Afghan Drones Target Islamabad – Interceptions Reported, Airport Flights Suspended

Afghan Drones Target Islamabad

Pakistan Downs Drones Over Islamabad Amid Escalating Pakistan–Afghanistan Tensions

Islamabad: Pakistani authorities reported drone-related incidents over the capital Islamabad on Friday as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continued to escalate.

According to initial reports, two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were detected flying near the Faizabad interchange, a major junction connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The drones were reportedly shot down by Pakistan Air Force and army air defence systems shortly after being detected. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Reports of Explosions and Drone Activity

Witnesses and local reports suggested that drones or explosions were heard in several areas around the capital, including I-8, I-9, Shamsabad, Hamza Camp near Faizabad, and parts of the Margalla Hills.

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show fighter jets scrambling, aerial interceptions, and blast impacts, which reportedly shattered windows in some nearby buildings. However, many of these clips remain unverified.

Temporary Airspace Closure

Authorities briefly closed Islamabad’s airspace following the incident. Flights at Islamabad International Airport were temporarily suspended before operations reportedly resumed later.

Reports also indicated that markets in some areas closed amid panic, while residents gathered outside their homes after hearing loud explosions.

Possible Link to Pakistan–Afghanistan Conflict

Some Afghan-linked sources claimed the drones were launched by Afghan Taliban forces as retaliation for recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, including operations reportedly carried out in Kabul and Kandahar earlier this week.

However, Pakistani officials described the incident primarily as intercepted aerial threats, emphasising that air defence systems successfully neutralised the drones.

So far, no official confirmation of major damage or casualties in Islamabad has been issued by Pakistani authorities.

Rising Regional Tensions

The incident comes amid a series of tit-for-tat attacks along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, with both sides accusing each other of supporting militant groups.

Security analysts say the latest drone incidents highlight the growing use of unmanned aerial systems in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns about potential escalation and the vulnerability of sensitive areas.

Officials have urged the public to rely on verified information, as many videos and claims circulating online have not yet been independently confirmed.

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Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Safe and Sound’, Says Iranian President’s Son Amid Israel–US Strikes

Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Safe and Sound

Tehran: Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, has confirmed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “safe and sound.” His statement came after reports claimed that Khamenei had been injured during the ongoing strikes by the United States and Israel, according to Al Jazeera.

In a message posted on the messaging platform Telegram, Yousef Pezeshkian said he contacted people close to Mojtaba Khamenei after hearing rumours about his injury. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“I heard news about Mr Mojtaba being injured. I asked friends who had contact. They said, thank God, he is healthy and there is no problem,” he wrote.

Earlier, The New York Times reported that Mojtaba Khamenei may have been injured during the first day of Israel’s military operation on February 28. The report cited three Iranian sources who claimed that senior officials informed them about the injury, adding that Khamenei had avoided public appearances due to security concerns.

Meanwhile, the West Asia conflict entered its 12th day as tensions continued to rise in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a fire onboard. The crew reportedly evacuated the ship and requested emergency assistance.

Iran has earlier warned that it could block the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

Following these developments, US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran, urging it not to place mines in the strategic waterway.

“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed immediately,” Trump said in a statement. He warned that if such mines were not removed, Iran would face severe military consequences.

Trump also said the United States would use advanced missile technology to destroy any vessel attempting to mine the Strait of Hormuz.

At the United Nations in New York, Iran’s Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani accused the United States and Israel of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran.

“They are deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure across my country,” Iravani said, adding that Iran had suffered significant civilian casualties during the ongoing attacks.

According to the Iranian envoy, more than 1,300 civilians have been killed, and nearly 9,669 civilian sites have been damaged or destroyed. These include 7,943 residential homes, 1,617 commercial centres, 32 medical facilities, 65 schools, and several energy supply facilities.

Iravani also criticised the United Nations Security Council for remaining silent on the issue and urged the international community to intervene.

