South Korea mulls deploying military assets to Strait of Hormuz

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New Friday OTT releases (September 4, 2026): GDN, Dhamaal 4, Jagamae Sangeetham- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

World's fifth-largest economy, British army can't afford to train

South Korea mulls military deployment in Hormuz amid Trump’s pressure

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Women's Asia Cup 2026: India's Smriti Mandhana is now best batter ever in women's cricket

Karnataka is going all out for this year's Nada Habba. Mysuru Dasara 2026 runs October 11 to 21, capped by the grand Jamboo Savari procession under the auspicious Meena Lagna. CM D.K. Shivakumar has invited chief ministers of all South Indian states, cultural troupes from across the country, and even the Army, Navy, and Air Force for tableaux.


Mysuru Dasara 2026: Karnataka gears up for its grandest celebration yet

Kerala has launched a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the failed plan to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team to the state. Investigators flagged ₹22.68 crore in unpaid Integrated GST linked to a private sponsor’s foreign money transfers, alongside additional suspicious fund transfers exceeding ₹206 crore. With no formal contract in place and money routed via foreign channels, authorities are probing multi-crore tax evasion and money laundering.  


The Messi visit scandal: ₹200+ crore fraud under investigation 

South Korea is considering whether to support a U.S.-led effort aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy chokepoints. While Seoul says no final decision has been made, military options reportedly include deploying patrol aircraft and a support vessel. If approved, it would mark South Korea's first major maritime security mission in the region since 2009.


South Korea weighs role in US military effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz

The charge just got a lot more serious. Delhi Police have added an attempt-to-murder charge against Swatantra Bhardwaj, hours after he was detained in Bulandshahr following a chase. The self-styled influencer was caught on a viral podcast boasting he'd "cracked the skull" of Sanjay Kumar, father of student activist Nishu Azad, during a July 20 CJP protest at Jantar Mantar.


CJP protest: Accused Swatantra Bhardwaj arrested in Bulandshahr after fleeing cops 

Bhagalpur's legendary perennial candidate Nagarmal Bajoria, fondly called 'Dhartipakad' - one who clings to earth - died at 96. Born in Lahore, he migrated to Bihar and contested 281 elections since 1969 vs V V Giri, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee & L K Advani - and lost all deposits. Contested LS, Assembly, Municipal, President, Vice-President polls across 278 constituencies; once campaigned on donkeys.


'Dhartipakad' Bajoria dies at 96 after 281 election contests

Japan's first female PM is about to make her first big power move. Sanae Takaichi is expected to reshuffle her Cabinet and the LDP's executive lineup as early as September 16 — her first shake-up since taking office last October, and likely her last chance to reset before facing an internal leadership race in 2027. The timing hinges on her political calendar: a tax reform package, the Okinawa governor's election on September 13, and a UN General Assembly trip.


