The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka says a joint counternarcotics operation has disrupted a Pakistan‑based trafficking network attempting to move crystal methamphetamine through Sri Lanka to international markets.

The Embassy said in a statement that acting on intelligence developed between August 14–29 by the DEA’s Foreign Counterparts Unit and Pakistan’s Anti‑Narcotics Force Special Investigations Cell, Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) intercepted suspicious maritime containers arriving from Pakistan. 

The seizure yielded approximately 463 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, concealed in bath towels, with an estimated street value of $21 million. Several suspects, including Pakistani nationals, were taken into custody.

The US Embassy stressed that the operation underscores the strength of the US–Sri Lanka partnership in dismantling transnational criminal organizations that fund terrorism and threaten communities in both countries.

It further noted that this cooperation builds on longstanding training and technical assistance provided through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to Sri Lanka Police and Customs.

The United States reaffirmed its commitment to working with Sri Lanka and regional partners to aggressively pursue transnational criminal organizations, deny them revenue from illicit drug trafficking, and protect citizens from the dangers of narcotics. (Newswire)

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The United States and Sri Lanka today began Atlas Angel II, a joint exercise running until September 4 to strengthen disaster response capabilities. 

The program brings together U.S. and Sri Lankan military personnel and subject‑matter experts for training in C‑130 aircraft maintenance, urban search and rescue, incident command systems, construction engineering, landslide response, and handling chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive hazards.

The exercise is centered at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake and in Kandy, with participation from the Montana National Guard, Sri Lanka Air Force, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and observers from the United Kingdom and Bangladesh.

U.S. Ambassador Eric Meyer said Atlas Angel demonstrates the partnership in practice: “Americans and Sri Lankans training together, sharing expertise, and learning from one another… strengthening the readiness that helps protect lives and livelihoods and contributes to a more secure Indo‑Pacific.”

Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe added: “Natural disasters know no borders. Through Atlas Angel II, we have redefined what humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations mean, with multiple nations coming together to assist people wherever they may be.”

The exercise builds on cooperation established in 2021 under the U.S. Department of War State Partnership Program between the Montana National Guard and Sri Lanka. A November 2025 MOU further formalized collaboration in disaster response, aviation, and maritime security.

Atlas Angel II also features cultural exchanges, with musicians from the U.S. Air Forces Band of the Pacific performing alongside Sri Lankan counterparts to strengthen professional and people‑to‑people ties.

The US Embassy noted that training together before emergencies occur ensures smoother coordination during real‑world crises, as seen during Cyclone Ditwah in December 2025 when U.S. and Sri Lankan forces jointly delivered critical supplies using C‑130J aircraft. (Newswire)

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Iran’s army says it attacked US military assets at the Al Minhad airbase in the UAE.

In a statement reported by Iranian news agencies, the army’s public relations department said dozens of drones were launched at the base starting “early in the morning”.

The army said the attack targeted ⁠locations where US forces ⁠and helicopters were stationed at ⁠the base.

The attack, it said, was revenge for members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and civilians who were killed in a US strike on Iran’s Larak Island, the statement said.

Iran has further said that it will respond decisively to any further military aggression, and that the US and parties supporting its actions bore full responsibility for any escalation.

In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that the country’s armed forces struck US military bases in Jordan in response to a US attack on Larak Island.

The ministry said the US bases in Jordan had been used to launch and support the attack on Larak that killed and wounded members of Iran’s armed forces and civilians. (Al Jazeera)

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US President Donald Trump’s administration has issued a pause on visa appointments for applicants around the world during an ongoing immigration crackdown by the US government in the Republican leader’s second term in the White House.

A US State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday (Aug 25) that it launched a global training initiative at all US embassies and consulates worldwide and that appointments for visa services will be adjusted to accommodate the training.

Trump has pursued an aggressive deportation drive and immigration crackdown that includes revocations of visas and green cards and rejection of applications over a range of reasons like political opinions and pro-Palestinian protests against US ally Israel’s assault on Gaza.

He says the crackdown aims to improve domestic security.

The crackdown has faced some legal setbacks. A US judge on Friday struck down a Trump administration policy suspending the issuance of immigrant visas to ​applicants from 75 countries, saying that the policy exceeded Secretary of ‌State Marco Rubio’s statutory authority.

The State Department did not specify details on the training and its timeline, beyond saying the training aimed to help consular officers screen out applicants deemed likely to become dependent on US public benefits and to ensure evaluation of visa applicants “comprehensively and consistently”.

