks, however, concluded in a deadlock as US and Iran disagreed on many points, including Hormuz and Tehran's nuclear and missile programmes.

Despite the stalemate, Pakistan continued its efforts to bring both sides back to the table and mediated an extension in the ceasefire.

On Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan for "its initiative and effective efforts to reach an agreement" with the US.

The Iranian president made the remarks in a post on his official X account after holding separate phone conversations with PM Shehbaz and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The US, on its part, has reiterated on several occasions that Islamabad remains the key mediator in its talks with Iran.

Australian researchers teach brain cells to play 'Doom'

Australian researchers have trained lab-grown brain cells on a silicon computer chip to play the nineties shooter game "Doom" and say they are just scratching the surface of what the neurons could be capable of doing.

It's the science-fiction work of biotech boffins at Cortical Labs, who researched and developed the technology that harnesses the workings of the brain's networking system.

Each so-called "biological computer" contains around 200,000 living human brain cells, grown from stem cells that were harvested from blood donations.

Having mastered the simple computer game "Pong", where a paddle is moved up and down to send a ball across a screen, the brain cells have moved on to bigger things.

Initially, the neurons were at the "level of a beginner who's never played a video game before," Alon Loeffler, Cortical Labs' senior application scientist, told AFP.

"Doom" involves a chaotic 3D game-world where the user is required to explore its surroundings and dispatch enemies — no easy task for a clump of cells.

"They were walking into walls a lot, shooting the walls, turning around, doing funny things like that," Loeffler said.

"And then eventually they started targeting the enemies more regularly and correctly."

It's not the cleanest execution, however. One demon takes several attempts to slaughter, with shots fired in multiple directions before the target is hit.

But the mind-bending research proves the neurons can adapt to stimuli in real time and complete goal-directed learning, Cortical Labs say.

'Scratching the surface'

The researchers converted the digital environment in "Doom" into patterns of electrical signals the neurons on the chip could understand.

When an enemy appears, specific electrodes stimulate the neurons on the special chip called a CL1, causing them to react.

Different patterns of neuron activity produce specific responses, such as firing the gun or moving left or right.

Researchers monitor the electrical activity of the neurons from a computer screen connected to the CL1, represented by thousands of tiny dots.

From this data, the team adjusts their input to influence and train the neuron's activity.

The CL1 isn't limited to computer games — the chip can be coded to perform a range of applications, from drug screening to AI-like machine learning.

"We are just scratching the surface of what these neural cultures can achieve when integrated in systems like our CL1," said chief scientific and operations officer Brett Kagan.

"Our neural cultures have been explored for a variety of tasks," he said — everything from "robotics, real-time learning tasks that are similar to AI, as well as healthcare, medicine, disease modelling, drug screening and even personalised medicine".

Not 'wacky science'

Kagan describes the CL1 chip as "a more sustainable and more powerful form of intelligence".

The human brain runs on an estimated 20 watts of power, a level of efficiency that silicon computing and artificial intelligence have not yet been able to replicate.

While it's "not aimed to replace what AI is doing" it's intended to "give us abilities that we've never had before", Kagan said.

The cells have a six-month lifespan and aren't yet capable of producing consistent, programmable results.

But analysts say the project's value could lie in its more sustainable power consumption compared to regular chips.

"We need better ways to manage that power envelope and get higher levels of efficiency," William Keating, CEO of semiconductor research company Ingenuity, said.

"This isn't wacky science or some bunch of scammers. This is real science, and it's making real progress."

Iran supreme leader says regional countries will 'no longer serve as shields' for US bases

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on Tuesday that regional countries would no longer be shields for US bases, in a written statement carried by state television.

"What is certain in this regard is that the hands of time will not turn backwards, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer serve as shields for American bases," said Khamenei, in a Hajj message.

He said the United States, "in addition to no longer having any safe haven in the region for aggression and the establishment of military bases, is moving further and further away from its former position with each passing day".

The remarks come as Iran and the United States continue exchanges aimed at reaching a deal to end the war, which began on February 28 and spread across the region.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8.