Japan PM Takaichi expected to undertake cabinet reshuffle in next two weeks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again said that regime change in Iran is achievable. He said the main objective of his foreign policy right now is regime change, and that in his opinion, the goal is achievable in the foreseeable future.&nbsp;PM Netanyahu made this statement at a meeting which was attended by Defence Minister Israel Katz, Israeli Army Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir, and the country's military leadership, days before Israelis celebrate New Year.&nbsp;Netanyahu's office released a statement, stating, "I am convinced of our ability to eliminate this threat once and for all. That is, to overthrow this regime. This is the main goal, but its achievement is already near. It is not impossible. It is well within reach."&nbsp;According to the Israeli Prime Minister, the Islamic Republic is currently "weaker than ever" and "fighting for survival." A video released in Hebrew on X, has Netanyahu saying, quote: "I say to our enemies: Don't mess with us." He also added that Israel has the strength, determination and internal unity.&nbsp;The statement comes ahead of the October elections in Israel, where Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot. On his X handle, Netanyahu posted an AI-generated video with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and the Palestinian and Turkish leaders eagerly waiting for his defeat. The caption says, quote: Israel's enemies want Netanyahu to fall. We must not let them win.&nbsp;Remember, this is not the first time that PM Netanyahu has made such a statement. In May this year, during an interview with CBS Channel, he said that "It's possible to topple the Iranian regime, but it's not guaranteed."&nbsp;Before this, in March this year, the Jerusalem Post had reported that Mossad chief David Barnea told Israel’s cabinet before the war with Iran that regime change in Tehran was possible, but would most likely take around one year, not just days or weeks.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lower-the-rate-or-i-ll-stop-trading-trump-threatens-to-halt-trade-unless-us-fed-cuts-interest-rates-1788532484925">‘Lower the rate or I’ll stop trading’: Trump threatens to halt trade unless US Fed cuts interest rates</a>&nbsp;According to the Jerusalem Post, Barnea presented multiple scenarios to Israeli leaders on the eve of war, with some suggesting a few months, but a one-year timeframe was considered the most likely estimate.&nbsp;In contrast to the initial days of the war, when Trump and Netanyahu had pushed for regime change, the last few months have seen a backtracking on this demand, and more emphasis on denuclearisation of Iran.&nbsp;However, both PM Netanyahu and President Trump have renewed calls for a regime change now, urging Iranians to stand up against their leadership.On September 2, Trump told the press that Iranians aren't protesting because they know they will be shot.&nbsp;The question now is: Are both leaders anticipating something favourable soon, or are these pressure tactics to reach a peace deal sooner, the American way?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed his call for regime change in Iran, saying the Islamic Republic is weaker than ever and that overthrowing its leadership is now “well within reach.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again said that regime change in Iran is achievable. He said the main objective of his foreign policy right now is regime change, and that in his opinion, the goal is achievable in the foreseeable future. PM Netanyahu made this statement at a meeting which was attended by Defence Minister Israel Katz, Israeli Army Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir, and the country's military leadership, days before Israelis celebrate New Year. Netanyahu's office released a statement, stating, "I am convinced of our ability to eliminate this threat once and for all. That is, to overthrow this regime. This is the main goal, but its achievement is already near. It is not impossible. It is well within reach." According to the Israeli Prime Minister, the Islamic Republic is currently "weaker than ever" and "fighting for survival." A video released in Hebrew on X, has Netanyahu saying, quote: "I say to our enemies: Don't mess with us." He also added that Israel has the strength, determination and internal unity. The statement comes ahead of the October elections in Israel, where Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot. On his X handle, Netanyahu posted an AI-generated video with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and the Palestinian and Turkish leaders eagerly waiting for his defeat. The caption says, quote: Israel's enemies want Netanyahu to fall. We must not let them win. Remember, this is not the first time that PM Netanyahu has made such a statement. In May this year, during an interview with CBS Channel, he said that "It's possible to topple the Iranian regime, but it's not guaranteed." Before this, in March this year, the Jerusalem Post had reported that Mossad chief David Barnea told Israel’s cabinet before the war with Iran that regime change in Tehran was possible, but would most likely take around one year, not just days or weeks. Also Read: ‘Lower the rate or I’ll stop trading’: Trump threatens to halt trade unless US Fed cuts interest rates According to the Jerusalem Post, Barnea presented multiple scenarios to Israeli leaders on the eve of war, with some suggesting a few months, but a one-year timeframe was considered the most likely estimate. In contrast to the initial days of the war, when Trump and Netanyahu had pushed for regime change, the last few months have seen a backtracking on this demand, and more emphasis on denuclearisation of Iran. However, both PM Netanyahu and President Trump have renewed calls for a regime change now, urging Iranians to stand up against their leadership. On September 2, Trump told the press that Iranians aren't protesting because they know they will be shot. The question now is: Are both leaders anticipating something favourable soon, or are these pressure tactics to reach a peace deal sooner, the American way?

Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed his call for regime change in Iran, saying the Islamic Republic is weaker than ever and that overthrowing its leadership is now “well within reach.”

Netanyahu says overthrowing Iran’s regime is ‘well within reach’ | RTP

"Sindh will always remain one." That was CM Murad Ali Shah's message as the Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution rejecting any move to divide the province or alter its boundaries. The MQM-P and JI walked out in protest, saying their proposals on administrative devolution were left out of the text. Shah pushed back hard on talk of new provinces, invoking Sindh's role in Pakistan's founding and past resolutions from 1948 to 2019.