The pause on visa appointments was reported earlier by the Financial Times, which said immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates have received emails that their appointments were being rescheduled and that they would receive future notice of a new date.

Trump’s immigration crackdown has been widely condemned by human rights groups as being discriminatory and in violation of free speech and due process rights. Rights groups also say the crackdown has created an unsafe environment in the US, especially for ethnic minorities who have raised concerns about racial profiling.

While Trump campaigned in 2024 on a ​platform of stopping illegal immigration, his administration has also made legal immigration more difficult – for example, by imposing new and expensive ​fees for applicants of certain work visas. (CNA/ Reuters)

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Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs against the United States as the trade war between Washington and Ottawa escalates, impacting hundreds of products. 

On Tuesday, the Canadian government said it would impose tariffs on 27.6 billion Canadian dollars, or $19.9bn, worth of US goods, matching “dollar for dollar” the new US duties that Trump imposed. It also announced a new plan for financial support for businesses caught in the trade war. 

The counter-tariffs will impact more than 700 products, the government said in a statement, and will target the steel and aluminium, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics and electronics sectors.

The tariffs will range from 15 percent to 50 percent and take effect on September 8.

The Canadian government also announced a new 7.5 billion-Canadian-dollar ($5.42bn) funding package to help small- and medium-sized businesses mitigate financial risks caused by the new tariffs.

Negotiations deteriorate

The new tariffs come after US President Donald Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on Canadian products on Saturday, impacting $20bn worth of Canadian goods, only days after announcing a deal.

On Monday, Trump announced new tariffs on Canadian autos, which would double existing tariffs to 50 percent from January 1.

Trump has also hurled insults at Canada in recent days. On Tuesday, Trump said that he was considering renaming Lake Ontario – the easternmost of the Great Lakes, which borders the Canadian province of Ontario – “Lake America”. The US president also referred to Prime Minister Mark Carney as “Governor Carney”, echoing longstanding remarks about annexing Canada as the “51st state”. 

On Tuesday, Trump claimed in a post on Truth Social that the US lost $60bn to Canada annually for the last decade.

But Canada maintains a trade surplus with the US of 9.9 billion Canadian dollars ($7.1bn), according to Statistics Canada. Al Jazeera reached out to the White House for clarification but did not receive a response.

US consumers feel the pinch

The impact of US tariffs is expected to be felt by US businesses and consumers. Cars and auto parts have been exempt from the tariffs that were imposed on Saturday, but have been a point of contention between Washington and Ottawa.

Canada is the largest purchaser of US-made cars, which could put pressure on American carmakers who rely on Canadian demand.

Meanwhile, US households could face higher prices on 550 consumer goods imported from Canada because of Trump’s 50 percent tariff. Those products include ice skates, toilet paper, some alcoholic beverages and paint.

That could drastically affect Americans, according to a report from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, an economic think tank, which found that US importers and consumers absorb 96 percent of the tariff burden.

Markets react

The price of gold, which is largely considered a safe investment in times of economic uncertainty, is trending upwards after falling nearly 1 percent earlier on Tuesday. It remains largely flat, down only 0.03 percent at $4,696 per ounce.

The US dollar has remained fairly stable, down 0.04 percent on Tuesday to 98.96, while the Canadian dollar index has risen comparably by 0.04 percent to 72.27.

On Wall Street, the Nasdaq is up 0.5 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is flat, and the S&P 500 is up 0.2 percent.

In Toronto, the S&P/TSX Composite Index is up 0.6 percent. (Al Jazeera)

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The United States on Monday (Aug 24) removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, rescinding a decades-old designation that came with severe economic restrictions and marking another step in warming ties between the countries.

The US Department of State also revoked its designation of al-Nusra Front – latterly known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – as a global terrorist organisation. The Treasury Department announced corresponding sanctions relief. 

Rebels led by HTS overthrew long-time Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, with the group’s leader Ahmed al-Sharaa taking over as president as the country rebuilds after more than 13 years of civil war.

“Today’s action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

Treasury said the moves were “in line with President (Donald) Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria.”

But the agency stressed that its removal of restrictions on Syria “does not change Treasury’s posture with regards to countering global terrorism and our commitment to hold bad actors in Syria accountable”.

WARMING TIES

HTS was earlier known as al-Nusra Front and was formerly the branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria. It broke ties with the jihadist group in 2016.

The United States had initially announced in July its intent to delist Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, a move seen as a vote of confidence in Sharaa.

