The reigning European champions and Didier Deschamps’ French team face off at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in what is seen by many as a ‘final before the final’ featuring the two best sides left in the tournament.

In the blue corner are France, who have progressed serenely to the last four on the back of a multi-pronged strike-force spearheaded by captain Kylian Mbappe — he has scored eight goals in six games.

Mbappe’s supporting cast includes Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, Ballon D’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue.

In the red corner, Spain, who have calmly worked their way into the semi-finals with their brand of possession-based, relentless football that has become their trademark under Luis de la Fuente.

While individual brilliance has lit up France’s campaign, Spain have relied on collective menace — a well-oiled machine founded on the silky passing of midfielders such as Rodri, Pedri and Fabian Ruiz, providing ammunition for teenage winger Lamine Yamal.

It all adds up to a classic clash of styles that will see Spain attempt to sever the supply lines to Mbappe and company by controlling possession, while simultaneously seeking to put pressure on a France defence that has yet to be seriously tested.

While that may be easier said than done, Spain will take encouragement from their recent record against France.

La Roja defeated France 5-4 in a high-scoring UEFA Nations League thriller last year and also scored a 2-1 semi-final win en route to victory at the European Championship in 2024.

Nothing to fear

Yamal, who will go into Tuesday’s blockbuster just a day after turning 19, says Spain have nothing to fear.

“Obviously, we are two great teams, among the best in the world. We’ll see what happens, but we have no fear,” Yamal said after Spain’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday.

“There are two possibilities – either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We’ll see what happens. We aren’t afraid at all.”

Spain coach De la Fuente echoed Yamal’s message of “no fear”.

“The French are in great form, and we have different playing styles,” De la Fuente said. “We have the greatest respect for our opponents, but we feel capable of beating any team.

“We’re aware of their immense potential, but we also know that we’re the only team to have beaten them in two semi-finals.”

France, meanwhile, will expect their gilded attacking line-up to pose questions of a steely Spanish defence that only conceded its first goal of the tournament in Friday’s win against the Belgians.

There is also a tangible sense of purpose driving a united French squad towards a second World Cup title in three tournaments under Deschamps, who will step down at the end of the finals.

France’s arrival in the last four makes them only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup semi-finals after Germany (1982-90 and 2002-14) and Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002).

Deschamps modestly plays down his own role in transforming France into the superpower of modern international football as they aim for a third straight final appearance.

“I don’t know, having very good players, I guess. But I can’t be doing my job too badly,” Deschamps said last week when asked for the secret to his success.

“It is a human adventure, and even though I chose the players, to be with this squad every day is very important,” Deschamps added.

“I am very happy on a personal level and also happy to see them enjoying themselves so much.”

France’s players reciprocate that sense of affection, illustrated most clearly when Mbappe celebrated scoring a goal against Sweden by sprinting to the sideline to embrace Deschamps, who had just rejoined the team after returning to France following the death of his mother.

“It is in this squad’s DNA to all be together and behind the coach, whatever happens,” said Mbappe.

The draw will take place at the National Savings Division office in Lahore under the supervision of authorised officials.

According to the official prize structure, the first prize is Rs1,500,000 for one lucky number, while second prizes of Rs500,000 each will also be awarded to three lucky numbers.

In addition, 1,696 winners will each receive the third prize of Rs9,300.

This will be the third quarterly draw of the year. The first draw was held in Peshawar on January 15, followed by the second draw in Quetta on April 15.

Prize bonds remain one of Pakistan’s most popular savings instruments, offering investors a secure way to save while providing the opportunity to win cash prizes through quarterly draws conducted by National Savings.

Rs750 prize bond prize money

• First prize: Rs1,500,000 (one lucky number)
• Second prize: Rs500,000 (three winning numbers)
• Third prize: Rs9,300 (1,696 winners)

Rs750 prize bond winning numbers

The complete list of Rs750 prize bond winning numbers will be announced after the draw concludes on July 15.

This story will be updated with the official results as soon as they are released by National Savings.

But the defending champions’ journey to the last four has been engulfed by online conspiracy theories claiming — without evidence — that the playing field has been tilted in their favour.

Social media is awash with AI-generated videos and memes which amplify this narrative, whether it’s FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Messi sharing a loving embrace on the deck of the Titanic in the style of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, or simply Infantino’s face being superimposed at the heart of the Sun of May at the centre of Argentina’s flag.

From contentious refereeing decisions to claims of being handed a kind draw to the final, AFP breaks down the main incidents which have given rise to the conspiracy theories:

Messi escapes red

In Argentina’s group stage win over Algeria, with the South Americans leading 1-0, captain Lionel Messi raked his studs down the right calf and Achilles tendon of Algeria skipper Aissa Mandi in the 30th minute.

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak gave Algeria a free-kick, but Messi received no further sanction and would go on to score a hat-trick.

Several pundits, however, were adamant that Messi had been guilty of serious foul play and, under the letter of the law, should have been shown a red card that would have led to a suspension.

“It should have been a red card in my opinion,” said ESPN pundit and former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.

“Messi knew he did something that could have got him in trouble. I personally feel it is a red card.”

Former Bundesliga referee Patrick Ittrich agreed: “For me, that is a red card. We have various examples from the Bundesliga where that was punished with a red. By the letter of the law, that is a red. If I had seen it like that on the pitch, I would have shown red.”

Algeria’s football federation subsequently filed an official complaint to FIFA over “refereeing injustice” in the game.

Egypt cry foul

Argentina produced one of the all-time great comebacks to keep their World Cup campaign alive in the last 16 against Egypt, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 and reach the quarter-finals.

But Egypt’s players and coaching staff were outraged by several decisions by French referee Francois Letexier that went in Argentina’s favour at key moments.