Pakistan: Sindh assembly adopts resolution rejecting division of province

For decades, regime change in Iran was the ambition nobody in Washington or Jerusalem quite wanted to admit openly.Not anymore.Donald Trump is again asking when Iranians will “rise up and fight.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared toppling Iran's government a “central mission” and says the objective is “within reach.” US Senator Ted Cruz has gone further, advocating that Iranian opponents of the government be armed to overthrow it themselves.The message is unmistakable: the Islamic Republic is wounded. Now, its enemies want Iranians to finish the job.But revolutions cannot simply be commissioned from abroad.Iran has already suffered something approaching political and military decapitation. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is gone. Senior commanders and political figures have been eliminated. The old hierarchy has been ripped apart.And yet, the Islamic Republic remains.That may be the greatest problem confronting the regime-change strategy.Destroying leaders is not the same as destroying institutions.Iran's political system was constructed precisely to withstand enormous pressure. The Revolutionary Guards, clerical establishment, security apparatus and overlapping centres of authority mean that when one powerful figure disappears, another can occupy the space.And the replacements are not necessarily moderates.Iran has elevated veteran hardliner Mohsen Rezaei to a crucial national-security position. Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian may favour negotiations and de-escalation, but Iran's presidency has never possessed absolute authority over the country's military-security establishment.That leaves Washington confronting an uncomfortable possibility: it can decapitate Iran's leadership without liberalising Iran.There is no denying the fury inside the country.Economic pressure is enormous. Oil exports have collapsed under the American blockade. Inflation and economic isolation are squeezing ordinary Iranians. Years of demonstrations have already exposed deep frustration with clerical rule.But asking Iranians to revolt from Washington is very different from Iranians deciding independently to revolt.Every call from an American president or Israeli prime minister risks handing Tehran another propaganda weapon: the argument that dissent is not an indigenous demand for freedom but a foreign-backed attempt to dismantle the Iranian state.And there is another question Washington cannot escape.What happens the morning after?Ted Cruz says the objective should be regime collapse and has argued for giving opponents of Tehran the weapons to achieve it.But collapse is not a political settlement.Iraq should have permanently buried the assumption that removing a hated government automatically produces a stable successor. Saddam Hussein's government was destroyed rapidly. The political, sectarian and security consequences outlived the invasion itself.Iran — with more than 90 million people, powerful security institutions, ethnic and regional fault lines and an enormous strategic footprint — would present an even more consequential challenge.None of this absolves Tehran.The Islamic Republic has brutally suppressed opposition. Iranians have repeatedly risked imprisonment and death demanding political and social change. Their grievances are real, and their right to determine their government belongs to them.That is precisely why their future cannot simply become another strategic objective written in Washington or Jerusalem.Trump can call for an uprising.Netanyahu can declare regime change within reach.Cruz can advocate putting weapons into Iranian hands.But none of them can manufacture the legitimacy required to govern Iran the day after the Islamic Republic falls.<h2>The Verdict</h2>America and Israel may have succeeded in changing many of the men who rule Iran.They have not yet changed the system that rules Iran.And perhaps that is the lesson being forgotten amid all the talk of imminent victory.You can bomb a command centre. You can eliminate a commander. You can even decapitate a government.But a revolution belongs to the people who must live with what replaces it.And if Washington and Jerusalem confuse regime destruction with nation-building, Iran could become another brutal reminder that in the Middle East, removing the old order is sometimes the beginning of the war — not the end of it.

The Islamic Republic has brutally suppressed opposition. Iranians have repeatedly risked imprisonment and death demanding political and social change. Their grievances are real, and their right to determine their government belongs to them.

For decades, regime change in Iran was the ambition nobody in Washington or Jerusalem quite wanted to admit openly. Not anymore. Donald Trump is again asking when Iranians will “rise up and fight.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared toppling Iran's government a “central mission” and says the objective is “within reach.” US Senator Ted Cruz has gone further, advocating that Iranian opponents of the government be armed to overthrow it themselves. The message is unmistakable: the Islamic Republic is wounded. Now, its enemies want Iranians to finish the job. But revolutions cannot simply be commissioned from abroad. Iran has already suffered something approaching political and military decapitation. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is gone. Senior commanders and political figures have been eliminated. The old hierarchy has been ripped apart. And yet, the Islamic Republic remains. That may be the greatest problem confronting the regime-change strategy. Destroying leaders is not the same as destroying institutions. Iran's political system was constructed precisely to withstand enormous pressure. The Revolutionary Guards, clerical establishment, security apparatus and overlapping centres of authority mean that when one powerful figure disappears, another can occupy the space. And the replacements are not necessarily moderates. Iran has elevated veteran hardliner Mohsen Rezaei to a crucial national-security position. Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian may favour negotiations and de-escalation, but Iran's presidency has never possessed absolute authority over the country's military-security establishment. That leaves Washington confronting an uncomfortable possibility: it can decapitate Iran's leadership without liberalising Iran. There is no denying the fury inside the country. Economic pressure is enormous. Oil exports have collapsed under the American blockade. Inflation and economic isolation are squeezing ordinary Iranians. Years of demonstrations have already exposed deep frustration with clerical rule. But asking Iranians to revolt from Washington is very different from Iranians deciding independently to revolt. Every call from an American president or Israeli prime minister risks handing Tehran another propaganda weapon: the argument that dissent is not an indigenous demand for freedom but a foreign-backed attempt to dismantle the Iranian state. And there is another question Washington cannot escape. What happens the morning after? Ted Cruz says the objective should be regime collapse and has argued for giving opponents of Tehran the weapons to achieve it. But collapse is not a political settlement. Iraq should have permanently buried the assumption that removing a hated government automatically produces a stable successor. Saddam Hussein's government was destroyed rapidly. The political, sectarian and security consequences outlived the invasion itself. Iran — with more than 90 million people, powerful security institutions, ethnic and regional fault lines and an enormous strategic footprint — would present an even more consequential challenge. None of this absolves Tehran. The Islamic Republic has brutally suppressed opposition. Iranians have repeatedly risked imprisonment and death demanding political and social change. Their grievances are real, and their right to determine their government belongs to them. That is precisely why their future cannot simply become another strategic objective written in Washington or Jerusalem. Trump can call for an uprising. Netanyahu can declare regime change within reach. Cruz can advocate putting weapons into Iranian hands. But none of them can manufacture the legitimacy required to govern Iran the day after the Islamic Republic falls. The Verdict America and Israel may have succeeded in changing many of the men who rule Iran. They have not yet changed the system that rules Iran. And perhaps that is the lesson being forgotten amid all the talk of imminent victory. You can bomb a command centre. You can eliminate a commander. You can even decapitate a government. But a revolution belongs to the people who must live with what replaces it. And if Washington and Jerusalem confuse regime destruction with nation-building, Iran could become another brutal reminder that in the Middle East, removing the old order is sometimes the beginning of the war — not the end of it.

