US Archives - National Times

16 May

Fresh Iran Showdown Possible as Trump Reviews Strike Plans After Beijing Talks

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump, Iran, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a major decision on Iran after returning from his strategic visit to China, with reports indicating that American defence officials are preparing military response options if diplomatic negotiations fail to break the current deadlock. Sources familiar with the developments suggest that senior Pentagon officials have resumed planning for possible air operations against Iranian targets, should Washington decide to abandon the current diplomatic track. The growing tensions come just after Trump wrapped up key meetings in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where regional stability and Iran’s nuclear ambitions were among…

10 May

US Plans Major H-1B Wage Increase, New Proposal Could Raise Hiring Costs for Foreign Workers

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsH1B, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The United States administration has unveiled a proposal to significantly raise the minimum salary requirements for companies hiring workers under the H-1B visa programme, with wage thresholds expected to increase by nearly 30 per cent across multiple categories. The proposed revision, introduced by the US Department of Labor, aims to strengthen salary protections for American workers and ensure foreign professionals are not hired at lower wage rates than local employees. Under the draft framework, salary benchmarks across four experience levels would see substantial hikes. Entry-level H-1B workers could see the minimum salary requirement rise to nearly $98,000…

02 May

No Breakthrough Yet as US Rejects Iran’s Offer, Talks Remain Uncertain

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Efforts to resolve the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict continue to face obstacles, with Donald Trump making it clear that Washington is not convinced by Tehran’s latest proposal for negotiations. Addressing the media, Trump said the offer put forward by Iran fails to meet key US expectations, indicating that significant differences persist between the two sides. He suggested that although dialogue has not completely stopped, the current terms are not something his administration is willing to accept. Meanwhile, Abbas Araqchi signalled that Iran is still open to diplomatic engagement, but stressed that any meaningful progress would require a shift…

30 Apr

Iran Rebukes US Pressure Tactics as Oil Market Volatility Intensifies

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): A fresh war of words has erupted between Iran and the United States, with Tehran dismissing Washington’s blockade strategy and linking it to a sharp rise in global crude prices. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf took a swipe at recent statements made by Donald Trump, who had earlier suggested that Iran’s oil infrastructure would face severe consequences under sustained economic restrictions. Iranian officials say those predictions have not materialised, instead pointing to the country’s continued output despite mounting pressure. At the centre of the dispute is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route where…

30 Apr

Iran Signals Escalation With New Weapon Claim as US Maintains Pressure

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The standoff between Iran and its adversaries intensified on Wednesday after Tehran hinted at deploying a new military capability, even as Donald Trump reaffirmed his decision to reject a recent diplomatic proposal. A senior Iranian naval official indicated that the country is preparing to unveil a weapon system that could significantly challenge opposing forces. While no technical details were disclosed, the statement appeared aimed at signalling readiness for further escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. The remarks came shortly after Washington turned down Tehran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in…

30 Apr

Washington Seeks Global Support to Secure Hormuz Shipping Lane Amid Ongoing Iran Standoff

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsHormuz, Iran, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The United States is stepping up efforts to rally international partners for a new maritime initiative aimed at restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as disruptions linked to tensions with Iran continue to impact global trade. Officials are reportedly proposing a coordinated framework that would bring together multiple nations to ensure safe navigation in the Gulf. The plan is expected to involve intelligence-sharing, diplomatic coordination and enforcement mechanisms to counter threats to vessels passing through the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for oil shipments worldwide, has seen reduced activity amid heightened…

28 Apr

Stalemate Persists as Donald Trump Dismisses Iran’s Latest Offer on Conflict Resolution

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsDonald Trump, Iran, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): Efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis have hit another hurdle after Donald Trump signalled disapproval of a new proposal put forward by Iran. Officials indicated that Tehran’s plan outlines a phased roadmap, beginning with an immediate end to hostilities and discussions on maritime access in the Gulf, including reopening vital shipping lanes. The proposal suggests that negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme would be taken up only after initial steps are completed. However, the United States has taken a firm stance that nuclear concerns cannot be deferred. Sources familiar with internal discussions said the…

26 Apr

Peace Efforts Stall as US-Iran Tensions Persist, Talks Collapse

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Tehran/Washington (Rajeev Sharma): Prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing tensions between United States and Iran have dimmed, with negotiations failing to make headway and both sides maintaining firm positions. Efforts to revive dialogue suffered a setback after Donald Trump called off a proposed visit by American representatives to Islamabad. The move came shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded his trip to the Pakistani capital without any concrete breakthrough. Pakistan had been attempting to play a mediating role between the two sides, but diplomatic sources indicated that significant differences remain unresolved. Iranian officials have signalled that they…

21 Apr

Tehran Pushes Back Against US Pressure, Warns of Stronger Response Ahead

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Tehran/Washington (Rajeev Sharma): Iran has sharply criticized the United States for what it describes as an attempt to impose negotiations through intimidation, as tensions between the two sides continue to escalate. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran would not enter into any dialogue conducted under pressure, asserting that the US approach reflects a demand for surrender rather than genuine diplomacy. In a message shared on X, he emphasized that Iran is preparing to take further strategic steps, hinting at a possible escalation on the battlefield. The remarks come at a time when Washington is trying to revive talks…

15 Apr

US-Iran Dialogue Moves Forward, Washington Pushes for Broader Nuclear Agreement

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsIran, US

Washington (Rajeev Sharma): Fresh diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran have injected cautious momentum into stalled negotiations, with American leadership signaling both progress and persistence in pursuit of a long-term deal. US Vice President JD Vance described the recent engagement as a rare and significant development, noting that such direct-level talks between the two nations have not occurred in decades. He acknowledged that decades of strained ties have created deep suspicion on both sides, making any breakthrough a gradual process. Despite the challenges, Vance indicated that discussions were constructive, with both delegations showing interest in finding common ground.…