Iran's foreign ministry has said Tehran and Washington reached understandings on many issues in exchanges over a deal for ending the war, but warned an agreement was not yet imminent.

On Tuesday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had downed a US drone and shot at other aircraft attempting to enter the country's airspace, without specifying when the incidents took place.

In a statement, the Guards further warned "against any violation of the ceasefire by the aggressor US military and considers its right to reciprocal response legitimate and certain."

On Monday, the US Central Command said forces attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats trying to lay mines, despite the ceasefire.

Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement that the United States has violated the ceasefire with strikes in Iran's southern Hormozgan province.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in the opening US-Israel strikes of February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran across the region.

Hajj sermon urges Muslims to uphold patience, unity and devotion to Allah

Muslims were urged to remain patient during hardships and strengthen their devotion to Allah during the Hajj sermon delivered at Namirah Mosque in Arafat on Tuesday.

Sheikh Ali Al Hudaify delivered the Hajj Khutbah before millions of pilgrims gathered in the plains of Arafat. Following the sermon, pilgrims offered combined and shortened Zuhr and Asr prayers.

Addressing the congregation, Sheikh Al Hudaify called on Muslims to adopt piety and fulfil their commitments. “O people, fear Allah, for by it the servant attains salvation in his Hereafter,” he said during the sermon.

He stressed that true preparation for the Hereafter lies in monotheism and sincere worship. “The greatest preparation for the Hereafter is through monotheism and the worship of Allah alone, and abandoning the supplication to anyone other than Him,” he said.

The imam also reminded worshippers that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the final messenger of Allah and urged Muslims to adhere to truthfulness while avoiding falsehood, backbiting and religious innovations.

Highlighting the spiritual and social significance of Hajj, Sheikh Al Hudaify said the pilgrimage reflects unity and solidarity among Muslims from across the world. “In Hajj, the manifestations of mutual acquaintance, harmony, cooperation, and solidarity among the people of Islam become evident,” he said.

He further instructed pilgrims to maintain discipline during the pilgrimage and avoid political activities or disputes. “There should be no disobedience, no arguing during Hajj, and no political slogans or partisan calls,” he said.

The sermon also emphasised calmness and compliance with official guidelines during Hajj rituals. “Follow and implement the instructions of the organising authorities to avoid chaos and to safeguard lives,” Sheikh Al Hudaify urged.

Special prayers were offered during the sermon for the forgiveness of sins, acceptance of worship and improvement in the condition of Muslims worldwide. “O Allah, accept from the pilgrims their supplications and rituals, make their affairs easy for them, forgive their sins, and return them to their homelands safe, blessed, and successful,” he prayed.

After completing the rituals at Arafat, pilgrims are scheduled to proceed to Mina for the next stage of Hajj.

Namirah Mosque holds historic significance in Islam due to its association with the site where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his Farewell Sermon. Located around 22 kilometres from Masjid al Haram, it is considered the second-largest mosque in the holy sites area.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim Ummah and pilgrims performing Hajj in his message on the occasion of Hajj.

The prime minister, in his message, described Hajj as a spiritually uplifting and blessed occasion, calling it the finest opportunity for worshippers to seek the mercy, grace, and blessings of Allah Almighty.

He prayed for the acceptance of the pilgrims' worship and urged Muslims to implement Islamic teachings and values in their daily lives.

Xi lauds Pakistan's constructive role in Middle East mediation in meeting with PM Shehbaz

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday appreciated Pakistan's constructive role in efforts to mediate peace in the Middle East as he interacted with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is on a four-day visit to China, Reuters reported quoting a pool report.

During the meeting, Xi said China and Pakistan had forged an "unbreakable traditional friendship" and stressed that Beijing prioritises its ties with Islamabad in neighbourhood diplomacy.

He also referred to the PM Shehbaz as an "old friend", underscoring close bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Xi conveyed good wishes to the people of Pakistan and welcomed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir on his visit to China, noting that he had recently returned from Iran.

"Positive efforts and mediation measures for peace are commendable," he said, while appreciating Pakistan's constructive role in regional affairs.