The Islamic Republic has brutally suppressed opposition. Iranians have repeatedly risked imprisonment and death demanding political and social change. Their grievances are real, and their right to determine their government belongs to them.

The Verdict | Kill the leaders, save the regime? Why Iran refuses to fall

Pakistan wants the world to see it as a peacemaker in the US-Iran war. Well, you cannot present yourself as a peacemaker while continuing to kill civilians in Afghanistan. Even though Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif have portrayed themselves as the peacemakers to US President Donald trump, their own backyard has skeletons of civilians, including children and women, buried. The right to defend yourself does not give any government a free pass to put civilian lives at risk.&nbsp;Pakistan's credibility has always been questionable. If Islamabad is calling for restraint and dialogue in the Iran conflict, then those same principles must apply to Afghanistan. Peace in Iran, but military pressure on Afghanistan: Munir's actions continue to contradict his own position. If Pakistan genuinely wants to play the role of mediator in West Asia, it should first demonstrate that it can apply the same standards to its own neighbourhood.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-wouldn-t-call-it-a-war-says-jd-vance-on-ongoing-conflict-with-iran-1788467837247">‘I wouldn’t call it a war,’ says JD Vance on ongoing conflict with Iran</a>&nbsp;Pakistan does not have to choose between defending its people and respecting Afghan civilians. A responsible state is expected to do both. You see, the real test of diplomacy is not what you say when the world's cameras are watching. It is what you do when dealing with your own neighbours. Credibility is earned through consistent action, not dramatic and diplomatic speeches.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/pakistan-s-internal-war-ttp-attacks-expose-growing-security-crisis-1788500084641/embed">https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/pakistan-s-internal-war-ttp-attacks-expose-growing-security-crisis-1788500084641/embed</a>&nbsp;You cannot demand restraint from others while using force against your innocents. If Pakistan wants to be taken seriously as a regional peacemaker, it must first show that peace is a principle, not a position it adopts only when it suits its interests.&nbsp;Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Pakistan’s bid to mediate in the Iran conflict faces scrutiny as Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif call for peace while civilian deaths in Afghanistan continue

Pakistan wants the world to see it as a peacemaker in the US-Iran war. Well, you cannot present yourself as a peacemaker while continuing to kill civilians in Afghanistan. Even though Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif have portrayed themselves as the peacemakers to US President Donald trump, their own backyard has skeletons of civilians, including children and women, buried. The right to defend yourself does not give any government a free pass to put civilian lives at risk. Pakistan's credibility has always been questionable. If Islamabad is calling for restraint and dialogue in the Iran conflict, then those same principles must apply to Afghanistan. Peace in Iran, but military pressure on Afghanistan: Munir's actions continue to contradict his own position. If Pakistan genuinely wants to play the role of mediator in West Asia, it should first demonstrate that it can apply the same standards to its own neighbourhood. Also Read: ‘I wouldn’t call it a war,’ says JD Vance on ongoing conflict with Iran Pakistan does not have to choose between defending its people and respecting Afghan civilians. A responsible state is expected to do both. You see, the real test of diplomacy is not what you say when the world's cameras are watching. It is what you do when dealing with your own neighbours. Credibility is earned through consistent action, not dramatic and diplomatic speeches. https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/pakistan-s-internal-war-ttp-attacks-expose-growing-security-crisis-1788500084641/embed You cannot demand restraint from others while using force against your innocents. If Pakistan wants to be taken seriously as a regional peacemaker, it must first show that peace is a principle, not a position it adopts only when it suits its interests. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Pakistan seeks a peacemaker role in the Iran conflict, but military action and civilian deaths in Afghanistan raise questions over Islamabad’s credibility

