Iran, Pakistan: ‘Progress in the talks in Tehran’. Ship hit off the coast of Oman

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, has called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of the more than 90 seafarers being held hostage following the recent acts of piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

“Navigational difficulties are on the rise due to the recent increase in incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Aden. With the latest hijacking, a sixth ship is now in the hands of pirates and armed robbers in waters that are becoming far too dangerous for seafarers,” said Dominguez, adding in a statement that “over 90 innocent seafarers are currently being held captive, their lives under constant uncertainty and threat, often with limited access to adequate food, drinking water, medical care and other essential services”.

‘Economic D-Day’ – the sanctions war that the United States intends to unleash to ‘isolate Iran through unprecedented measures’ – has rapidly become – as was evident again yesterday in statements from the US administration – a threat to countries that do business with the Tehran regime, buy Iranian oil and ultimately prop up the Ayatollahs’ economy. First and foremost is China, which has been the main buyer of Iranian oil for years. But also India and Turkey. And then there are Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan.

Scott Bessent, during a press conference in Washington, announced ‘the immediate launch of Operation Economic Outcast’, a new series of secondary sanctions, forming part of a broad ‘economic offensive to marginalise Iran and sever Tehran’s financial ties across the globe’: “Our aim,” the Treasury Secretary reiterated, “is to sever every economic lifeline supporting this tyrannical regime, until Tehran is completely isolated.”

The Pakistani Minister of the Interior, Mohsin Navqi, reported “significant progress” in the talks he held in Tehran alongside the Chief of the Army, Field Marshal Asim Munir.

“Field Marshal Asim Munir and I had a very positive and productive meeting with the Iranian President – he wrote on X – our discussion focused on the conflict between Iran and the United States, tensions in the Middle East and future prospects, as well as the steps required by both sides to reinstate the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which would lead to a comprehensive resolution of the conflict.”