The biggest post-game talking point surrounded a goal scored by Egypt in the second half which was disallowed after an intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who had spotted a foul on an Argentina player several phases before Egypt’s Mostafa Zico put the ball in the net, at the other end of the pitch.

Several analysts questioned whether VAR had overstepped its reach.

“VAR was looking at something too deeply and looking for something that has happened in the game to try to cancel the Egypt goal,” former FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg said.

Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan also claimed that Egypt should have been awarded a penalty in the build-up to Enzo Fernandez’s late winner for Argentina.

“There seems to have been pressure on the Argentinian side on the referee that has brought about this outcome,” Hassan said.

“Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition?” he told BeIn Sports.

“Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running? In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects.”

FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina rejected the Egyptian allegations as “unfounded”.

Pivotal VAR call

Another pivotal VAR call helped shape the outcome of Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time quarter-final win over Switzerland on in Kansas City on Saturday.

In the 70th minute, referee Joao Pinheiro gave Argentina’s Leandro Paredes a yellow card for a foul on Breel Embolo, shortly after Switzerland had equalised at 1-1 and were dominating the weary world champions.

However, a VAR intervention using FIFA’s new mistaken identity rule determined that Embolo had initiated the foul in an act of simulation, and the call was overturned. Yet because Embolo had already received a yellow card, he was shown a red and sent off — leaving Switzerland down to 10-men and halting their momentum. Argentina would go on to secure victory in extra time.

“We were punished because of a rule that, in my opinion, is completely unacceptable,” Swiss coach Murat Yakin said afterwards.

Many commentators, though, point out that Embolo was rightly punished for a clear dive.

“If you want to argue FIFA is rigging the World Cup for Lionel Messi and Argentina, and some of you are hellbent on doing just that, you’re going to have to do better than this,” wrote USA Today columnist Nancy Armour.

A kind draw?

Critics of Argentina’s run to the semi-finals cite the ranking of their opponents as evidence of favouritism by FIFA.

So far, Argentina has not had to face a team ranked higher than 19th in the world heading into their clash with England on Wednesday. After topping a group that included Algeria, Jordan and Austria, Argentina’s knockout round opponents were Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland.

But this is due in in large part to FIFA’s decision to seed the top four teams in the world in such a way that would keep them apart until the semi-finals.

England have not faced a team ranked in the top 10 so far, while France did have to play seventh-ranked Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Spain have had the hardest route to the semi-finals, needing to beat fifth-ranked Portugal and Belgium (ninth) on their way to the last four.

According to Rescue 1122, the house caved in after torrential rainfall, trapping 14 people beneath the rubble.

Rescue teams from Kohat and Karak launched an operation and successfully pulled all those trapped from the debris.

The deceased were identified as 50-year-old Basmina, 45-year-old Nawab Jana, Farmina, and four-year-old Arham. Rescue officials said women and children were among the worst affected.

The injured were provided first aid at the scene before being shifted to various hospitals for treatment.

Rescue 1122 said four ambulances from Kohat and two from Karak took part in the operation, which was completed after all victims were recovered from the collapsed structure.

The incident comes as monsoon rains continue to batter several parts of Pakistan, triggering flash floods, damaging homes and disrupting daily life.

Earlier on Monday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned that additional water could be released from Tarbela Dam within the next two days due to rising inflows into the Indus River.

District administrations in Swabi and Nowshera were directed to remain on alert, while the public was advised to stay away from riverbanks and avoid swimming, boating and fishing.

Elsewhere, strong winds and heavy rain caused power outages in Taxila, while a roof collapse in Dera Ghazi Khan injured six people, including four women and two children.

Heavy rain also inundated low-lying areas in Kot Addu, and strong winds in Sindh’s Gambat raised concerns about damage to the date palm crop.

In Taxila, strong winds and heavy rain lowered temperatures but caused power outages in several areas.

Heavy rainfall also lashed Dera Ghazi Khan, where the roof of a room collapsed in Aman Mela village in Tehsil Darazinda during a windstorm, injuring four women and two children.

In Haripur, rising inflows from upper districts pushed the water level at Tarbela Dam to 1,499.21 feet, around 97 feet above dead level, according to the dam administration.

Water inflow was recorded at 211,000 cusecs, while outflow stood at 162,400 cusecs.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued an alert warning that additional water could be released from Tarbela Dam within the next two days due to increasing inflows into the Indus River.

The authority instructed the district administrations of Swabi and Nowshera to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures.

The PDMA advised the public to avoid visiting riverbanks and warned against swimming, boating and fishing in rivers. Parents were also urged not to allow children to go near the water.

In Sindh, rain accompanied by strong winds swept through Gambat and surrounding areas, raising concerns over possible damage to the date palm crop.

Heavy rain also followed strong winds in Kot Addu, where low-lying neighbourhoods were submerged and streets and roads in several areas were flooded.

The victim, identified as Dr Akash, had reportedly withdrawn Rs5 million from a nearby bank when he was intercepted by robbers. According to police, the suspects escaped with Rs2.5 million after opening fire.

CCTV footage obtained by Aaj News shows one of the suspects running towards the vehicle and immediately firing at the security guard before opening the car door and snatching a bag filled with cash.

The footage shows the suspect managing to seize only one of the two cash bags, while the second remained in Dr Akash’s possession.

The attacker then opened fire directly at the doctor, triggering panic as pedestrians, including women, fled for safety.

Security guards also returned fire at the fleeing suspects, but the robbers managed to escape.

Dr Akash suffered two bullet wounds and died at the scene, according to his family.

The victim had recently completed his house job at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and had been selected as a government medical officer.

Family members described him as an outstanding student who had topped his university and said his professional career had been cut short before it could begin.

Expressing grief and anger, the victim’s uncle demanded the immediate arrest of the killers and those backing them.

“He topped his university, and today he was killed in broad daylight by robbers,” he said, adding that doctors and lawyers were standing with the family in their demand for justice.