The Verdict: Peace for Iran, pressure on Afghanistan: Pakistan’s contradictory diplomacy

Brazil's presidential election is shaping up to be one of the closest contests in recent history. A new Quaest poll shows President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leading rival Flavio Bolsonaro by just one percentage point, 42% to 41%. The razor-thin margin suggests the race remains wide open as both camps intensify campaigning. With Brazil deeply divided over the economy, governance and social policies, every vote could prove decisive in determining the country's political future.


Brazil's presidential race goes down to the wire as Lula's lead shrinks

Fresh clashes have broken out in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between Pakistani security forces and fighters from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), highlighting the continuing security challenges in the region. The confrontation comes amid persistent tensions and militant activity along Pakistan’s western frontier. 


Pakistan's internal war: TTP attacks expose growing security crisis 

Signs of strain are emerging within Tamil Nadu's ruling alliance as disagreements surface over key political issues including delimitation, the Katchatheevu dispute and leadership questions for the 2029 general election. The developments have fuelled speculation about the future cohesion of the alliance and its electoral strategy.

Disagreements within Tamil Nadu's ruling alliance on delimitation, 2029 PM face & Katchatheevu

A former Aam Aadmi Party leader has launched a sharp attack on the party, alleging irregularities linked to the deletion of a name from a draft voter list. The dispute has triggered a fresh political row, with accusations of internal favouritism and questions over the handling of electoral records.


Ex-AAP leader lashes out at his former party for name 'deletion' in draft voter list 

Three years after ethnic violence first erupted in Manipur, the state government has informed the assembly that 306 people have been killed while 49 remain missing. A 24-hour shutdown has disrupted normal life across Manipur’s valley districts, with markets, schools and public transport largely shut. Protesters are demanding that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) be updated before the Census.


Manipur government tells assembly 306 people have been killed, 49 remain missing 

U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to actively campaign across the country ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The president's involvement is expected to energise Republican voters while helping candidates in key battleground states. The midterms will be seen as a major test of Trump's political influence and the administration's performance.


US President Donald Trump vows to hit the campaign trail in midterm elections

For decades, the Strait of Hormuz has been geography’s trump card in the global energy market. Now, the Trump administration is betting that pipelines, ports and political realignment can dramatically weaken that advantage.The idea is audacious: instead of repeatedly fighting to keep Hormuz open, build enough alternative routes that closing it no longer holds the world economy hostage.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has put an extraordinary timeline on that ambition. He says that within two years, the Strait could become “irrelevant”, predicting that 50 to 70 percent of energy currently moving through it could eventually travel through underground pipelines instead. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has similarly argued that Iran’s use of Hormuz as a strategic chokepoint has strengthened the case for permanently restructuring regional energy routes.And pieces of that alternative map already exist.Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, or Petroline, carries crude from Abqaiq across the kingdom to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Its capacity has risen to as much as seven million barrels per day, and Riyadh is considering adding another one to two million barrels of capacity. The UAE, meanwhile, has its own route carrying crude from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, outside Hormuz, and is working to expand that capacity.But perhaps the most geopolitically significant piece of the puzzle runs through Iraq and Syria.Washington is backing plans for new or revived pipeline infrastructure capable of carrying Iraqi crude westwards towards Syria’s Mediterranean coast. A proposed Basra-to-Baniyas corridor could eventually transport around two million barrels per day, giving Iraqi oil a route to global markets without entering Hormuz. Syria, once economically isolated, is consequently pitching itself as a new bridge between Gulf energy producers and the Mediterranean.The strategy would amount to a dramatic rewiring of the Middle East’s energy architecture.Before the Iran war, roughly 15 million barrels of Persian Gulf oil passed through Hormuz every day. Projects now being developed or discussed could provide another 7.3 million barrels per day of bypass capacity by the end of 2028. Analysts estimate that could eventually allow around 60 percent of the Gulf's pre-war oil exports to avoid Hormuz when necessary.Yet making Hormuz less important is very different from making it obsolete.Pipelines cost billions, cross multiple borders and require years of construction. They also create fixed targets vulnerable to missiles, drones and sabotage. Saudi Arabia's Petroline itself was attacked by Houthi drones in 2019. And moving Saudi crude to Yanbu merely introduces another potential chokepoint for Asian-bound cargoes: Bab el-Mandeb, where Houthi attacks have already demonstrated the vulnerability of Red Sea shipping.Then there is LNG.Pipelines carrying crude cannot simply solve Qatar's dependence on maritime LNG exports. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of global LNG trade passed through Hormuz, making natural gas one of the biggest obstacles to any claim that the strait can truly become irrelevant.And therein lies the contradiction in Washington's messaging.President Donald Trump only this week floated renaming the waterway the “Trump Strait”, while declaring it under American control. Yet his own administration is simultaneously championing a future in which the same strait matters dramatically less.One message celebrates controlling Hormuz. The other seeks to escape it.The more realistic objective, therefore, may not be to kill the Strait of Hormuz but to kill its monopoly.Saudi Petroline, Fujairah, Baniyas and potentially new corridors through Turkey and Jordan could give Gulf producers something they have historically lacked: options. That would dilute Tehran's ability to turn geography into economic leverage and fundamentally alter the strategic balance of the Gulf.But there is no risk-free route out of the Middle East.Bypassing Hormuz could simply move the danger — from Iranian waters to vulnerable pipelines, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, and from one geopolitical chokepoint to another.Washington may be trying to redraw the world's energy map.Geography, however, has not surrendered yet.