“Today it is Iran. Tomorrow it could be any other sovereign state. The international community must act now to stop this bloody war against the Iranian people,” he said.

As the conflict enters Day 12, both sides continue to harden their positions, while the fighting increasingly affects civilian lives, global oil supplies, and regional stability.

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Iran Rejects Trump’s Timeline, Says Tehran Will Decide End of War With US and Israel

Iran Rejects Trump’s Timeline

Tehran: Iran has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that the military conflict with Iran will end soon, stating that Tehran alone will decide when the war ends.

In a sharp statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Washington cannot determine the timeline of the conflict and that the future of the region will be shaped by Iran’s military strategy.

“It is we who will determine the end of the war,” the IRGC said. “The equations and future status of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces, and American forces will not end the war.” Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The IRGC spokesperson accused the US president of trying to mislead global public opinion by making what Iran described as exaggerated claims about military success.

According to the statement, Trump’s remarks about safe passage for ships in the region were false, claiming that US warships and fighter jets had moved more than 1,000 kilometres away from Iranian positions to avoid potential attacks.

The statement also referred to reports that missiles were fired at the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, adding that American forces increased their distance afterward.

Iran further dismissed claims that its missile stockpile had been weakened during the conflict. The IRGC said that Iran’s weapons are now stronger than before, with some warheads weighing more than one ton.

Amid the escalating tensions, the IRGC warned that it would not allow the export of oil from the region to hostile countries, a move that could significantly affect global energy supplies.

Earlier, Donald Trump had described the war against Iran as a “short-term excursion”, saying the US aimed to remove what he called a major threat in the region.

Trump also warned that if Iran disrupts oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States would respond with much stronger military action.

“If Iran stops the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit twenty times harder than they have been hit so far,” Trump wrote on social media.

The latest escalation comes shortly after Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly selected as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The conflict has also pushed global oil prices to their highest levels since 2022, raising concerns about the impact on the world economy.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly spoke with Trump by phone on Monday and suggested possible ideas for a political and diplomatic solution after discussions with regional leaders and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron said that France and its allies are preparing a defensive mission to reopen and secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil supply passes.

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Trump Says US Military Operation in Iran Will End ‘Very Soon’, Calls Strikes a Success

trump

Florida: US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the military operation in Iran would end “very soon”, though he did not provide a specific timeline.

Speaking during a press conference in Florida, Trump said the operation had been highly effective and claimed that Iran’s leadership and military capabilities had been severely weakened.

When asked about his earlier remark describing the conflict as an “excursion”, Trump said the campaign had already achieved major objectives. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“Very soon. Look, everything they have is gone including their leadership. In fact, two levels of leadership are gone, and even more than that,” Trump said. “Most people have never even heard about the leaders they are talking about. So it’s obviously been very powerful and very effective.”

Trump also claimed that the United States acted to stop what he described as Iran’s attempts to expand its influence in the region and threaten Israel.

“They were going to take over the Middle East and try to destroy Israel. So we stopped it with good timing. We’re proud to be involved in this and it will end soon,” he said. Trump warned that if hostilities resume, Iran could face even stronger military action.

The US President further stated that Iran’s military capabilities were largely destroyed during the first two days of “Operation Epic Fury.”

“They have no Navy, Air Force, anti-aircraft equipment. It’s all been blown up. They have no radar, telecommunications or leadership. It’s all gone,” Trump said, describing the operation as a “tremendous success.”

When asked about Mojtaba Khamenei, who has reportedly been appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Trump said he was disappointed with the decision.

“I was disappointed because we think it will lead to more of the same problems for the country,” he said.

The 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly designated as Iran’s leader by the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which confirmed his appointment as the third leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The leadership transition comes amid heightened tensions in the region following a military campaign that reportedly resulted in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In response to the attacks, Tehran launched counter-strikes targeting American military bases in several Arab countries and Israeli assets across the region, further escalating tensions in the Middle East.

