Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a high-level task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms for India's examination system. The panel will submit recommendations aimed at strengthening transparency and efficiency in national exams.

Meanwhile, global tensions continue to rise. An oil tanker reportedly exploded in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a sea mine, while Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed to have downed a Saudi drone. Lebanon accused Israel of obstructing troop deployment in the south, and the UN chief called for the immediate removal of sanctions on Syria. Ukraine and Russia exchanged fresh attacks, Romania summoned Russia's ambassador after shooting down another drone, China witnessed deadly flash floods, and Australia vowed to challenge proposed US tariffs.

PM Modi Announces Exam Reform Task Force | Iran Tanker Blast | Ukraine War | Houthi Attack

The US Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sweeping sanctions on more than 20 companies accused of operating within a vast international network that facilitates the shipment of Iranian crude oil worth billions of dollars to China.
The move is part of the Trump administration&rsquo;s ongoing &ldquo;maximum pressure&rdquo; campaign aimed at curbing Iran&rsquo;s oil revenues and deterring its military and nuclear ambitions.
The sanctioned network is allegedly tied to Iran&rsquo;s Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and its front company, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, which the US says uses complex smuggling tactics involving front companies, fake documentation, and shadow fleet tankers to evade sanctions and funnel money into Iran&rsquo;s defence and missile programs, as well as support for terrorist groups across the region.
<h2 dir="ltr">Oil revenue linked to weapons development</h2>
According to the Treasury&rsquo;s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the sanctioned entities operate in multiple jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and the Seychelles. The network includes companies such as CCIC Singapore PTE Ltd, Huangdao Inspection and Certification Co. Ltd, and Qingdao Linkrich International Shipping Agency Co. Ltd, all of which played roles in masking the Iranian origin of crude shipments and facilitating their delivery to China&rsquo;s independent &ldquo;teapot&rdquo; refineries.
OFAC said revenue from these sales directly funds Iran&rsquo;s development of ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and nuclear proliferation activities, as well as attacks by the Houthi group on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and against US and Israeli interests.
Reuters reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, &ldquo;This action underscores our continued focus on intensifying pressure on every aspect of Iran&rsquo;s oil trade&rdquo;.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We will continue targeting this primary source of revenue so long as the regime supports terrorism and proliferation of deadly weapons,&rdquo; he added.
<h2 dir="ltr">US warns of further measures amid fragile diplomacy</h2>
The sanctions come just days after the conclusion of a fourth round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. While both countries have expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution to the decades-long nuclear standoff, deep disagreements remain over key issues such as uranium enrichment levels.
US President Donald Trump, speaking at a US-Saudi investment conference, offered Iran &ldquo;a new and better path&rdquo; but warned that rejection would be met with even harsher measures, including driving Iranian oil exports &ldquo;to zero&rdquo;.
This latest round of sanctions also targets ships, shadow fleet tankers like BALU and ROC, and financial facilitators involved in laundering proceeds back to the AFGS. US officials have signalled that unless China&rsquo;s state-owned enterprises are brought into the sanctions regime, the measures may have limited long-term impact.
Meanwhile, Beijing has criticised the US for what it calls &ldquo;long-arm jurisdiction&rdquo; that undermines international trade, reaffirming its opposition to unilateral sanctions.

Business & Economy: The move is part of the Trump administration’s maximum pressure campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s oil revenues and deterring its military ambitions