The Trump administration wants to reduce global dependence on the Strait of Hormuz through pipelines and alternative energy routes. Can the strategy work

For decades, the Strait of Hormuz has been geography’s trump card in the global energy market. Now, the Trump administration is betting that pipelines, ports and political realignment can dramatically weaken that advantage. The idea is audacious: instead of repeatedly fighting to keep Hormuz open, build enough alternative routes that closing it no longer holds the world economy hostage. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has put an extraordinary timeline on that ambition. He says that within two years, the Strait could become “irrelevant”, predicting that 50 to 70 percent of energy currently moving through it could eventually travel through underground pipelines instead. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has similarly argued that Iran’s use of Hormuz as a strategic chokepoint has strengthened the case for permanently restructuring regional energy routes. And pieces of that alternative map already exist. Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, or Petroline, carries crude from Abqaiq across the kingdom to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Its capacity has risen to as much as seven million barrels per day, and Riyadh is considering adding another one to two million barrels of capacity. The UAE, meanwhile, has its own route carrying crude from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, outside Hormuz, and is working to expand that capacity. But perhaps the most geopolitically significant piece of the puzzle runs through Iraq and Syria. Washington is backing plans for new or revived pipeline infrastructure capable of carrying Iraqi crude westwards towards Syria’s Mediterranean coast. A proposed Basra-to-Baniyas corridor could eventually transport around two million barrels per day, giving Iraqi oil a route to global markets without entering Hormuz. Syria, once economically isolated, is consequently pitching itself as a new bridge between Gulf energy producers and the Mediterranean. The strategy would amount to a dramatic rewiring of the Middle East’s energy architecture. Before the Iran war, roughly 15 million barrels of Persian Gulf oil passed through Hormuz every day. Projects now being developed or discussed could provide another 7.3 million barrels per day of bypass capacity by the end of 2028. Analysts estimate that could eventually allow around 60 percent of the Gulf's pre-war oil exports to avoid Hormuz when necessary. Yet making Hormuz less important is very different from making it obsolete. Pipelines cost billions, cross multiple borders and require years of construction. They also create fixed targets vulnerable to missiles, drones and sabotage. Saudi Arabia's Petroline itself was attacked by Houthi drones in 2019. And moving Saudi crude to Yanbu merely introduces another potential chokepoint for Asian-bound cargoes: Bab el-Mandeb, where Houthi attacks have already demonstrated the vulnerability of Red Sea shipping. Then there is LNG. Pipelines carrying crude cannot simply solve Qatar's dependence on maritime LNG exports. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of global LNG trade passed through Hormuz, making natural gas one of the biggest obstacles to any claim that the strait can truly become irrelevant. And therein lies the contradiction in Washington's messaging. President Donald Trump only this week floated renaming the waterway the “Trump Strait”, while declaring it under American control. Yet his own administration is simultaneously championing a future in which the same strait matters dramatically less. One message celebrates controlling Hormuz. The other seeks to escape it. The more realistic objective, therefore, may not be to kill the Strait of Hormuz but to kill its monopoly. Saudi Petroline, Fujairah, Baniyas and potentially new corridors through Turkey and Jordan could give Gulf producers something they have historically lacked: options. That would dilute Tehran's ability to turn geography into economic leverage and fundamentally alter the strategic balance of the Gulf. But there is no risk-free route out of the Middle East. Bypassing Hormuz could simply move the danger — from Iranian waters to vulnerable pipelines, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, and from one geopolitical chokepoint to another. Washington may be trying to redraw the world's energy map. Geography, however, has not surrendered yet.