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Mojtaba Khamenei Elected Iran’s Supreme Leader After Assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Mojtaba Khamenei

In a major political development during the 2026 Iran war, Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Wikipedia)

The announcement was made on March 8–9, 2026, after an emergency meeting of the 88-member clerical body responsible for selecting Iran’s top leader. Mojtaba Khamenei becomes the third Supreme Leader of Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (Wikipedia)

His election came just days after Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike in Tehran on February 28, which triggered a major leadership crisis in the Islamic Republic. (Wikipedia)


Rapid Succession After Khamenei’s Death

The death of the long-time leader created a sudden power vacuum in Iran’s political and religious system. Under the constitution, the Assembly of Experts must appoint a new Supreme Leader when the position becomes vacant. (Wikipedia)

Reports say the clerical body met in an emergency session and quickly reached a decision to ensure stability during the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Analysts say the swift appointment was aimed at preventing political uncertainty while Iran faces airstrikes, military exchanges, and regional tensions.


Who Is Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba Khamenei, born September 8, 1969, in Mashhad, is the second son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Key facts about him:

  • A 56-year-old Shiite cleric
  • Considered a hardline figure within Iran’s conservative establishment
  • Known for close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
  • Rarely appeared publicly and held no formal elected office
  • Was placed under US sanctions in 2019

For many years, he was believed to hold significant influence behind the scenes within his father’s office and Iran’s security institutions.


First Father-to-Son Leadership in Iran

Mojtaba’s appointment is historic because it marks the first time the Supreme Leadership has passed from father to son in the Islamic Republic.

Some analysts say the decision reflects the strong influence of conservative institutions and the IRGC, which reportedly supports Mojtaba’s leadership.

However, critics argue that such a succession resembles hereditary rule, something the Iranian revolution originally opposed.


Global Reactions and Regional Impact

The leadership change comes at a time of intense conflict in the Middle East.

  • Iranian state institutions and military forces quickly pledged loyalty to Mojtaba Khamenei. (Wikipedia)
  • The move has drawn criticism from Western leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who warned the new leader may face international pressure. (Wikipedia)
  • Regional tensions have increased, with missile attacks and military strikes continuing across the region. (The Guardian)

Energy markets have also reacted strongly, with global oil prices rising due to concerns about disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. (The Guardian)


What Happens Next?

Mojtaba Khamenei now takes power at one of the most dangerous moments in Iran’s modern history.

Observers say his leadership will likely focus on:

  • Maintaining regime stability during wartime
  • Strengthening ties with Iran’s military and security institutions
  • Continuing Iran’s confrontational stance toward Western powers

Whether he can consolidate authority and guide the country through the ongoing conflict remains uncertain, but his appointment signals continuity of Iran’s hardline political direction.


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Military Projectile Hits Residential Compound in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj, Two Dead and 12 Injured

Military Projectile Hits Residential Compound

Riyadh: A military projectile struck a residential site belonging to a maintenance and cleaning company in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, leaving two people dead and 12 others injured, according to the Saudi Civil Defense.

As reported by the Saudi Gazette, a Civil Defense spokesperson said the projectile hit a residential compound, causing significant material damage to the site. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Authorities confirmed that the two people who died were expatriates from India and Bangladesh. The injured included 12 residents of Bangladeshi nationality.

Emergency response teams quickly reached the scene and carried out the necessary rescue and safety procedures following the incident.

The Civil Defense spokesperson strongly condemned attempts to target civilian facilities, stating that such actions represent a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

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Iran’s Representative in India Says Tehran Will Defend Independence After US–Israel Attacks, Sees Strong Future with India

Iran’s Representative in India Says Tehran Will Defend Independence After US–Israel Attacks, Sees Strong Future with India

Iran’s Supreme Leader late Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s representative in India, Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi, has stated that the nation remains resolute in its defence of its independence and dignity following attacks by the United States and the “Zionist regime.”