He said the family would continue its sit-in protest and suspend work until the perpetrators were arrested.

“Our family has suffered a great injustice. If there are robbers in rural Sindh and robbers in Karachi too, where should we go? What was our fault?” he asked.

The family announced a protest sit-in at Teen Talwar, placing the doctor’s body at the site while demanding swift action against those responsible.

Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the DIG South.

He directed authorities to conduct a transparent, impartial and comprehensive investigation, determine the motive behind the killing, ensure the immediate arrest of those involved and bring all responsible to justice.

“This morning a shooting occurred in Biddeford. A person was killed. ICE was involved,” Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau wrote on Facebook, adding that state police and the FBI would investigate.

The incident comes after an ICE agent last week shot dead a Mexican man during an operation in Houston, Texas, sparking outrage against the agency chiefly responsible for President Donald Trump’s immigrant crackdown.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not immediately comment on the Maine shooting.

Maine Governor Janet Mills put out a brief statement saying she had been briefed “on the fatal shooting in Biddeford this morning involving Federal law enforcement.”

State authorities were on the scene “working cooperatively” with federal agents to determine the facts of the incident, she added.

One eyewitness, Lucas Scott, told local media that he heard at least four gunshots after seeing several ICE agents surrounding a white sedan.

Images from local media showed a police cordon in place on a residential street, with a crime scene unit vehicle parked next to a red tent.

Anti-ICE protesters were also gathered at the scene and planned a rally later Monday in response to the shooting.

Chellie Pingree, a congresswoman representing Maine, said on Facebook that she was “deeply disturbed and angry.”

“My sympathy to the individual and their family, and to the entire community of Biddeford, and for all of us in Maine, we will be mourning yet another victim,” she said.

Tasked with enforcing Trump’s mass deportation campaign, ICE’s heavily armed agents have faced nationwide criticism for aggressive tactics and for the shooting deaths of two US citizens this year in Minneapolis.

The lawsuit is ‌a serious threat to Paramount CEO David Ellison’s bid to transform his company into a major competitor to Netflix and Disney.

“With this lawsuit, California and our sister states are fighting for free ​and fair markets, not rigged markets. America has no kings in government or ​our economy,” Bonta said in a statement.

If allowed to move forward ⁠with the deal, Paramount would control 27% of the distribution market for films ​that appear on screens across America, 30% of blockbuster film distribution and 27% of ​the market for basic cable channels, the states said.

It will likely take months for a ruling on the states’ claims, causing a delay that could rack up hundreds of millions of dollars in ​costs for Paramount.

The deal has led to an outcry from actors, writers and ​others fearing it will hurt jobs. Theatre owners also opposed the deal, worrying that the combination of ‌the Warner ⁠Bros movie studio with Paramount Pictures would result in fewer films.

Paramount has said the deal will allow it to produce more, not less, after it cuts $6 billion in redundant infrastructure, marketing and corporate jobs. Ellison has vowed that the combined film studios ​would release 30 ​movies a year.

The US ⁠Department of Justice has cleared the deal, saying it poses no competition problems.

Paramount CEO David Ellison’s father, billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry ​Ellison, has cultivated ties with President Donald Trump, and the ​company has ⁠hired former Trump officials.

Paramount has committed to pay around $650 million in fees to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders each quarter if the deal does not close before October. The company ⁠has said ​delays could force it to renegotiate the deal’s ​financing, cause uncertainty for its stock price, or even scuttle the transaction altogether.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open “with or without Iran” and insisted that only Iranian vessels and those doing business with Iran would be affected by the renewed blockade.

“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving,” Trump wrote.

He said all other countries would continue to enjoy “fair and open use” of the strait, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

Trump also announced that the United States would begin charging 20% on all cargo shipped through the Hormuz Strait, saying the proceeds would cover the costs of maintaining security in the region.

“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” he said.

The US president added that work on implementing the new policy would begin immediately but did not provide details on how the cargo charges would be collected or enforced.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy corridor linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. A significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes through the narrow waterway, making any changes to its security arrangements closely watched by global markets.

Blockade to be enforced today

The US ​military will begin enforcing a ‌maritime blockade on Iran on Tuesday, the U.S. Navy-led Joint ​Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) said on ​Monday.

The blockade, covering all of Iran’s ⁠ports, oil terminals and ​coastal areas, will be enforced ​for all vessel traffic — regardless of flag — from 2000 GMT on July ​14, the centre said ​in an advisory.

“Any vessel suspected of ‌entering ⁠or departing the blockaded area without authorisation is subject to interception, diversion, and capture. ​Non-compliant vessels ​may ⁠be legally compelled with force,” the statement said.

The ​centre said neutral transit ​through ⁠the Strait of Hormuz heading to or from non-Iranian ⁠destinations ​will not be ​impeded.

In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry said any foreign national who fails to leave Saudi Arabia before the expiry of their visa will be dealt with under the kingdom’s immigration laws.

The ministry said violators could face a fine of up to 50,000 Saudi riyals, imprisonment for up to six months, followed by deportation from the country.

It stressed that Saudi Arabia is strictly enforcing its residency, labour and border security regulations, adding that violations of these laws will not be tolerated.

The ministry urged all foreign residents and visitors to monitor the validity of their visas, leave the kingdom before their permits expire and comply fully with Saudi laws to avoid legal action and penalties.

It also encouraged the public to report immigration, residency and border-related violations.

Reports can be made by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, while 999 should be used in all other regions of the kingdom.

According to police, the suspect, identified as Khalid, also suffered burn injuries after being caught in the flames during the incident.

The injured woman and the suspect were immediately shifted to Jinnah Hospital, where both are undergoing treatment. Police said their condition is stable and they are out of danger.