Trump met on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Türkiye with the Syrian president, a former jihadist who has sought to recast himself as a unifying figure after the toppling of the Assad family, which ruled with an iron fist for a half-century.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday’s delistings gave Syrians “a path to prosperity”.

The action “eliminates the final major barriers for private sector investment in Syria and promotes Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy,” he said in a statement. 

Top officials in Damascus hailed the delisting as a major opportunity for the country, still economically devastated after more than a decade of war that rights groups say killed more than half a million people.

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani described Washington’s delisting as a “historic milestone” and said it reflected “the new Syrian state’s commitment to international peace and security”.

Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh described the move as a “success for Syrian diplomacy”, according to the official news agency SANA.

It “opens a major and long-awaited door to strengthening Syria’s integration into the global economic and financial system, attracting investment and modern technologies, and supporting development opportunities”.

Central bank chief Safwat Raslan lauded the development, adding that his institution was “working to build a modern and reliable financial system capable of evolving with developments and taking advantage of all opportunities”. (CNA/ AFP)

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USA player Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy has been banned from all cricket for eight years after an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching three counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

The charges relate to the Abu Dhabi T10 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for which the ICC was appointed by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (DACO).

The ban is backdated to 21 November 2025, when Reddy was provisionally suspended.

The Tribunal found Mr Reddy guilty of the following offences under the Code:

Article 2.1.1 – Attempting to fix, contrive or otherwise influence improperly, or being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly, the result, progress, conduct or other aspect of matches in the ADT10 2025.

Article 2.1.4 – soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating (or attempting to do the former) another Participant to breach Article 2.1.1 of the Code in one or more Matches in the ADT10 2025.

Article 2.4.7 – Obstructing the DACO’s investigation through deletion of data and messages from a mobile device which may have been relevant to the DACO’s investigation.

Akhilesh, who played in four T20Is for the USA, has a wicket to his name. The batter had made his debut for the national team against Cayman Islands in the North America T20 Cup. (ICC)

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Two young athletes from Sri Lanka’s Kandy District will represent the country at the U20 World Athletics Championships in America, scheduled from August 5 to 9.

Saad Falil has qualified for the 100‑metre sprint, becoming the sole South Asian athlete to secure a place in the event. 

Meanwhile, Athib Rifai will compete in the 400‑metre hurdles.

Both athletes are currently undergoing their final training sessions ahead of the tournament. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa held talks on Wednesday (29) with a visiting delegation from the United States House of Representatives led by Chrissy Houlahan, Member of the Democratic Party, House Intelligence Committee, and Air Force veteran.

The discussions, held at his office in Colombo, centered on strengthening bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and the United States, with emphasis on economic cooperation, governance, education, and regional stability. 

Premadasa highlighted the importance of continuous U.S. support for Sri Lanka’s economic framework and long‑term development, while expressing gratitude for the assistance extended in recent years.

He recalled the quota access granted during the administration of late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, noting its significant contribution to expanding Sri Lanka’s garment industry, generating employment, and boosting export revenue. He thanked the U.S. for its vital role in supporting the sector’s growth.

Houlahan reaffirmed America’s commitment to democratic values, economic stability, and sustained engagement with Sri Lanka. Both sides exchanged views on shared priorities, including strengthening democratic institutions, promoting transparency and accountability, expanding access to education, and creating sustainable economic opportunities for Sri Lankan citizens.

The meeting concluded with a pledge to further enhance cooperation between the two nations for mutual benefit. (Newswire)

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US President Donald Trump on Monday (Jul 27) voiced optimism at the prospects for a negotiated peace deal with Iran, as the two sides held their fire for a third consecutive day.

Fighting between the longtime foes has been paused since Friday after 13 nights of renewed US strikes on the Islamic Republic sparked by a breakdown in diplomacy over Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

But the US leader expressed hope that renewed diplomacy could bring an end to the war that began in late February with a wave of US-Israeli strikes, rattling both the region and the global economy.

“I have a lot of patience … We’ll see what happens,” he said aboard Air Force One. “I think there is a good chance that something could happen.”

Tehran had earlier denied that there were any talks with the US to end the conflict.

“Mediators may convey messages from the American side to us regarding current developments in the region. But at present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.

But Trump insisted during a speech in Michigan that “right now, they’re talking to us about making a deal”.

Aboard Air Force One, the US president had earlier said that if the new efforts failed, “we go back to doing what we were doing” before the pause in fighting.

On that subject, he dismissed concerns that US ammunition stockpiles were running low nearly five months after the war began.