Addressing the escalating regional tensions, Elahi noted that Tehran has been forced into a defensive posture against what he termed “unjust” aggression. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“No one wanted this situation and these circumstances, but we are forced to have this situation. Our situation is not good, our condition is not good. We were attacked by the United States and the Zionist regime unjustly, and we have to defend ourselves. We sacrifice for our land, we sacrifice for our dignity, we sacrifice for our morality, we sacrifice for our independence,” he said.

In a conversation with ANI, the representative shifted focus to the future of the region, asserting that the current crisis has led Iran’s neighbours to realise that external powers cannot provide a permanent security guarantee.

“Actually, I’m sure that the future will be better for Iran, and our neighbours understood that no one can give them a guarantee and that they can solve their problems and their issues within themselves. They never need any foreigners to come to this regime and protect them,” Elahi remarked.

He further commented on the diminishing influence of foreign military presences, suggesting that regional independence is on the rise.

“They understood that even the United States, although it established a lot of bases in their countries and got billions of dollars from our neighbours, cannot give them a guarantee and cannot do anything for them. They realised that, and we got the message from them that they will be more independent than before,” he added.

Contextualising the impact of the ongoing conflict on bilateral trade, particularly regarding oil imports and exports between Tehran and New Delhi, Elahi emphasised that the friendship between the two nations is rooted in a shared history that predates modern geopolitical friction.
“Actually, the relationship and friendship between Iran and India is beyond this time. Our relationship started 3,000 years ago, and our people connected, Indian people, by culture, by communication with them, by civilisation, philosophy and spiritual matters,” the representative stated.

Looking past the immediate disruptions caused by clashes and attacks, Elahi maintained that the civilisational bond between India and Iran would ensure the continuity of their partnership once the current circumstances subside.

“So, this relationship will continue, I’m sure. Now we are in certain circumstances, and I’m sure that it will finish, and again all nations will come together and continue their relationship. They will come successfully,” he said.

The remarks come amidst a highly volatile security situation in the region, where direct military exchanges and strikes on strategic assets have disrupted traditional trade routes and energy corridors. As regional players navigate the fallout of these hostilities, the emphasis remains on whether diplomatic engagement and historical ties can mitigate the risks of a broader, prolonged conflict. (ANI)

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Iran Warns of Retaliation on US Bases After Deadly School Strike Kills Over 160 Children in Minab

school children

Iran’s Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi strongly condemned the United States on Saturday following a deadly strike in southern Iran that reportedly killed more than 160 children and injured around 100 others. The attack targeted a girls’ primary school in Minab, located in Hormozgan province, triggering global outrage and raising fresh tensions in the Middle East.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi accused the United States of launching attacks from the territory of Arab countries and targeting innocent civilians. He warned that Iran’s response would inevitably be directed at US military bases and institutions. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“Iran and the Arab brothers have lived side by side for centuries in a spirit of affection, friendship, and mutual respect,” Araghchi wrote. “The American aggressors launch from the lands of our Arab friends to target children and the innocent. As for Iran’s response, it will inevitably be directed at the bases of the United States and its institutions.”

Deadly Strike on Minab Girls’ Primary School

The controversy centres around a strike that hit Shajare Tayyiba Elementary School in Minab on February 28, killing over 160 people, most of them children. According to reports, another 100 people were injured in the incident.

A detailed investigation by CNN suggested that the United States was likely responsible for the strike. The report analysed satellite imagery, geolocated videos, statements from US officials, and expert assessments of munitions, which indicated that the school was hit at roughly the same time as an American attack on a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval base.

Experts believe the school might have been struck accidentally during the military operation.

Trevor Jenzen-Jones, a munitions expert cited in the report, said the incident was likely a targeting failure.

“It’s probably a targeting failure. Somewhere in the target cycle, an intelligence failure meant the target set wasn’t updated, or a decision later resulted in the wrong target being hit,” he explained.