The US Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sweeping sanctions on more than 20 companies accused of operating within a vast international network that facilitates the shipment of Iranian crude oil worth billions of dollars to China. The move is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s oil revenues and deterring its military and nuclear ambitions. The sanctioned network is allegedly tied to Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and its front company, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, which the US says uses complex smuggling tactics involving front companies, fake documentation, and shadow fleet tankers to evade sanctions and funnel money into Iran’s defence and missile programs, as well as support for terrorist groups across the region. Oil revenue linked to weapons development According to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the sanctioned entities operate in multiple jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and the Seychelles. The network includes companies such as CCIC Singapore PTE Ltd, Huangdao Inspection and Certification Co. Ltd, and Qingdao Linkrich International Shipping Agency Co. Ltd, all of which played roles in masking the Iranian origin of crude shipments and facilitating their delivery to China’s independent “teapot” refineries. OFAC said revenue from these sales directly funds Iran’s development of ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and nuclear proliferation activities, as well as attacks by the Houthi group on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and against US and Israeli interests. Reuters reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “This action underscores our continued focus on intensifying pressure on every aspect of Iran’s oil trade”. “We will continue targeting this primary source of revenue so long as the regime supports terrorism and proliferation of deadly weapons,” he added. US warns of further measures amid fragile diplomacy The sanctions come just days after the conclusion of a fourth round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. While both countries have expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution to the decades-long nuclear standoff, deep disagreements remain over key issues such as uranium enrichment levels. US President Donald Trump, speaking at a US-Saudi investment conference, offered Iran “a new and better path” but warned that rejection would be met with even harsher measures, including driving Iranian oil exports “to zero”. This latest round of sanctions also targets ships, shadow fleet tankers like BALU and ROC, and financial facilitators involved in laundering proceeds back to the AFGS. US officials have signalled that unless China’s state-owned enterprises are brought into the sanctions regime, the measures may have limited long-term impact. Meanwhile, Beijing has criticised the US for what it calls “long-arm jurisdiction” that undermines international trade, reaffirming its opposition to unilateral sanctions.

US sanctions over 20 companies for facilitating Iranian oil shipments to China

An Iranian tanker at the centre of a confrontation between Washington and Tehran changed course again on Friday and was heading back to Turkey, shipping data showed.

The Adrian Darya, formerly called Grace 1, was now headed for the southeastern Turkish port of Iskenderun, tracking site Marine Traffic showed.

It is the third time the ship has changed destination in the last ten days. Iskenderun is roughly 200 km north of the Baniyas refinery in Syria - the suspected original destination of the tanker.

Carrying two million barrels of oil, the Adrian Darya was released from detention off Gibraltar in mid-August after a five-week standoff over whether it was carrying Iranian oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions.

The US, which says the tanker is controlled by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards it considers a terrorist group, has warned countries in the region not to assist the vessel.

An Iranian government spokesman was quoted on Monday as saying Iran had sold the oil aboard the tanker and that the vessel's owner, whose identity he did not disclose, would decide its destination.

After its release, it stated that its destination was the Greek port of Kalamata, then Turkey's Mersin. On Thursday, it abruptly changed course, making almost a U-turn away from the Turkish coast.

While west of Cyprus on Friday morning, it did a similar manouevre, doubling back on itself. 
--

An Iranian tanker at the centre of a confrontation between Washington and Tehran changed course again on Friday and was heading back to Turkey, shipping data showed.

An Iranian tanker at the centre of a confrontation between Washington and Tehran changed course again on Friday and was heading back to Turkey, shipping data showed. The Adrian Darya, formerly called Grace 1, was now headed for the southeastern Turkish port of Iskenderun, tracking site Marine Traffic showed. It is the third time the ship has changed destination in the last ten days. Iskenderun is roughly 200 km north of the Baniyas refinery in Syria - the suspected original destination of the tanker. Carrying two million barrels of oil, the Adrian Darya was released from detention off Gibraltar in mid-August after a five-week standoff over whether it was carrying Iranian oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. The US, which says the tanker is controlled by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards it considers a terrorist group, has warned countries in the region not to assist the vessel. An Iranian government spokesman was quoted on Monday as saying Iran had sold the oil aboard the tanker and that the vessel's owner, whose identity he did not disclose, would decide its destination. After its release, it stated that its destination was the Greek port of Kalamata, then Turkey's Mersin. On Thursday, it abruptly changed course, making almost a U-turn away from the Turkish coast. While west of Cyprus on Friday morning, it did a similar manouevre, doubling back on itself. --

Iran tanker switches course again, heads to Turkey: Ship tracking data

Greece will not provide assistance in delivering oil to Syria to an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-request-from-iran-tanker-to-dock-in-greece-minister-244412">Iranian tanker</a> now sailing eastward through the Mediterranean, deputy foreign minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said on Wednesday.