“We have a lot of ammunition. We have a lot of the mid-level stuff too, more than we could ever use no matter what,” he said. 

SAUDI ARABIA ATTACKED

Despite the recent lull, Saudi Arabia came under attack on Monday, with its defence ministry saying it had intercepted several drones fired by Iran-linked groups in Iraq targeting oil facilities.

No group claimed responsibility, but Riyadh called on Baghdad to prevent such attacks from being launched from its territory.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi later called for an investigation into Saudi Arabia’s allegations.

Pakistan, which has been mediating a resolution to the Middle East war, condemned the drone attacks, saying they “pose a grave threat to peace and stability” in the Middle East.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels also said they launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure in response to incursions by the kingdom’s drones. Riyadh is yet to comment on the claim.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations accused pro-Iran militias in Iraq of launching waves of attacks on their territory during the conflict’s earlier phase, but the groups have not claimed any attacks in the region since the resumption of hostilities.

Elsewhere, the Israeli military, which has not joined the recent fighting, said it had intercepted two drones near the Jordanian border and was investigating where they had been launched from. (AFP/CNA)

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The United States and Sri Lanka on Sunday (26) launched the sixth iteration of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise, a bilateral maritime programme designed to bolster security cooperation, humanitarian response, and disaster readiness across the Indian Ocean. 

Hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy from July 27–31 in Trincomalee and Colombo, CARAT Sri Lanka 2026 brings together personnel from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force for a week of shore‑ and sea‑based training aimed at enhancing interoperability and trust between the two nations’ forces.

According to the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, since 2017, CARAT Sri Lanka has helped build the trust, experience, and operational coordination that underpin the enduring U.S.-Sri Lanka defense partnership.

“This exercise reflects the United States’ enduring commitment to our security partnership with Sri Lanka,” said Lt. Col. Matthew House, U.S. Embassy Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché to Sri Lanka. “When our sailors train side-by-side, they build the trust, interoperability, and professional relationships that allow us to respond more effectively together when it matters most. We saw that firsthand during last year’s response to Cyclone Ditwah, when the relationships built through years of cooperation enabled our forces to work seamlessly alongside one another in support of the Sri Lankan people.” 

“This exercise reflects the United States’ enduring commitment to our security partnership with Sri Lanka,” said Lt. Col. Matthew House, U.S. Embassy Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché to Sri Lanka. “When our sailors train side-by-side, they build the trust, interoperability, and professional relationships that allow us to respond more effectively together when it matters most. We saw that firsthand during last year’s response to Cyclone Ditwah, when the relationships built through years of cooperation enabled our forces to work seamlessly alongside one another in support of the Sri Lankan people.”

The exercise features a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, which will support maritime domain awareness training and coordinated operations, helping both navies strengthen their ability to monitor maritime activity and respond to incidents across the Indian Ocean. A U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Engagement Team (MET) will also train aboard SLNS Gajabahu (P626), the former U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro transferred by the United States, and employ a U.S.-provided rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) during maritime operations, demonstrating how U.S. security assistance helps build Sri Lanka’s long-term maritime capabilities.

U.S. and Sri Lanka Navy personnel will participate in classroom exchanges and hands-on training in maritime domain awareness, tactical medicine, explosive ordnance disposal, and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations throughout the week, before applying those skills together at sea. Community service projects, sporting events, and cultural exchanges that strengthen the personal relationships between service members is another critical part of CARAT Sri Lanka. Those connections build trust long before a crisis occurs, helping ensure our forces can work together effectively whenever they are called upon.

With Sri Lanka situated along one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, the ability of our navies to work together has real-world importance. Through CARAT, the United States and Sri Lanka strengthen the partnerships and practical skills needed to combat transnational threats, conduct search and rescue operations, respond to natural disasters, and help keep the Indian Ocean’s vital sea lanes safe for global commerce. (Newswire)

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Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States does the same, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday (Jul 26). 

The development comes as the United States pressed pause on its bombing campaign after President Donald Trump’s advisers told him they were running out of targets and expressed worries about depleting the US arsenal.

After 13 nights of intensifying US airstrikes on Iran, the Pentagon suspended the campaign late on Friday, with no US attacks reported on either Saturday or Sunday. Iran, which had been following each night of US attacks with its own strikes on neighbouring countries that host US bases, has also so far held fire for two days. 

The Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Tehran’s position “remains ‘attack for attack’: If the attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations. That message has already been conveyed to the United States.” 

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, told “Fox News Sunday” and other US media that Trump had decided to pause US attacks to allow more time for diplomacy.