Police said the woman is married and the mother of three children, while the suspect and the victim are neighbours.

Initial investigations suggest the attack stemmed from a personal grudge.

Investigators have collected forensic and other evidence from the crime scene and are examining all aspects of the case.

Police said a criminal case will be registered in accordance with the law once they receive a formal complaint from the victim, after which further legal action will be taken.

President Donald Trump and other US officials, such as former President George W. Bush, have long said the ICC should not have the authority to ​investigate and prosecute Americans, particularly members of the military.

Reuters earlier this year found the Trump administration backed sanctions ​against ICC officials in part to head off any future attempts to hold him or ⁠his officials accountable for US military action overseas.

The State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a wide ​range of options is under consideration to target the ICC, including travel bans, visa revocations, increased sanctions against the ​ICC and affiliated organisations, and diplomatic pressure on other nations to withdraw from the ICC, the official said.

The ICC was established in 2002 by the international community to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. It asserts jurisdiction only if a member state is ​unable or unwilling to prosecute atrocities itself. The United States has never been a member of the court.

Trump’s hostility ​toward the court goes back to his first term. It manifested again with a plan to punish ICC officials, an idea hatched in ‌November 2024 ⁠, when Trump was re-elected, and the ICC indicted his ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Last month, three International Criminal Court judges sued Trump and his administration over sanctions imposed on them last year, arguing the measures were unlawful.

The State Department official on Monday said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top US officials are pressuring other countries as ​part of a campaign “to diplomatically ​isolate the International Criminal ⁠Court and ensure it cannot target Americans.”

In March 2020, ICC prosecutors opened an investigation in Afghanistan that included looking into possible crimes by US troops, but since 2021, it ​has deprioritized the role of the US and focused on alleged crimes committed by ​the Afghan government ⁠and Taliban forces.

The official said nations that partner with US law enforcement, host a US military presence, or benefit from the broader US security umbrella “are being called upon to reject the ICC’s purported authority to prosecute American officials and servicemen.”

Nations that ⁠refuse to ​reject the ICC while relying on US assistance are likely to come ​under increased scrutiny, the official said.

“We will watch with interest which nations join ranks with us against this threat to Americans who are willing ​to risk their lives to protect others,” the official said.

The prime minister was accompanied by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and other senior officials.

During the visit, PM Shehbaz and the Pakistani delegation called on Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and expressed their heartfelt condolences on the demise of the Father Emir.

The prime minister paid tribute to Sheikh Hamad’s visionary leadership, statesmanship and lasting contributions to Qatar’s transformation, as well as to regional peace, stability and development.

Recalling the late leader’s longstanding ties with Pakistan, PM Shehbaz praised his warmth, kindness and enduring affection for the country, noting his many memorable visits over the years.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the leadership and people of Qatar during their time of grief and prayed that Allah Almighty grant the departed leader the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus while giving strength to the royal family and the people of Qatar to bear the loss.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim thanked PM Shehbaz, Nawaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and the accompanying delegation for travelling to Doha to offer condolences in person.

He described the gesture as a reflection of the deep-rooted fraternal ties and longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Qatar.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a statement, expressed grief over the demise of the former Qatari emir, remembering him as “a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation.”

To express solidarity on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan with the royal family, Government, and people of Qatar on this sad demise, the prime minister declared July 13 as a day of national mourning in Pakistan, with the national flag flying at half-mast throughout the country.

According to security sources, the Field Marshal received a warm welcome on his arrival. His meetings will focus on matters of mutual interest, including regional security and bilateral defence cooperation.

State-run Pakistan Television and the Associated Press of Pakistan also confirmed the visit and the scheduled meetings.

The visit comes weeks after General Metin Tokel, commander of the Turkish Land Forces, travelled to Pakistan and held talks with Field Marshal Munir.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides discussed the evolving regional security environment and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. During the visit, General Tokel also met Pakistan’s naval and air chiefs.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Turkiye, where discussions with the Turkish leadership centred on expanding economic, trade and strategic cooperation, underscoring the growing partnership between the two countries.

As the US attacks on Iran continued on Monday, Tehran said it would stop complying with a framework agreement to halt the fighting if Washington failed to meet its commitments.

It also responded with attacks of its own targeting Gulf nations, with the powerful Revolutionary Guards announcing new strikes on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Oman.

“There is no doubt that this document is in crisis,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said of the June memorandum of understanding.

“Each time that the other party has failed to meet its obligations, we did not uphold ours,” he added. “We will continue to act in this manner.”

He nonetheless added that Tehran was continuing talks with mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman in an effort to prevent any further escalation.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had completed their latest barrage, which began overnight, on dozens of Iranian targets.

US aircraft, naval vessels and drones hit “dozens of targets at multiple locations with precision munitions to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking international shipping flowing through the Strait of Hormuz”.

Iran’s Mehr news agency reported fresh blasts of unknown origin in the south around midday on Monday, adding that they “appear to be coming from the West Coast of Bandar Abbas”.

‘Futile efforts’

The past week’s hostilities have centred on the critical energy trade route, which Iran’s Guards say is “closed” but which the United States maintains is open to maritime traffic and not controlled by Iran.

Oil prices, which tumbled after the announcement of the June agreement, jumped by up to 4.5 per cent, with the US benchmark WTI climbing to nearly $74 a barrel on fears of hampered supply on global markets.

Mediators have been trying to salvage a diplomatic resolution to the war after President Donald Trump this week declared the April ceasefire over.

Pakistan, a key intermediary in negotiations, expressed “deep concern at escalation in regional tensions”, according to its foreign office.

Iran’s foreign ministry said the US attacks had “caused the return of insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz” and “rendered futile all efforts” at establishing peace in the region.

But analyst Bader Al-Saif said the escalating attacks would merely delay a permanent agreement.