"We have sent a clear message that we would not want to facilitate the trafficking of this oil to Syria in any instance," Varvitsiotis told Greece's ANT1 television.

The Adrian Darya 1, which was released after being detained in Gibraltar, is carrying 2 million barrels of crude. It is now sailing east with trackers giving its stated destination as the Greek port of Kalamata, with an expected arrival date of Augusta 26.

Washington wants the tanker detained because it says the vessel has links to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which it has designated a terrorist organisation. It has urged Greece to refrain from any assistance, while a Cypriot diplomatic source said a similar message had also been conveyed to Cyprus.

Iran's semi-official ILNA news agency said on Wednesday the Adrian Darya 1 was currently leased to an Iranian shipping line.

Varvitsiotis said Greece did not have the port facilities to accommodate such a large ship, but did not discount the possibility that it could drop anchor in Greek territorial waters:

"This is a VLCC, a very large crude carrier ... There is no Greek port that could accommodate a VLCC."

He said the United States had been in touch with Greece on the matter. Asked what would happen if the vessel entered Greek territorial waters and dropped anchor, he said: "In that case we will see what will happen."

Varvitsiotis said the Iranian government had not been in touch with Greek authorities. He said the cargo could be offloaded at a refinery, but "obviously not" in EU territory.

Greece will not provide assistance in delivering oil to Syria to an Iranian tanker now sailing eastward through the Mediterranean, deputy foreign minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said on Wednesday.

Greece will not provide assistance in delivering oil to Syria to an Iranian tanker now sailing eastward through the Mediterranean, deputy foreign minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said on Wednesday. "We have sent a clear message that we would not want to facilitate the trafficking of this oil to Syria in any instance," Varvitsiotis told Greece's ANT1 television. The Adrian Darya 1, which was released after being detained in Gibraltar, is carrying 2 million barrels of crude. It is now sailing east with trackers giving its stated destination as the Greek port of Kalamata, with an expected arrival date of Augusta 26. Washington wants the tanker detained because it says the vessel has links to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which it has designated a terrorist organisation. It has urged Greece to refrain from any assistance, while a Cypriot diplomatic source said a similar message had also been conveyed to Cyprus. Iran's semi-official ILNA news agency said on Wednesday the Adrian Darya 1 was currently leased to an Iranian shipping line. Varvitsiotis said Greece did not have the port facilities to accommodate such a large ship, but did not discount the possibility that it could drop anchor in Greek territorial waters: "This is a VLCC, a very large crude carrier ... There is no Greek port that could accommodate a VLCC." He said the United States had been in touch with Greece on the matter. Asked what would happen if the vessel entered Greek territorial waters and dropped anchor, he said: "In that case we will see what will happen." Varvitsiotis said the Iranian government had not been in touch with Greek authorities. He said the cargo could be offloaded at a refinery, but "obviously not" in EU territory.

Won't facilitate Iranian tanker to deliver oil to Syria: Greece

Iran's supreme leader, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-certainly-continue-to-reduce-nuclear-commitments-khamenei-236406">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, said on Tuesday&nbsp;Iran would respond to Britain's "piracy" over the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar.

Iran has called on Britain to immediately <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-foreign-minister-javad-zarif-warns-us-says-its-playing-with-fire-236255">release the oil tanker</a>, which was seized by British Royal Marines on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

They (the European signatories of the JCPOA) make out of place demands. Then evil Britain, and really their evilness is very clear, commits piracy and steals our ship. It is an act of piracy. But as usual they commit the crime and then try to give their crime a legal appearance and present a reason for what they have done," Iran's supreme leader said.

"It is a simple case: it is piracy. Of course, the Islamic republic will not leave such evil deeds unanswered. There will be a response at the appropriate time and place," Khamenei added. &nbsp;

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt told his Iranian counterpart over the weekend that Britain would facilitate the release of the detained Grace 1 oil tanker if Tehran gave guarantees it would not go to Syria.