“He’s giving talks some space, he’s giving it a little bit of room,” Waltz said, without providing further details. US military officials in recent days have cautioned that bombings over the past two weeks meant to deter Iranian threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway that has become a key flashpoint in the war — had largely exhausted the pre-selected sets of targets, one US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 

Resuming major combat operations remains an option, but General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has cautioned privately to Trump that it would carry risk given the negative impact on stocks of munitions, the official said. That includes interceptors used by US air defences in the Middle East, the official added. Caine’s office and US Central Command declined comment. 

US military officials have traditionally declined to comment on their private advice to a sitting US president, even in testimony to Congress. On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Waltz said the US military “has everything that it needs”, but also said that when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took over under the Trump administration, he “inherited a depleted situation”.

The senior Iranian source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Tehran did not hold much hope that Trump’s decision to pause strikes represented a major shift in the US negotiating position. 

“There is more scepticism than optimism about the halt in attacks. The prevailing view is that the pause is tactical rather than genuine. Iran has accumulated enough bitter experience with what it sees as US deception,” the source said.

“STUCK IN LIMBO”

For the past two weeks, US forces had been striking Iran nightly in what Washington said was retaliation for Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces have responded to the US attacks by launching strikes at water desalination plants in nearby Gulf Arab states.

Iran says it aims to retain control of the strait, through which a fifth of global oil flows passed before the war. The renewed US military campaign effectively torpedoed last month’s interim agreement aimed at ending the war. Trump’s decision to pause the strikes followed what several media outlets described as a meeting on Friday where Caine and other senior military and political advisers raised concerns.

CNN said Vice President JD Vance had expressed reservations. Axios reported that the overall commander of US forces in the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, had advised halting the US bombing campaign because it had reached the limits of its effectiveness. 

Residents of Iran remain apprehensive. Nader, 49, an import-export business owner in Tehran, said he doubted any pause in strikes would last.

“Everyone in the country is stuck in limbo,” he told Reuters by telephone. “Trump is playing games with Iran. He neither ends the war and leaves the region nor strikes decisively. It’s exhausting.” (CNA/ Reuters)

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The Ministry of Finance announced today that the United States has reduced the proposed 12.5% additional tariff on Sri Lankan exports to a minimum of 10%, following Sri Lanka’s decision to ban the import of goods produced using forced labour.

According to the Ministry, the move is expected to deliver positive results for exporters, while reflecting Sri Lanka’s ongoing commitment to fair trade, responsible business practices, and internationally accepted labour standards.

Officials said the tariff adjustment will enhance the competitiveness of Sri Lankan exports in the US market, sending a strong signal to investors and buyers about the country’s dedication to sustainable economic reforms.

The Ministry added that the revision demonstrates Sri Lanka’s determination to build a modern, competitive trading environment that supports exporters and contributes to sustainable economic growth. (Newswire)

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The deal between the US and Saudi Arabia to help the Gulf kingdom develop nuclear energy is dependent on Riyadh recognising the State of Israel, President Donald Trump has said.

“The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!)… which pertains only to non-military use… will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords,” Trump said on Truth Social.

It was not immediately clear if the condition of joining the accords was stipulated in the text of the nuclear deal – which has not been released – or that Saudi Arabia had agreed to that condition.

Saudi Arabia has not responded to Trump’s remarks so far.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that Trump had discussed the condition to Saudi leaders on numerous previous occasions.

“He has said if they don’t join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off,” she said. “So we’ll continue to have those conversations with our Saudi counterparts moving forward.”

Trump’s comments come come after criticism from experts that the US-Saudi deal announced on Wednesday could run the risk of future nuclear proliferation in an already unstable region.

Some Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressed similar concerns, though Trump’s Republican Party controls both the upper and lower chambers and opponents of the deal do not appear to have the votes needed to block it.

According to the US Department of Energy, it includes a “peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement” and a “bilateral safeguards agreement”.

“Together, these two agreements lay the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives, including nuclear nonproliferation,” a statement from the department said.

It said the agreement would be sent to the US Congress for review.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Thursday that it was aware of US and Saudi plans for a “bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement and the plan to ask the IAEA to implement verification measures in relation to this”.

“We look forward to receiving the request for such verification and to working with the US and KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] in ensuring the implementation of those measures.”

During Trump’s first term as US president, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords, resulting in a historic normalisation of relations between Israel and two Arab nations – the first in decades.

Sudan, Morocco and Kazakhstan have since also signed them, too.