“Both sides want to end the impasse on their own terms, and they are increasingly finding it difficult to do so. Hence the return to and increase in the scale of attacks,” said Al-Saif, an associate fellow at Chatham House.

“That only prolongs what will eventually happen: a negotiated settlement.”

‘Heinous attacks’

Iranian state media reported two deaths in the latest US strikes that it said targeted large areas across the south and west.

One person was killed and four wounded at a water pumping station in the southwestern city of Mahshahr, state news agency IRNA said.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had struck US military targets and bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, state media reported on Monday.

Air raid alerts sounded in Bahrain, while Kuwait’s army said the country’s forces were intercepting “hostile aerial targets” on Monday.

Jordan’s army said it had intercepted four Iranian missiles.

Bahrain’s military accused Iran of committing “heinous attacks with missiles and drones that target civilians”, adding it had shot down a number of Iranian projectiles Monday morning.

The renewed fighting followed an Iranian attack early Sunday on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whose crew was forced to abandon it after it went up in flames.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said after the incident that “the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this region,” according to state news agency IRNA.

US CENTCOM countered on X that the strait was “open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit”.

“We’re going to keep the strait, and we’ll probably run it. ‌We’ll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we’ll call it the guardian angel of the strait. And we should be reimbursed for that,” he said in a phone interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” program.

Control ​of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies, has become ​one of the main battlegrounds of the conflict. Iran’s effective blockade of ⁠the strait has pushed up energy prices and increased concerns about inflation globally.

“We’re going to ​guard it. We’re going to get paid for guarding it - a lot of money,” Trump ​said.

“We’re going to be reimbursed, because the other nations are very wealthy. They’re on our side, and we can’t be expected to do that for nothing,” he said.

After announcing the waterway’s closure on Saturday following what it described as an unauthorised transit, Tehran said on Sunday that passage remained suspended and that permits would be issued once “stability and calm” were restored.

“We had a deal. It was a ‌done ⁠deal, and then they broke it. They always break it. We’ve had 10 deals with these people, and so we’re just going to hit them very hard,” Trump said.

Iran rejects Trump’s remarks

Iran’s military headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s remarks about taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran would not allow any American interference in the management or administration of the strategic waterway.

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the headquarters said the United States would neither be permitted nor granted control over the strait, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

The statement said Washington’s “repeated adventures” in the Strait of Hormuz had seriously endangered regional security, international trade and the movement of oil tankers and commercial vessels.

Iranian military officials warned that any military or logistical cooperation with the United States would be considered an act of war against Iran’s sovereignty and national security, adding that any further escalation could affect the entire region.

Before the war, roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz, making tensions around the waterway particularly significant for global energy markets and international trade.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said no country could accuse Iran of breaking its commitments under the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding” signed with the United States.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Baghaei said Iran had fulfilled all of its obligations under the agreement, while the United States had violated multiple clauses under various pretexts.

He warned that if Washington failed to honour its commitments to end the war, Tehran would no longer consider itself bound to continue implementing the agreement.

Baghaei added that Iran regarded seeking justice for the blood of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and all civilians killed as a fundamental policy.

According to the spokesperson, Tehran would pursue all legal and international channels to highlight the actions of the United States and Israel on the global stage and seek justice.

Baghaei also said Iran was working with Oman to develop a joint mechanism for the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but claimed that US pressure on Muscat was hindering those efforts.

Four-year-old Jamal Shafiq had gone missing in the earthquake, his father, Qari Shafiq-ur-Rehman, said.

The body was recovered from a pile of rubble during the construction of a house, according to the report.

Qari Shafiq-ur-Rehman said the child was identified from his clothes and shoes.

The recovery revived memories of the devastating earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on Oct. 8, 2005.

Additional and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqui heard the interim bail plea of the two accused.

During the hearing, Adnan Ehsan, counsel for Momina Iqbal, did not appear before the court.

The investigating officer told the court that Sameera had been included in the investigation and that her mobile phone had been taken into custody, but said the phone with the SIM card was also required. The officer requested more time to complete the investigation.

Saqib Chadhar appeared before the court along with his wife, Sameera.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered the case on the complaint of actress Momina Iqbal.

The government said it wanted to prevent an Iranian plane from landing in the Yemeni capital, after it failed to convince the Houthi delegation that went to Tehran for the late supreme leader’s funeral to board a Yemenia flight instead.

“The terrorist Houthi militias — backed by the Iranian regime — prevented Yemeni national aircraft from landing at the airport in the capital, Sanaa, while insisting on allowing an Iranian plane to violate Yemeni territory; consequently, the airport runway was targeted,” the Yemeni defence ministry said.

The Houthi’s al-Masirah TV had previously reported that “Saudi aggression targeted the departure and landing runways at the Sanaa international airport”.

Tensions had been rising for days, as the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia earlier this month of attacking an Iranian plane that landed in Sanaa and took off carrying the delegation.

The rebels had threatened at the time to hit Saudi airports and vital assets should Riyadh violate its airspace or attempt to attack it again.

The latest escalation raised the spectre of renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia after years of relative calm.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of “ending the de-escalation phase and bearing full responsibility for the consequences of its aggression. We affirm that this aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished”.

“Anyone found supporting or assisting these groups will now face up to 14 years in prison,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said of a proposed law to be presented to parliament this week.

The banned groups would also include proxies and volunteers of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, and the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), an Iran-linked group which has claimed attacks on Jewish properties in London.

The new legislation gives the British government “proscription-like” powers to designate foreign state proxies deemed a threat to Britain’s national security.

“The move will step up the government’s ability to counter state threats linked to foreign powers, including espionage, foreign interference in our democracy, sabotage and physical attacks,” the Home Office said in a statement.

The new legislation will mean that prosecutors do not need to establish a foreign power connection in cases involving designated groups.

