Israel Archives - National Times

25 Jul

US Withdraws Gaza Ceasefire Team Amid Stalled Talks; Israel Backs West Bank Annexation, India Calls for Truce at UN

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsDonald Trump, Gaza ceasefire talks, Hamas, Israel, Steve Witkoff

Washington/Doha/New York, July 25, 2025 — The United States is pulling back its negotiating team from Qatar following a deadlock in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Thursday that the recent response from Hamas “showed a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza,” prompting Washington to reassess its strategy.Witkoff, addressing reporters, stated, “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.” He added that the United States would now explore “alternative options” to bring hostages home and…

28 Jun

Iran-Israel War Sends Shockwaves Through Pakistan’s Balochistan Border

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsIran, Israel, Pakistan

Quetta (National Times): As the dust settles on the Iran-Israel conflict following a ceasefire agreement, the fallout continues to ripple across Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, which shares a 900-kilometer border with Iran. While Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) met on June 23 to assess the strategic implications of the war, the human cost is unfolding in real-time for communities living along the border. Home to a population that straddles both sides of the frontier, the Baloch region is facing a crisis of livelihood and essential supplies. Border crossings at key transit points such as Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, and Washuk…

24 Jun

Donald Trump Declares Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran, Despite Conflicting Reports from Tehran

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump, Iran, Israel, US

Washington, D.C. (National Times): US President Donald Trump has announced that a ceasefire is now in effect between Israel and Iran, marking what he calls a “historic breakthrough” in one of the most volatile flashpoints of the Middle East. The statement, issued through his official Truth Social account, comes amid ongoing tensions and mixed signals from the region. “The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it…,” Trump posted on Tuesday, urging restraint following what he described as a decisive military maneuver by the U.S. In a separate post, Trump credited the U.S. military’s strategic role in facilitating…

24 Jun

Donald Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire, But Tehran Denies Agreement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCeasefire, Donald Trump, Iran, Israel

Washington/Tehran/Jerusalem (National Times): In a dramatic turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that a full ceasefire agreement had been reached between Iran and Israel to end the ongoing 12-day war that has shaken the Middle East. However, Iran’s top officials swiftly denied any such agreement, casting doubt on Trump’s declaration. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now)... A war that could have gone on for…

23 Jun

US Urges China to Prevent Iran from Shutting Down Strait of Hormuz Amid Soaring Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsAmerica, China, Donald Trump, Iran, Israel

Washington/Beijing (National Times): Amid escalating Middle East tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged China to intervene diplomatically and stop Iran from potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. Rubio’s appeal comes in response to reports from Iran's state-run Press TV, which stated that the Iranian parliament had approved a proposal to shut the Strait. However, the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The Strait, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, facilitates the passage of nearly 20% of the global oil supply. Speaking…

22 Jun

Netanyahu Hails Trump After US Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Sites: “A Historic Shift Begins Tonight”

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsBenjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Iran, Israel

Jerusalem/Washington (National Times): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday applauded U.S. President Donald Trump for ordering airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it a "bold and historic decision" that he believes will reshape the future of the Middle East. In a nationally broadcast video statement following the strikes, Netanyahu declared, “President Trump and I have always said: ‘Peace through strength.’ Tonight, the United States demonstrated extraordinary strength under his leadership.” The U.S. military, in a coordinated nighttime assault, targeted Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. According to Trump’s comments on Fox News, the operation involved six…

22 Jun

Tensions Soar as Iran Declares All Americans in West Asia ‘Targets’ Following US Strikes on Nuclear Sites

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, Israel, US

Tehran/Washington (National Times): Iran issued a stark warning to the United States on Saturday, declaring that all American personnel and citizens in West Asia are now considered targets, following U.S. airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. In a broadcast on Iranian state television, Tehran condemned the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and accused Washington of committing “a crime against Iran.” The message, aimed directly at U.S. President Donald Trump, stated: “Mr. President of the United States, you started it — and we will end it.” The segment aired alongside graphics highlighting U.S. military…

22 Jun

Here’s what Donald Trump said after US Launches Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Amid Escalating Conflict with Israel

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump, Iran, Israel

Washington, D.C. (National Times): In a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, the United States has carried out targeted strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. The high-stakes operation was confirmed by President Donald Trump, who issued a series of strong-worded statements late Tuesday night. Labeling Iran as the "bully of the Middle East," Trump warned Tehran that if peace is not pursued urgently, future military responses from the U.S. would be "far greater and easier." Referencing decades of Iranian hostility, Trump said, “For 40 years, Iran has been saying…

20 Jun

SGPC Urged to Take Immediate Action to Evacuate Guru Granth Sahib Saroops from Iran Amid Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, Israel, SGPC

Amritsar/Tehran (National Times): With rising tensions in Iran due to the Israel-Iran conflict, calls for the urgent evacuation of sacred Sikh scriptures from the region have grown louder. The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has made an emotional appeal to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), urging immediate action to protect the saroops (physical copies) of Guru Granth Sahib Ji from the Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Tehran. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal has requested the SGPC to send a team of five dedicated Sikhs on a chartered flight to bring back the saroops with full maryada (religious…

19 Jun

China, Egypt Urge Immediate Ceasefire Amid Escalating Middle East Crisis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsChina, egypt, Iran, Israel

Beijing/Cairo (National Times) — In a crucial diplomatic exchange, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East, expressing deep concern over Israel's recent military actions and the escalating regional tensions. Wang Yi sharply criticized Israel’s operations, stating that its conduct “disregards international law and global norms,” warning that such actions risk pushing the region to the brink of uncontrollable conflict. He called on all parties—particularly Israel—to prioritize the safety, well-being, and interests of people across the region. “China is deeply concerned that the…