Saudi Arabia has previously said it will not do so without the establishment of a Palestinian state, but the White House said the deal would be off if Riyadh did not join the accords.

Israel has welcomed Trump’s statement.

Posting on X, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Saudi Arabia joining the accords “would be an historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East”.

The statement did not mention the nuclear deal. However, Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat said previously his country “can manage it” if Saudi Arabia had nuclear power for peaceful means.

Others were more critical. Former Israeli defence minister Avigdor Lieberman, told the paper: “Every military nuclear program begins with a civilian one.”

Israel itself is widely believed to have nuclear weapons, but it neither confirms nor denies that this is the case.

The US-Saudi deal is described as a “peaceful nuclear co-operation agreement” that will provide “great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy programme” by the US energy department.

The nuclear issue has been at the centre of the months-long US-Israeli conflict with Iran which has for years denied Western accusations that it aims to acquire nuclear weapons. 

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told CBS News in 2018 that his own nation was not planning to acquire a nuclear weapon, but that “without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible”.

Earlier US media reports suggested the deal could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future – which can be used as fuel for power plants, but also potentially to make nuclear bombs. However, Trump’s remarks appear to deny this.

Rosemary Kelanic, the director of the Middle East programme at the US-based Defense Priorities think tank, said it would be “quite shocking” if the US were to allow Saudi Arabia uranium enrichment facilities.

“The US has never done that before. We have never helped another country enrich on their own soil,” she said, adding that this was because “if you can produce your own nuclear fuel, you become a much bigger risk” for building nuclear weapons. (BBC)

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Pakistan has asked the United States for a $10 billion exchange stabilization facility, according to two sources briefed on the matter, which, if approved, could provide a lifeline ​for the cash-strapped South Asian economy.

The request, which is being reported for the first time, follows Pakistan’s role in brokering talks over the Iran war, which raised ‌its diplomatic profile and stirred hopes that it could seek economic gains from Washington and other partners.

Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb made the request in a letter delivered during a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on Tuesday, a U.S. official said.

In it, Islamabad asked for creation of a Bilateral Exchange Stabilization Support Facility between the U.S. and the Pakistani government worth $10 billion with maturity of up to five years.

The facility, if agreed to, would bolster ​Pakistan’s reserves, ease pressure on the rupee and reduce its reliance on multilateral financing, even as Islamabad undertakes tighter fiscal and monetary policies in line with its International Monetary Fund ​program.

The U.S. Treasury declined to comment on the request. Pakistan’s finance ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment outside of Asia ⁠business hours.

During his meeting with Bessent, Aurangzeb raised the vulnerability of the country’s economy to regional geopolitical developments, his ministry said in a statement that did not mention the request.

“Senator Aurangzeb sought greater ​U.S. support for Pakistan’s road to market, underpinned by improved access to international capital markets, higher foreign exchange reserves, and enhanced sovereign credit ratings,” it said, adding that both sides reaffirmed their commitment ​to deepening bilateral economic cooperation, promoting greater U.S. investment, and advancing strategic projects.

Pakistan remains under $7 billion IMF discipline that has required politically unpopular tax increases, spending restraint and reforms.

Exchange stabilization facilities are rare U.S. Treasury backstops, usually routed via the Exchange Stabilization Fund, that provide dollars, swaps or guarantees to support reserves and steady currencies.

These facilities are different from the permanent standing dollar swap lines that the U.S. Federal Reserve has with some major central banks ​and act as an international supply line of U.S. dollars to underpin financial stability.

A 2025 Argentina package was the first new foreign-government exchange stabilization facility operation since Uruguay in 2002, aside from ​Mexico’s long-standing swap line, dating to the 1940s and now sized at $9 billion.

Pakistan narrowly avoided default in 2023 with a $3 billion IMF standby deal and later secured a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, along with a separate $1.3 billion ‌loan to ⁠build up its resilience to climate change and natural disasters. But its reserves still depend on official financing, rollovers and deposits from China and Saudi Arabia.

That leaves Islamabad exposed to shifts in bilateral support and IMF disbursement delays. That vulnerability was exposed in April when Pakistan repaid about $3.5 billion, one-fifth of its reserves, to the United Arab Emirates with Saudi Arabia providing $3 billion in fresh support.

Pakistan’s central bank said in January that reserves could return to near their 2021 record, reaching $20 billion by the end of 2026.