“The United Kingdom has identified activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on UK soil,” Home Office minister Angela Eagle said in a written statement.

The announcement comes after several antisemitic attacks struck the British capital earlier this year, including a spate of arson attacks on synagogues, community ambulances and other Jewish sites.

“The government fast-tracked legislation to bring in new powers after the abhorrent antisemitic attacks in north London,” the Home Office said in a statement.

Last month, 22 countries, including the UK, US and European nations, blamed the IRGC and its foreign operations branch, the Quds Force, for plotting against Iranian dissidents, journalists, and Jewish communities.

The IMCR, also known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyah (HAYI), have claimed multiple attacks, including an arson attack against four ambulances of the Hatzola Jewish charity.

“Iran and Russia are using proxies and thugs to do their dirty work on our shores. I have rapidly designated three groups so those working for them will be tracked down and put behind bars,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.

The IRGC was established following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and operates as an elite military force directly loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It commands its own ground, naval and aerospace forces and oversees the Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republic’s overseas military and intelligence operations.

British authorities have long accused Iran of backing hostile activities on UK soil, including alleged assassination plots, intimidation campaigns and support for proxy groups.

The IRGC had already been sanctioned in its entirety by the UK, but the new designation goes further by criminalising membership and support for the organisation, bringing it under counterterrorism-style measures.

Presiding over a meeting, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted treatment, rehabilitation and financial assistance for the HIV-positive children, while declaring a zero-tolerance policy towards negligence in healthcare.

“The lives of children are sacred. Any lapse in medical protocols that endangers patients is unacceptable and will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law,” the chief minister said.

To support the affected families, Shah announced the establishment of a Rs2 billion Endowment Fund to finance the treatment, welfare, rehabilitation and long-term care of HIV-positive children.

Officials told the meeting that the outbreak first came to light in October 2025 after six children tested positive for HIV.

Subsequent investigations found widespread administrative failures and serious breaches of infection-control protocols in the hospital’s paediatrics department, where all of the initial cases were linked.

The meeting was told that the inquiry found serious shortcomings in the hospital’s infection-control measures, including a lack of standard operating procedures, poor sterilisation practices, and improper disposal of medical waste.

The inquiry also found shortages of disposable medical supplies, inadequate HIV testing facilities, and weak systems for monitoring patients, the meeting was told.

Investigators also found evidence suggesting that single-use syringes and other equipment may have been improperly handled.

Following the outbreak, an Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre was established at the hospital to provide specialised treatment, while HIV prevention protocols were introduced across all SESSI healthcare facilities in Sindh.

More than 300 doctors and paramedics were also screened, resulting in two employees testing positive for HIV.

Authorities said families of affected children are being linked with treatment centres, while renowned paediatric infectious disease specialist Prof Dr Fatima Mir of Aga Khan University Hospital has been engaged to provide specialised medical care for children suffering from HIV-related complications.

The chief minister directed the Labour Department, Health Department and SESSI administration to ensure that every affected child receives free medicines, diagnostic tests, follow-up treatment, counselling and rehabilitation services without interruption.

The meeting was informed that a second inquiry submitted last month fixed responsibility on several officials for administrative and operational failures.

As a result, 37 officers and employees, including doctors, nurses, laboratory staff and hospital administrators, have been suspended and served show-cause notices pending disciplinary proceedings.

Routine HIV screening has also been made mandatory for all outpatient and admitted patients at the hospital, while an isolation ward for HIV-positive children has been established.

A third-party audit of the hospital’s procurement, inventory and infection-control systems is also under way.

It ​said the “Team Gaza Initiative”, ​launched at the Palestine Donor Group meeting ​in Brussels, would ​support ongoing and planned ‌early ⁠recovery projects for the people of Gaza.

Twelve European countries ​and ​Japan ⁠joined the initiative, together with ​the World ​Bank ⁠and the European Investment Bank, the ⁠Commission ​said. ($1 = 0.8747 ​euros)

In the local market, the gold price per tola reached Rs429,736 after a decline of Rs3,800 during the day.

Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs368,429 after it fell by Rs3,258, according to rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

On Saturday, the gold price per tola reached Rs433,536 after a gain of Rs1,100 during the day.

The international rate of gold declined by $38 to reach $4,073 per ounce (with a premium of $20).

Meanwhile, the price of silver also decreased by Rs123 to reach Rs6,339 per tola.

The fire broke out alongside ​a highway near Fontainebleau, home to one of France’s best-known royal palaces, which ​once served as a hunting lodge and autumn residence for past monarchs. ⁠

By midnight, the flames had scorched more than 800 hectares, fanned by hot ​winds.

Just 70 kilometres from Paris, the blaze forced the closure of the A6 highway ​linking Paris with Lyon and the south.

Smaller fires in the area also disrupted high-speed train services.

“The fight continues today,” the French fire service said on X. Local residents have been warned that the Canadair ​planes will have to scoop water from the river Seine, which flows through central ​Paris.

European countries are worried about increasingly frequent heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures.

Most scientists say the fires are ‌driven ⁠by climate change, with large swathes of continental Europe parched.

Wildfires have already ripped through regions of France, Spain, Portugal and Greece, charring thousands of hectares of land.

The death toll from a blaze that swept through Spain’s southeastern Almeria province rose to 13 over the ​weekend, when a 93-year-old British ​woman died of ⁠burns.

Western Europe is gripped by its third prolonged spell of baking temperatures this summer.

A heatwave in late June likely killed thousands of ​people, with countries reporting more than 10,000 excess deaths.

Power supplies ​were disrupted, ⁠schools shut and temperature records broken in France, Spain and Britain.

“To have this kind of excess at this time of year is unusual. It’s really high,” said Lasse Vestergaard, chief ⁠physician at ​Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut, which hosts EuroMOMO, a Europe-wide ​mortality surveillance system.