Tehran denies the tanker was taking oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions.

Gibraltar police had said earlier on Friday that they had arrested the two second mates from the tanker, a day after the vessel's captain and chief officer were arrested.

In a statement, the police said all four crew members were granted bail with conditions. It did not elaborate, but said the investigation was ongoing and that the Grace 1 continues to be detained.

The British territory's chief minister Gibraltar took the decision to seize an Iranian tanker last week solely because the ship was in breach of European Union sanctions and not on the request of any other country.

The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria. 
&nbsp;

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Tuesday Iran would respond to Britain's "piracy" over the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar. Iran has called on Britain to immediately release the oil tanker, which was seized by British Royal Marines on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Tuesday Iran would respond to Britain's "piracy" over the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar. Iran has called on Britain to immediately release the oil tanker, which was seized by British Royal Marines on suspicion it was breaking European sanctions by taking oil to Syria. They (the European signatories of the JCPOA) make out of place demands. Then evil Britain, and really their evilness is very clear, commits piracy and steals our ship. It is an act of piracy. But as usual they commit the crime and then try to give their crime a legal appearance and present a reason for what they have done," Iran's supreme leader said. "It is a simple case: it is piracy. Of course, the Islamic republic will not leave such evil deeds unanswered. There will be a response at the appropriate time and place," Khamenei added. British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt told his Iranian counterpart over the weekend that Britain would facilitate the release of the detained Grace 1 oil tanker if Tehran gave guarantees it would not go to Syria. Tehran denies the tanker was taking oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. Gibraltar police had said earlier on Friday that they had arrested the two second mates from the tanker, a day after the vessel's captain and chief officer were arrested. In a statement, the police said all four crew members were granted bail with conditions. It did not elaborate, but said the investigation was ongoing and that the Grace 1 continues to be detained. The British territory's chief minister Gibraltar took the decision to seize an Iranian tanker last week solely because the ship was in breach of European Union sanctions and not on the request of any other country. The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria.

Evil Britain commits piracy and steals our ship, there will be a response at an appropriate time, warns Khamenei

Armed Iranian boats attempted to seize a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-initiator-of-insecurity-will-realise-consequences-warns-rouhani-over-oil-tanker-seizure-234591">British tanker in strategic Gulf waters</a> on Wednesday but were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate, CNN reported.

The Iranians ordered the British Heritage oil tanker, which was crossing into the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sanctions-on-iran-will-soon-be-increased-substantially-234771">Strait of Hormuz area</a>, to change course and stop in Tehran's nearby waters, CNN said, citing two American officials.

A US aircraft shot video of the incident, which ended when the HMS Montrose -- which was escorting the tanker -- trained its guns on the boats and successfully warned them to back off, the channel said.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani had warned Britain of "consequences" on Wednesday over the detention of one of the country's oil tankers off the coast of Gibraltar.

Watch Video:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-urges-uk-to-free-captured-oil-tanker-calling-it-maritime-piracy-234145/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

"I point out to the British that you initiated insecurity (on the seas) and you shall grasp the consequences of it later on," Rouhani said in comments to the cabinet broadcast by state TV.

The 330-meter (1,000-foot) Grace 1 tanker, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was halted on Thursday by police and customs officers in Gibraltar -- a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip -- with the aid of a detachment of British Royal Marines.

Iran condemned the detention as an "illegal interception," but Gibraltar officials said that the cargo was believed to be destined for Syria, which is subject to European sanctions.

Iran denied this, saying that the destination "was somewhere else."

The latest reported incident comes after Iran said it had lost patience with perceived inaction by European countries more than a year after US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of a landmark 2015 international agreement curbing Tehran's nuclear program, and started to impose punishing sanctions, raising tensions between the US and Iran. 
&nbsp;

Armed Iranian boats attempted to seize a British tanker in strategic Gulf waters on Wednesday but were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate, CNN reported. The Iranians ordered the British Heritage oil tanker, which was crossing into the Strait of Hormuz area, to change course and stop in Tehran's nearby waters, CNN said, citing two American officials.