RECASTING TIES WITH WASHINGTON

A U.S. exchange stabilization facility would carry weight as both a liquidity ​backstop and political signal, easing pressure on reserves ​and the Pakistani rupee, while reducing the ⁠South Asian country’s dependence on IMF tranches and ad hoc rescues.

IMF-backed reforms have stabilized the economy at a political cost, including higher taxes, spending restraint and limited room for development or welfare spending.

Ratings agency Fitch said in April that Pakistan’s adherence to its IMF program has supported the country’s funding ​capacity, while rebuilt foreign exchange buffers provide a cushion against economic shocks from the Middle East conflict.

But deeper constraints remain. Fitch cautioned that ​rising energy costs and potential ⁠supply disruptions could sharply erode the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Foreign investment in Pakistan has remained thin, deterred by recurring external crises, policy uncertainty, security risks, past profit-repatriation curbs and a narrow export base, while the country’s credit rating remains deep in speculative-grade territory, keeping borrowing costs high and market access limited.

Pakistan has sought to use its ties to the Trump administration to address some of these issues, with economic cooperation ⁠that has so ​far spanned crypto, real estate and mining.

Pakistan has signed a stablecoin agreement for cross-border payments with an affiliate of World ​Liberty Financial, the main crypto business of President Donald Trump’s family.

It has also pursued a memorandum of understanding to redevelop the closed Pakistan International Airlines-owned Roosevelt Hotel in New York with the U.S. government, and courted U.S. mining investment, including ​in Reko Diq, where the U.S. Export-Import Bank has announced $1.25 billion in financing. (Reuters)

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United States Vice President JD Vance has accused some members of Israel’s government of trying to influence US public opinion ⁠to oppose a deal to end the war with Iran.

In remarks made during an interview with US podcaster Joe Rogan that aired on Wednesday, Vance offered unusually pointed criticism of one of Washington’s closest allies.

Vance defended a deal the US reached last month to end the war with Iran, adding, “I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are ‌trying to, like, actually shift us away from that policy because they want to continue the military campaign.”

Vance, whom many view as a potential future presidential candidate, has previously criticised Israel in what has become a widening public rift between the two countries.

“There’s a literal foreign influence campaign being funded to tank the very deal that I was pursuing,” Vance told Rogan, citing a report published by Time Magazine on Monday, which said a former Trump campaign manager was hired on behalf of Israel to run a digital campaign to influence US views of Israel and the Iran war.

“You have seen this very discreet, extremely well-funded campaign to try to derail the negotiation and try to derail the deal,” said Vance.

“There are some people within their system that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” he added.

Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington, DC, said the Israeli-linked influence campaign Vance referenced is likely “meant to influence Trump’s MAGA [Make America Great Again] base”, which is increasingly divided over US policy towards Israel.

“That explains why Vance went on the Joe Rogan podcast,” said Culhane. “[Rogan is] one of the most popular podcasters in the country and is very much a key voice in influencing the young men that make up the MAGA base.” 

Influence campaigns ‘affect political judgement’

The US vice president also claimed an Israeli-linked influence campaign had targeted him personally over his diplomatic outreach to Iran.

“People are attacking me viciously for quite literally trying to accomplish the negotiation objective that the president set for the country,” he said.

Vance acknowledged that both allies and adversaries alike seek to influence US policy, and said, “It doesn’t bother me that Israel tries to do this.”

However, he said, “What does bother me is when those operations, those influence campaigns, actually affect ⁠American political judgement.”

Vance defended the US-Iran interim peace agreement reached last month, which was intended to end the war, but has faced significant opposition in Israel.

The agreement appears to have largely unravelled over escalating attacks by the US and Iran during the last week.

Asked if he ‌thought that the US would have engaged in the most recent war with Iran were it not for Israeli influence, Vance said, “Yes, yes I do.”

“I think the president, separate from any influence from Israel, ‌believes very strongly – and again, I agree with this – that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said.

Vance has previously slammed Israeli critics of the Iran deal, saying in June that US President Donald Trump is Israel’s only ⁠ally, in a sharp rebuke that referenced the billions in US ⁠military aid to Israel.

‘Quite shocking’

Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas said Vance’s latest remarks were “unprecedented” and show that the US and Israel “are not on the same page” right now.

“No sitting US vice president has ever accused Israel of openly running a campaign to undermine American policy,” Pinkas, now a columnist at The New Republic, told Al Jazeera.

“There have been disagreements in the past, there has been friction. But for a sitting vice president to come out so vociferously, clearly, and crudely against an Israeli influence campaign against the US is truly unprecedented,” Pinkas said. “It is quite shocking.”