The Trump administration wants to reduce global dependence on the Strait of Hormuz through pipelines and alternative energy routes. Can the strategy work

Race To Power | Trump’s Hormuz gambit: Can America make the world’s most important oil route obsolete?

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is set to outline a 100-day governing agenda aimed at reviving support for his party amid declining popularity ratings. The announcement comes as Farage seeks to reassure supporters and present Reform UK as a credible alternative to Britain's traditional political parties ahead of future elections.


Nigel Farage to give 100-day agenda if elected to power despite sliding popularity ratings

A fierce political battle has erupted in Uttarakhand over an alleged "shuddhikaran" (purification) ritual conducted at a venue in Haldwani after a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress leaders have termed the act discriminatory and linked it to caste prejudice, while the BJP has rejected the allegations and accused the opposition of politicizing the issue.


BJP and Congress engage in political slugfest over alleged 'purification' ritual

The Trump administration is reportedly examining long-term strategies to reduce America's strategic dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil chokepoints. The move comes amid recurring tensions in the Gulf and concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies. Alternatives could include new pipeline networks, expanded export infrastructure and stronger partnerships with regional allies.


US is looking for ways to completely bypass the Strait of Hormuz

New rules in North Korea are giving leader Kim Jong-Un greater control over the country’s ruling party leadership, potentially strengthening his grip over the political system. The changes could reshape how key party positions are managed and further consolidate power around the North Korean leader. 

New rules give North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un greater control over party leadership

Is Putin REALLY isolated?

Western sanctions and diplomatic pressure have failed to cut Russia off from the wider world.

But with Europe tightening the screws, Britain supplying long-range missiles and NATO on alert, how much room does Putin really have?

And where does India stand between Washington, Moscow and Beijing?

The Verdict.

Putin may be isolated, but SCO showed Russia is not cut off 

Political slugfest erupts over alleged 'purification' ritual in Haldwani 

Srinagar witnessed a heated political confrontation as the BJP and the National Conference staged rival protests against each other. BJP workers gathered at the iconic Ghanta Ghar, accusing the Jammu and Kashmir government of "misrule" and demanding accountability. In response, the National Conference organized counter-protests, including demonstrations outside the BJP's Jawaharnagar office.


BJP and National Conference stage rival protests in Jammu & Kashmir's Srinagar

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Egypt comes at a time of heightened tensions across West Asia. Beijing is increasingly presenting itself as a stabilising force capable of engaging all sides in regional disputes while expanding economic and strategic partnerships. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, infrastructure, connectivity, energy cooperation and regional security. The visit also highlights China's growing diplomatic ambitions as it seeks a larger role in shaping developments across the Middle East and North Africa.


Xi Jinping positioning China as a stabilising force amid tensions in West Asia

When the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran six months ago, US President Donald Trump delivered a speech as the conflict unfolded.&nbsp;Trump posted an eight-minute video in which he gave several justifications for the decision to launch the strikes. Towards the end of the speech, he also urged Iranians to topple their country's regime.His exact words in the overlapping hours of February 28 and March 1 were:&nbsp;"Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand…when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations."&nbsp;For almost six weeks, the war front remained active. An Iranian school came under attack in a double-tap strike, killing schoolchildren. Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family were also killed in a strike on his compound. Several members of Iran's top leadership were eliminated.&nbsp;However, Iran's ruling establishment did not collapse. The American administration then quickly changed its tone and said regime change was never the goal.&nbsp;Iran also retaliated with a barrage of strikes on American assets and troops across West Asia.&nbsp;The normal passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz came to a halt. The critical waterway remains the biggest point of contention between the US and Iran over control of the strategic passage.Over the past two weeks, Washington shifted its focus towards economic pressure on Iran by imposing fresh sanctions and threatening to further weaken the country.&nbsp;Iranian leaders dismissed the threats and maintained their defiant stance towards the US.Military escalation has now begun again. The US launched strikes on Larak Island earlier this week, prompting Iran to retaliate.&nbsp;The attacks intensified over the past 24 hours, with US strikes hitting multiple locations along Iran's southern coast.&nbsp;Iranian media reported explosions in other coastal areas, including Konarak, Bandar Abbas, Jask and Asaluyeh, as well as Qeshm Island.&nbsp;Iranian authorities said at least 18 people had been killed across the country in the latest strikes. The US strike on Kuhestak has emerged as a major flashpoint for Iran.&nbsp;Iranian officials said a house in Kuhestak was hit while a wedding celebration was underway.Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said at least four people were killed and more than 68 others, including women and children, were wounded.&nbsp;Footage released by the Iranian Red Crescent showed a damaged building with blown-out windows and walls. Debris was scattered across the ground.&nbsp;Locals have criticised the latest American attacks. Iran then responded with attacks that went beyond US targets inside the country.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-not-retreating-from-gaza-netanyahu-rules-out-troop-pullback-cites-terror-threat-1788365264654">'We are not retreating from Gaza': Netanyahu rules out troop pullback, cites terror threat</a>&nbsp;The Iranian military launched attacks on US bases and assets in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq's Erbil region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its forces carried out a combined missile and drone attack on US facilities in Erbil.&nbsp;Tehran also claimed that it hit Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, which hosts US forces. The Bahrain Defence Force accused Iran of continuing what it called a "systematic hostile approach."&nbsp;The IRGC said it launched a "heavy" ballistic missile attack on Prince Hassan Air Base and a US Marine base in Jordan.&nbsp;In Kuwait, Iran claimed it targeted the headquarters and residence of the American commander at Ali Al Salem Air Base.&nbsp;Within hours of Iran's retaliation, Trump issued another statement on social media. Two parts of his remarks stood out.&nbsp;Trump said he was not trying to force Iran to the negotiating table and did not care whether Iran signed the agreement.&nbsp;He also brought the regime change issue back into focus. Trump asked, 'When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?'&nbsp;As US tactics continue to shift and the Trump administration's goals remain unclear, a question raised six months ago when the war began has returned.&nbsp;What is Donald Trump's endgame? And if regime change is the goal, why does the US keep changing its stance on it?