Armed Iranian boats attempted to seize a British tanker in strategic Gulf waters on Wednesday but were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate, CNN reported. The Iranians ordered the British Heritage oil tanker, which was crossing into the Strait of Hormuz area, to change course and stop in Tehran's nearby waters, CNN said, citing two American officials. A US aircraft shot video of the incident, which ended when the HMS Montrose -- which was escorting the tanker -- trained its guns on the boats and successfully warned them to back off, the channel said. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani had warned Britain of "consequences" on Wednesday over the detention of one of the country's oil tankers off the coast of Gibraltar. Watch Video: "I point out to the British that you initiated insecurity (on the seas) and you shall grasp the consequences of it later on," Rouhani said in comments to the cabinet broadcast by state TV. The 330-meter (1,000-foot) Grace 1 tanker, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was halted on Thursday by police and customs officers in Gibraltar -- a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip -- with the aid of a detachment of British Royal Marines. Iran condemned the detention as an "illegal interception," but Gibraltar officials said that the cargo was believed to be destined for Syria, which is subject to European sanctions. Iran denied this, saying that the destination "was somewhere else." The latest reported incident comes after Iran said it had lost patience with perceived inaction by European countries more than a year after US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of a landmark 2015 international agreement curbing Tehran's nuclear program, and started to impose punishing sanctions, raising tensions between the US and Iran.

Iran attempted to seize British tanker, fended off by warship HMS Montrose: Report

Iran's defence minister vowed Monday to respond to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-deputy-foreign-minister-says-captured-iranian-tanker-wasnt-headed-to-syria-calls-the-incident-maritime-robbery-233772">Britain detaining an oil tanker off </a>the coast of Gibraltar, local media reported.

The tanker's seizure "will not be tolerated by us and will not go without a response," said Amir Hatami, as quoted by semi-official news agency ISNA and Tasnim news agency.

"This move is against international regulations and a kind of maritime piracy," he added, speaking at a ceremony at Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran.

The 330-metre (1,000-feet) Grace 1, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was halted Thursday by police and customs agencies in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip.

Authorities in Gibraltar said they suspected the tanker was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.

Tehran denies this and claims the vessel was intercepted in international waters.

Gibraltar's Supreme Court ruled Friday that the tanker can be held for 14 more days, the territory's attorney general said.

The vessel's detention came at a sensitive time in Iran-EU ties as the bloc mulls how to respond to Tehran breaching the uranium enrichment limit it agreed to in the troubled 2015 nuclear deal. 
&nbsp;

Iran's defence minister vowed Monday to respond to Britain detaining an oil tanker off the coast of Gibraltar, local media reported. The tanker's seizure "will not be tolerated by us and will not go without a response," said Amir Hatami, as quoted by semi-official news agency ISNA and Tasnim news agency.

Iran's defence minister vowed Monday to respond to Britain detaining an oil tanker off the coast of Gibraltar, local media reported. The tanker's seizure "will not be tolerated by us and will not go without a response," said Amir Hatami, as quoted by semi-official news agency ISNA and Tasnim news agency. "This move is against international regulations and a kind of maritime piracy," he added, speaking at a ceremony at Bandar Abbas port in southern Iran. The 330-metre (1,000-feet) Grace 1, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was halted Thursday by police and customs agencies in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip. Authorities in Gibraltar said they suspected the tanker was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. Tehran denies this and claims the vessel was intercepted in international waters. Gibraltar's Supreme Court ruled Friday that the tanker can be held for 14 more days, the territory's attorney general said. The vessel's detention came at a sensitive time in Iran-EU ties as the bloc mulls how to respond to Tehran breaching the uranium enrichment limit it agreed to in the troubled 2015 nuclear deal.

Britain's oil tanker seizure will not go without a response: Iran defence minister

UK intercepted the super oil tanker at Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a UK territory in Spain's southern tip. Iran says the seizure of grace 1 is illegal. Iran calls the act a 'Form of Piracy'. Watch this video to know more.

UK detains oil tanker headed to Syria

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