Al Jazeera’s Culhane also said Vance’s remarks were “unheard of”.

Separately, Vance weighed in on the controversy surrounding the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying Epstein had unspecified high-level connections to both US and Israeli intelligence agencies.

Israel’s government did not immediately comment on Vance’s remarks. (Al Jazeera)

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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, has presented the first copy of a Coffee Table Book published by the Embassy to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Independence to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker. 

The publication, unveiled at the Department of State on Wednesday (15), highlights milestones in the U.S.–Sri Lanka relations, American assistance to Sri Lanka, and the contributions of individuals from both nations, while underscoring the enduring friendship between the two countries. 

The Coffee Table Book is an initiative by the Embassy to underscore the enduring friendship and longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United States.

The Book reflects upon the key milestones in relations between Sri Lanka and the United States, assistance provided by the United States to Sri Lanka over the years and also recognizes prominent individuals of both countries who have contributed to the socio-economic development of the two nations. Through compelling photography and insightful narratives, the publication offers readers a comprehensive perspective on longstanding relations between Sri Lanka and the United States.

During the meeting, the Ambassador briefed the Under Secretary on the objectives of the publication and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further consolidate bilateral relations. He also informed her that he would work towards translating this publication into Sinhala and Tamil languages, making it more accessible to the general public in Sri Lanka.

The Under Secretary welcomed the publication and appreciated the Embassy’s initiative in documenting the historical information on the evolving US-Sri Lanka relations, at a special juncture when the US is celebrating its 250th anniversary of independence.   

The publication of this Coffee Table Book was made possible as a result of the sponsorship made by the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAF), underscoring the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to foster stronger bilateral ties and expand public and trade diplomacy initiatives.  

The publication was edited by peacebuilder Pushpi Weerakoon, who served as the Lead Editor.

The Coffee Table Book is available on the following link for perusal:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fkc_4voJwz9bsgAzRvfGPN85ItBpOu3o/view?usp=sharing (Newswire)

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it hit dozens of US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait overnight in response to US strikes, in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.

“In an initial response to this aggression, the IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force carried out a joint missile and drone operation, striking 85 key US military facilities” in the two countries, while also shooting down an MQ-9 drone, the statement says. (Israel Times)

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US and Iran agree to halt strikes and hold talks in Qatar on Tuesday over Strait of Hormuz tensions, US media reports.

The United States and Iran have agreed to halt their military strikes and will hold high-level talks in Qatar on Tuesday in an urgent effort to rescue their fragile peace agreement, American media reported, citing senior US officials.

The breakthrough comes after days of escalating military exchanges that threatened to derail an interim memorandum of understanding signed on 17 June, which aimed to end the conflict that began in late February and disrupted shipping through the vital waterway.

Under that agreement, Tehran committed to allow safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz while Washington agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports.

‘Ships can pass freely, for now’

“We decided to stop all the kinetic activity,” a senior US official told media outlet Axios on Sunday, using a military term for strikes.

A second American official told Axios both sides will stand down “for now” and that “vessels can move freely” as talks are set to continue.

Both US officials and a third source with knowledge confirmed Tuesday’s meeting in Qatar, Axios said.

CNN reported matching comments from a Trump administration official, confirming that the two sides have agreed to meet in Doha on Tuesday for further discussions.

Venue moved from Switzerland to Qatar

US President Donald Trump has maintained a firm stance throughout the friction. On Saturday, Trump repeated his warnings of total military action if Iranian attacks on shipping resume, stating that Iran would “no longer exist” if the US is “forced” to restart the war.

According to diplomatic sources, Tuesday’s meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Switzerland to address broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme. However, following the dangerous spike in military confrontations over the weekend, the venue was shifted to Qatar, and the agenda was narrowed specifically to the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz. (Euronews)

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U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, S. Paul Kapur, arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday, on a three-day visit that will continue until June 24.

While in Sri Lanka, Assistant Secretary Kapur will meet with senior government leaders, private sector executives, and representatives of U.S. companies to discuss expanding bilateral trade and investment, strengthening security cooperation, and advancing shared priorities in the region. 

According to a US Embassy statement, the visit reflects President Donald Trump’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that advance American prosperity and security, while deepening cooperation with Sri Lanka as a key Indian Ocean partner. 

Paul Kapur was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs on October 22, 2025. He is on leave from the United States Naval Postgraduate School, where he was a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs. Previously, Kapur was a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, served on the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff, and taught at Claremont McKenna College. (Newswire)

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