Six months after Trump first urged Iranians to overthrow their government, renewed US-Iran strikes and his latest regime change remarks have again raised questions over Washington's ultimate endgame in the conflict.

When the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran six months ago, US President Donald Trump delivered a speech as the conflict unfolded. Trump posted an eight-minute video in which he gave several justifications for the decision to launch the strikes. Towards the end of the speech, he also urged Iranians to topple their country's regime. His exact words in the overlapping hours of February 28 and March 1 were: "Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand…when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations." For almost six weeks, the war front remained active. An Iranian school came under attack in a double-tap strike, killing schoolchildren. Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family were also killed in a strike on his compound. Several members of Iran's top leadership were eliminated. However, Iran's ruling establishment did not collapse. The American administration then quickly changed its tone and said regime change was never the goal. Iran also retaliated with a barrage of strikes on American assets and troops across West Asia. The normal passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz came to a halt. The critical waterway remains the biggest point of contention between the US and Iran over control of the strategic passage. Over the past two weeks, Washington shifted its focus towards economic pressure on Iran by imposing fresh sanctions and threatening to further weaken the country. Iranian leaders dismissed the threats and maintained their defiant stance towards the US. Military escalation has now begun again. The US launched strikes on Larak Island earlier this week, prompting Iran to retaliate. The attacks intensified over the past 24 hours, with US strikes hitting multiple locations along Iran's southern coast. Iranian media reported explosions in other coastal areas, including Konarak, Bandar Abbas, Jask and Asaluyeh, as well as Qeshm Island. Iranian authorities said at least 18 people had been killed across the country in the latest strikes. The US strike on Kuhestak has emerged as a major flashpoint for Iran. Iranian officials said a house in Kuhestak was hit while a wedding celebration was underway. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said at least four people were killed and more than 68 others, including women and children, were wounded. Footage released by the Iranian Red Crescent showed a damaged building with blown-out windows and walls. Debris was scattered across the ground. Locals have criticised the latest American attacks. Iran then responded with attacks that went beyond US targets inside the country. Also Read: 'We are not retreating from Gaza': Netanyahu rules out troop pullback, cites terror threat The Iranian military launched attacks on US bases and assets in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq's Erbil region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its forces carried out a combined missile and drone attack on US facilities in Erbil. Tehran also claimed that it hit Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, which hosts US forces. The Bahrain Defence Force accused Iran of continuing what it called a "systematic hostile approach." The IRGC said it launched a "heavy" ballistic missile attack on Prince Hassan Air Base and a US Marine base in Jordan. In Kuwait, Iran claimed it targeted the headquarters and residence of the American commander at Ali Al Salem Air Base. Within hours of Iran's retaliation, Trump issued another statement on social media. Two parts of his remarks stood out. Trump said he was not trying to force Iran to the negotiating table and did not care whether Iran signed the agreement. He also brought the regime change issue back into focus. Trump asked, 'When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?' As US tactics continue to shift and the Trump administration's goals remain unclear, a question raised six months ago when the war began has returned. What is Donald Trump's endgame? And if regime change is the goal, why does the US keep changing its stance on it?