“It is difficult to explain this high excess mortality by anything but the extreme heat,” Vestergaard ​told Reuters.

Water levels rose to more than two metres on roads in Kuancheng, a county in Hebei, according to a resident’s account that was broadcast by local official media.

Kuancheng is home to around 240,000 people and is located on the banks of the Luan River.

Several cars ​were filmed crashing into each other in Kuancheng as they bobbed up and down on a waterlogged road before being carried away by ​the strength of the current.

The floods came after Typhoon Bavi, the most powerful storm to strike mainland China this year, brought ⁠heavy rain to the eastern coast and violent winds to the area’s densely populated cities, testing the country’s ability to cope with extreme weather.

Authorities ​warned the storm would dump torrential rain across the provinces of Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui, exacerbating flood risks in areas that had already ​been soaked by earlier downpours.

Around 1,800 villagers in Kuancheng were stranded, state broadcaster CCTV reported, while authorities said that relocating and resettling residents was their top priority.

In Liaoning, authorities raised the red alert for flash floods, warning of very high risks.

“During a red alert for heavy rain, all work stoppages, business closures, and gatherings must be ​fully implemented,” Hebei authorities said in a statement on WeChat.

Swimming, paddleboarding

Videos on RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu, showed a person swimming backstroke down a ​road in Shenyang, Liaoning, with the rows of parked cars on the side of the street almost completely submerged by the water.

Another clip on RedNote showed someone standing ‌on a ⁠paddleboard to navigate the flooded streets.

A man was also filmed wake surfing behind a car on a wide road that had been inundated with water in Shenyang, a video on China’s WeChat showed.

In a separate clip, police could be seen pushing a submerged car through the city’s floods.

Many train services in Shenyang were also suspended, China Railway said on Monday, with more than 30 railway sections affected.

Schools have also been closed across many areas, including the northeastern ​province of Jilin.

Some areas in northeastern China ​will experience thunderstorms or hailstorms ⁠of Force 8 or above, CCTV reported, citing the country’s Central Meteorological Observatory.

“In some areas of central and northern Jiangsu, thunderstorm winds of level 10 or above will occur, with maximum winds reaching force 11 or above, and ​tornadoes may occur locally,” it said. Force 11 winds can reach speeds of up to 117 kph.

Bavi, ​covering an area the ⁠size of France, formed in the Pacific Ocean 13 days ago.

Its structure remained largely intact on Monday even after making landfall in eastern China on Saturday night, making it the longest-lasting tropical cyclone in the Asia-Pacific region this year.

Its longevity is largely due to its unusually well-preserved warm core, Chinese meteorologists ⁠say, allowing ​Bavi to retain much of its moisture as it churns north towards the Korean peninsula.

​Intense rainfall is expected when Bavi, currently classified as a tropical storm, slows further and starts to release all the moisture that it has been holding.

Forty-six rivers nationwide are experiencing flooding ​above warning levels, CCTV reported, citing China’s Ministry of Water Resources.

The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon violated ​political funding laws by receiving 14 rounds ⁠of polling from the political broker at no ​cost and later exercising influence over the nomination ​of a former lawmaker to repay him, according to the ruling.

Yoon had denied the charges, saying he had not requested ​the polls or promised anything in return.

The ​decision differed from earlier court rulings involving former first lady ‌Kim ⁠Keon Hee, which had found there was no quid pro quo in connection with the polling services.

Monday’s ruling can be appealed.

Yoon, 65, is involved in ​eight legal ​cases.

He ⁠is currently appealing a life sentence handed down in February after a court ​found him guilty of masterminding an ​insurrection tied ⁠to his short-lived declaration of martial law in 2024.

Other cases include a Supreme Court ruling last ⁠week ​that finalised a seven-year prison sentence ​for obstructing authorities’ attempt to arrest him.

Spain have conceded only one ‌goal in the entire tournament to reach the last four in search of a second World Cup title.

France, winners in 2018 and finalists four years ago, know Spain very well, having lost to them in the ​Euro 2024 last four and also in last year’s Nations League semi-finals.

“You cannot fear ​anyone,” France centre-back Konate told a press conference.

“We will now prepare as best ⁠as possible and hope the result in the end will favour us.”

“Spain are an exceptional ​team, with a lot of individual quality, so we won’t be focusing on just one player ​even though Lamine (Yamal) is a great player,” said Konate, who had a brief substitute appearance in the win over Norway in their final group match.

Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba have been France’s starting centre-backs, as the tournament ​favourites eye their fifth World Cup final.

The French have reached four of the last seven World ​Cup finals.

Should they take part in the July 19 showdown in New York, they will sustain the ‌comparison ⁠with West Germany, arguably the ultimate tournament nation with four finals between 1974 and 1990.

But Konate said the French were not wasting any thoughts on what might be.

“We are staying humble, we won’t fall into that trap,” he said.

They will need to find a way to break down ​this World Cup’s most effective ​backline, as well ⁠as contain as much as possible Lamine’s runs down the wings.

“I would not say ‘fear’ but we are conscious of their quality,” said fellow France ​centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

“They have won all their matches (except a 0-0 draw against ​Cape Verde ⁠in the group), so we respect them. They have high-quality players, but we want to win.”

Top of the list is Spain winger Lamine, who has earned praise from his coach for keeping ⁠opponents’ defenders ​busy as teammates use the spaces created.

“We will defend well, ​the best,” Lacroix said. “Lamine is a very good player, and he has shown he can hurt teams at this World ​Cup. We will do the work that is needed.”

After months of talks, the two nations failed to finalise an interim trade agreement ‌during US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s visit to New Delhi last month, despite expectations from both sides that a limited deal was within reach.

There was no consensus because Washington did not offer assurances on New Delhi’s key demands: a tariff advantage over competitors such as China and no new US levies after the deal, said an Indian government official aware of the talks.

“Our position is clear — we don’t intend to rush into a deal that is not on favourable terms or compromise on red ​lines like ceding ground on agriculture,” the official said.

Washington had hoped for quick trade concessions from a strategic partner as President Donald Trump prepares new tariffs likely to come into effect later ​this month, officials and analysts said, while India’s holdout risks higher levies on its exports and prolonged uncertainty for businesses.

A day after talks with Greer, ⁠Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said the US deal would not be implemented unless an advantage is ensured, indicating New Delhi’s hardened position and lack of urgency despite the risk of higher tariffs.

Like most countries, ​the bulk of goods from India currently face a 10% US tariff.

But the Trump administration is expected to introduce steeper tariffs later this month through probes into excess industrial capacity. India has denied US ​charges of surplus capacity.

Washington has already proposed new tariffs of up to 12.5% on dozens of nations, including India, over allegations that they failed to curb trade in goods made with forced labour.

The US view has been that India needs to earn the preferential treatment on trade provisions it has sought by making its own concessions, a US source aware of the talks said.

The Indian official and the US source did not wish to be named as negotiations are confidential.

The Indian ​trade ministry and the Office of the United States Trade Representative did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington remained engaged with India and still ​expected an agreement, but did not offer a timeline.

The official, however, added India had at times been slow, bureaucratic and difficult in the negotiations, signalling that no quick deal was likely.

Asked about the impasse, White House spokesman Kush Desai ‌said: “The Trump administration ⁠continues to productively engage with Indian officials to finalise a historic trade deal that puts Americans and America First.”

India’s exports tick up, economic risks ease

Rising exports, new trade deals with other countries and blocs and eased economic risks have strengthened India’s hand, trade analysts said.

In April-June, India’s overall goods exports rose about 15% from a year earlier despite disruptions from the war on Iran, buoyed by pricier petroleum shipments, officials said.

Exports to Gulf countries have recovered to pre-war levels, rising to $5.3 billion in May from $2.62 billion in March as traders shifted to alternative shipping routes, while exports to the United States edged up to $17.29 billion during April and May.

India is ​also broadening access to other developed markets, with ​a UK free trade pact set to take effect ⁠this month and an EU agreement expected by early next year.

“Indian negotiators have gained some leverage in the talks, given its strong economy, diversification initiatives with other partners, and its strategic standing in the world,” said Wendy Cutler, senior vice president at the Washington-based Asia Society Policy Institute, and a former US trade ​official.

The interim US-Iran peace deal improved India’s economic outlook by easing oil prices, Goldman Sachs economist Santanu Sengupta said in a report.

The bank has raised ​its 2026 growth forecast for ⁠India to 6.8% and lowered its inflation and current-account deficit estimates, suggesting New Delhi has more economic room to hold out for better terms.

A weaker rupee has also improved exporters’ competitiveness.

Waiting out Washington

India is also calculating that some US trade measures could face legal or political setbacks, another Indian official said.

A group of 22 Democratic state attorneys general have already filed objections to the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs from probes into forced labour.

Trade analysts said legal ⁠uncertainty over ​US tariffs, combined with Modi’s recent state election victories, have helped India resist a rushed deal.

Senior leaders of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata ​Party have argued publicly that trade agreements should protect Indian farmers and small businesses, two politically influential constituencies that New Delhi has long shielded in trade negotiations.

“India realises that delaying - or even abandoning - a rushed deal may be more prudent than locking into ​obligations whose costs could far exceed any temporary tariff relief,” said Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative and a former trade negotiator.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that the Islamabad MoU had entered a “crisis phase”, accusing Washington of repeatedly violating its commitments.

Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran remained committed to the principle of “commitment in exchange for commitment” and insisted that Tehran had never been the first party to breach its obligations.

“We have said from the beginning that it is a matter of ‘commitment in exchange for commitment’. If the other party adheres to its commitments, we will also fulfil our commitments,” Baghaei said.

He accused the US of violating several provisions of the 14-point Islamabad MoU, arguing that Washington had begun breaching the agreement almost immediately after it was signed and had not even allowed the one-month implementation period stipulated under Clause 5 relating to Iran’s obligations in the Strait of Hormuz.

“There is no doubt that this understanding has entered a crisis phase,” Baghaei said.

“No one can accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran of violating agreements. Our obligations and those of the other side are clear and can be documented,” he said.

Baghaei rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran had agreed to measures during talks in Oman before attacking commercial vessels, calling the remarks false.

He said the Muscat discussions had focused solely on implementing Clause 5 of the memorandum and finding a mechanism, in consultation with Oman, to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Baghaei, those efforts failed because of what he described as overt and covert US pressure on Oman.

The spokesperson also reiterated that Iran had not attacked any regional country, saying its recent military operations were directed exclusively at US bases and facilities used to launch attacks against Iran.

He urged neighbouring countries not to allow their territory to be used for military operations against Iran, warning that any location used to attack the country could become a target of Iranian defensive action.

Baghaei further criticised recent statements by European countries on the conflict, accusing them of distorting facts and blindly following Washington’s policies instead of playing a constructive role in easing regional tensions.

The prime minister is accompanied by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.

Upon his arrival at Doha Airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and the Pakistani delegation were received by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani.

According to the schedule, Prime Minister Shehbaz will visit Lusail Palace, where he is due to meet Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

During the meeting, he will convey his heartfelt condolences to the government, the Qatari royal family, and the people of Qatar on the demise of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in a statement, expressed grief over the demise of the former Qatari emir, remembering him as “a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation.”

To express solidarity on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan with the royal family, Government, and people of Qatar on this sad demise, the prime minister declared July 13 as a day of national mourning in Pakistan, with the national flag flying at half-mast throughout the country.