US Yet to Confirm Responsibility

Despite growing evidence, US officials have neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the strike.

When asked for comment, the US Defense Department referred inquiries to US Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM stated that it would be inappropriate to comment because the incident is currently under investigation.

Previously, CENTCOM acknowledged that it was aware of reports about civilian casualties resulting from ongoing military operations and said the matter was being examined.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed that an investigation had been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the strike.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that preliminary findings from US military investigators suggest American forces were likely responsible for the attack on the school.

US and Israel Strikes Intensify Regional Crisis

The Minab tragedy comes amid escalating tensions in the region following joint US-Israel airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Those attacks reportedly resulted in the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior Iranian figures.

The strikes marked one of the most dramatic escalations in the long-running confrontation between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first 100 hours of the conflict saw Israel primarily targeting northern Iran, while the United States focused its operations in the southern regions, including Hormozgan.

Iran Launches Retaliatory Attacks

In response to the assassination of its leadership and ongoing airstrikes, Iran launched multiple waves of drones and missiles targeting strategic locations across the region, including areas in several Arab countries believed to host US military facilities.

Tehran has vowed further retaliation, warning that American bases across the region remain legitimate targets.

Russia Also Drawn Into the Controversy

The conflict has also drawn international political reactions. On Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the rapidly escalating crisis.

Meanwhile, US Congressman Joe Wilson accused Russia of providing intelligence support to Iran.

In a post on X, Wilson alleged:
“War criminal Putin is killing Americans by providing Iran intel. Russia must be held accountable for mass chaos and death.”

Growing Global Concern

As investigations continue into the Minab school strike, global concern is rising over the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict. The deaths of large numbers of children have intensified calls for accountability, transparency, and restraint from all parties involved.

With Iran openly warning of retaliation against US bases and tensions continuing to rise across the Middle East, analysts fear the crisis could expand into a wider regional conflict if diplomatic efforts fail.

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Rumours Claim IRGC Quds Force Chief Esmail Qaani Executed as Mossad Spy

ismail qaani

Rumours circulating on social media claim that Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, has been executed by Iranian authorities on suspicion of spying for Israel’s Mossad. However, no credible evidence or official confirmation supports these claims as of March 6, 2026.

Viral Claims Spread on Social Media

Several posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook have claimed that Qaani was secretly executed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards after being accused of working for Israeli intelligence. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

According to these rumours, some people inside Iran’s leadership became suspicious because Qaani repeatedly survived Israeli and US assassination attempts, while many senior Iranian leaders were killed in recent strikes.

Some viral posts even describe him as the “impossible to kill commander”, claiming he left a location shortly before an attack that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Many of these posts mention Arab-language media sources, but none of them provide clear or verified confirmation.

No Official Confirmation from Iran

So far, Iranian state media, including official outlets, have not reported any arrest, execution, or investigation involving Esmail Qaani.

There have also been no statements from the IRGC, the Iranian judiciary, or the Quds Force confirming such allegations.

Several international media outlets have mentioned the rumours but have described them as unverified and speculative.

Similar Rumours in the Past

This is not the first time Qaani has been the subject of such rumours. In recent years, he has been falsely reported dead or detained multiple times following Israeli strikes in places like Tehran and Beirut.

In some cases, he later appeared publicly or Iranian media denied the claims.

Rising Tensions Fuel Misinformation

The rumours are spreading at a time of extreme tension in West Asia, especially after the US–Israel airstrikes that reportedly killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders.

The situation has created political uncertainty inside Iran, including discussions about leadership succession and national security concerns.

Experts say such unstable conditions often lead to misinformation and conspiracy theories spreading online.

No Verified Evidence So Far

At present, there is no confirmed evidence that Esmail Qaani has been executed or even detained.

Until any official announcement comes from Iranian authorities or reliable international sources, the claims remain unverified social media rumours.

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