"Despite changing global circumstances, relations with Pakistan remain our priority," President Xi said, adding that strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation had played a significant role in the development of bilateral ties.

He said the friendship between the two nations was being carried forward from generation to generation and both sides were ready to build a stronger shared future for the benefit of their peoples.

PM Shehbaz expressed pleasure over visiting China and congratulated the people of both countries on completing 75 years of diplomatic relations.

"The credit for this everlasting friendship goes to our founding leaders," the prime minister said, adding that both countries had worked tirelessly over more than seven decades to strengthen bilateral relations.

The premier said that Pakistan and China were "iron brothers" bound in a unique relationship and reaffirmed Islamabad's commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation.

The prime minister also praised China's progress under President Xi’s leadership, calling the country a major global economic and military power with an important role in promoting global development and peace.

Referring to the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, PM Shehbaz said that both projects symbolised prosperity, development and friendship between the two countries.

The meeting comes shortly after the premier held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People.

Earlier, upon arriving at the Great Hall, PM Shehbaz was accorded a warm welcome by the Chinese premier before the two sides held delegation-level talks on bilateral cooperation and regional developments.

During the welcoming ceremony, the two leaders introduced members of their respective delegations as the national anthems of Pakistan and China were played. A guard of honour was also presented to PM Shehbaz.

Prime Minister Shehbaz introduced Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir and other members of the Pakistani delegation, while Premier Li introduced members of the Chinese cabinet.

Speaking during the meeting, PM Shehbaz stressed the need for joint Pakistan-China efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East, thanking Chinese President Xi Jinping and Beijing's leadership for supporting Islamabad's ceasefire initiatives.

The prime minister said that Pakistan fully supported President Xi's four-point agenda aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.

He added that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the Chinese foreign minister had also announced a five-point programme to help advance ceasefire efforts in the Middle East.

The premier said that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East had impacted not only economies across the world but Pakistan as well.

For his part, the Chinese premier said that Pakistan had maintained close coordination with China and played a positive role in promoting regional peace.

He added that Beijing remained committed to strengthening traditional friendship and expanding bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

The Chinese Premier said the upcoming meeting between President Xi and PM Shehbaz would provide strategic guidance for deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.

For his part, PM Shehbaz thanked the Chinese leadership for inviting him to visit China and said every visit to the country revealed new development and progress.

"Pakistan and China are celebrating 75 years of their historic friendship and diplomatic relations," the premier said, adding that the foundations of the relationship were laid by the founding leaders of both countries.

The prime minister also expressed condolences over the deadly coal mine explosion in China's Shanxi province, saying Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with the affected families.

Referring to the ongoing regional situation, PM Shehbaz said that the world was passing through a "critical phase" and noted that Pakistan had played a "sincere role" in facilitating contacts between the United States and Iran.

He said that Field Marshal Munir had recently returned from Tehran and played an important role in contacts between the Iranian and American leaderships.

“We pray that peace is restored permanently. Considerable progress has been made, and matters are moving in the right direction,” the prime minister added.

'MoUs signed'

During the high-level meeting, the two countries signed 15 accords of cooperation in multiple areas, including economy, environment and climate change, agriculture and food security, trade, media, science and technology, counterterrorism, and education.

PM Shehbaz and the Chinese premier witnessed the signing ceremony as government functionaries from both sides exchanged the documents.

Among the MoUs signed were economic development cooperation, environment and climate change cooperation.

They also signed the letter of handover for veterinary vaccines donation, along with the protocols on dried fruits, nuts, and maize to be exported to China.

Both countries also inked MoUs on conformity assessment cooperation, news cooperation, and for cooperation between the Party School of the CPC Central Committee and Pakistan National School of Public Policy.

The ceremony also featured the signing of an MoU on co-production of documentaries and people-to-people exchanges in science and technology.

In the areas of trade and capacity building, the two sides signed the MoU on free trade and multilateralism, the letter on counterterrorism equipment cooperation, and the MoU on human resource development cooperation.

The two countries also signed MoUs on cooperation in the agriculture sector, and for cooperation between China Foreign Affairs University and the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan.