Tag Archives: us

Is US Military Preparing For Weeks-Long Iran Operations?

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The US military is preparing contingency plans for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump authorises military action, according to two US officials cited by Reuters in its report. Such preparations point to a scenario that would go far beyond the limited, one-off strikes seen previously between the two countries.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning, said the scope of military options under consideration underscores the high stakes surrounding ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to hold talks with Iranian representatives in Geneva on Tuesday, with Oman acting as a mediator. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said over the weekend that President Trump still prefers a diplomatic solution, but acknowledged that negotiations with Tehran remain challenging.

Even as diplomacy continues, Washington has significantly bolstered its military presence in the region. US officials confirmed that the Pentagon is deploying an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, along with fighter aircraft, guided-missile destroyers and thousands of troops. The buildup has heightened concerns about a possible escalation into open conflict.

Trump for Regime Change

Speaking after a military event at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump openly raised the prospect of political change in Iran, suggesting that a change in government “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.” He declined to name potential successors, saying only that “there are people.”

Trump has previously expressed reluctance to deploy large numbers of ground troops to Iran, remarking last year that “the last thing you want to do is ground forces.” The assets now being positioned in the region point primarily to air and naval strike options, although Trump has shown a willingness in other theatres, including Venezuela, to rely on special operations forces.

Asked about preparations for a potentially prolonged military campaign, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the president has “all options on the table” when it comes to Iran. She added that Trump consults widely but ultimately decides based on US national security interests. The Pentagon declined to comment.

The United States has carried out strikes on Iranian targets before, including last year’s “Midnight Hammer” operation, in which stealth bombers flew directly from the US to hit Iranian nuclear facilities. That operation was limited in scope, and Iran’s response was confined to a restrained retaliatory strike on a US base in Qatar.

This time, officials said, the planning is more complex. In a sustained campaign, US forces could target Iranian state and security institutions in addition to nuclear infrastructure. While specific targets were not disclosed, analysts warn that such operations would significantly increase risks to US personnel.

Iran’s Missile Arsenal

Iran possesses a substantial missile arsenal, and US officials expect Tehran to respond forcefully to any sustained attack. One of the officials said Washington fully anticipates Iranian retaliation, potentially triggering cycles of strikes and counter-strikes over an extended period.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned that any attack on Iranian territory could prompt strikes on US military bases across the Middle East. The US maintains installations in several countries in the region, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Turkey.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Iran with Trump during talks in Washington last week, stressing that any agreement with Tehran must address Israel’s security concerns. Iran has indicated it is willing to discuss limits on its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, but has ruled out negotiations on its missile capabilities.

Meanwhile, Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi argued that US military intervention could hasten political change in Iran. In an interview with Reuters, the US-based son of Iran’s last shah said there were signs the current leadership was weakening and that an attack could accelerate its collapse.

As diplomatic efforts continue, US military preparations suggest Washington is keeping open the option of a prolonged confrontation, one that could reshape regional security dynamics and carry far-reaching consequences for the Middle East.

iPhone 14 launched; Pricing and Availability

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The newly launched iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available in deep purple, silver, gold, and space black in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities.

Customers in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, the UAE, the UK, the US, and 30 other countries and regions will be able to pre-order iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max beginning at 5 a.m. PDT on Friday, September 9, with availability beginning Friday, September 16.

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available in Malaysia, Turkey, and 20 other countries and regions beginning Friday, September 23.

iphone 14 pro

Emergency SOS via satellite will be available starting in the US and Canada in November, and the service will be included for free for two years with the activation of iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Customers can get iPhone 14 Pro for $41.62 (US) a month for 24 months or $999 (US) before trade-in, and iPhone 14 Pro Max for $45.79 (US) a month for 24 months or $1,099 (US) before trade-in from apple.com/store, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple Store locations. iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are also available through Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers.

Customers can save up to $1,000 (US) on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max with trade-in directly from apple.com/store or at an Apple Store when they activate it with select US carriers. Terms apply. For eligibility requirements and more details, see apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/carrier-offers.

Customers in the US can get ready for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max pre-orders until 10 p.m. PDT on Thursday, September 8, by visiting apple.com/store or using the Apple Store app. They can choose to pay monthly or in full, add a trade-in credit toward their new product, or upgrade through the iPhone Upgrade Program.

iOS 16 will be available as a free software update on Monday, September 12.

Customers who purchase iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will receive three months of Apple Arcade with a new subscription.

Leather Wallet with MagSafe and iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max Leather Cases will be available in five new colors: midnight, forest green, ink, umber, and orange.

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max Clear Case and Silicone Cases will be available in midnight, storm blue, red, chalk pink, lilac, elderberry, succulent, and sunglow.

Pakistan raises accidental missile issue at UN; China, US support direct talks

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Despite India’s clarification, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi chose to complain to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on what he said was the “blatant violation of Pakistans airspace by the ‘accidental’ firing of a missile by India on March 9”, reports said.

India’s Defence Ministry had given clarification that in the course of routine maintenance on March 9, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile that landed inside the territory of Pakistan.

However, Pakistan said “multiple shortcomings and technical lapses of a serious nature in India’s management of strategic weapons” was “irresponsible conduct” and needed to be addressed by the international community, including the UN Security Council. Islamabad also insisted on a joint probe of the incident.

Meanwhile, the US and China have urged India and Pakistan to hold direct talks for reducing tensions as both are nuclear-armed nations. “We continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on issues of concern,” a US State Department official said on Monday, though Washington said it sees no wrong intention behind the mishap.

Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said, “We called on relevant countries to have dialogue and communication as soon as possible and launch a thorough investigation into this incident,” spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing.

 

After tariffs on imports, Trump Admn eyes call centres in India, Philippines, Mexico

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With China as main target, the Trump Administration sought to extract $60 billion in new tariffs. Next, turning its attention on call centres in  India, Mexico and the Philippines, a US bill introduced in Senate this week seeks to stifle offshore centres.

The bill, introduced by Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown, wants to create a public list of companies which outsource call centre jobs and deny them federal contracts. It further wants to empower customers to get the call from offshore centres transferred to a local call centre in the US.

Essentially, the call centre employees in India or the Philippines have to reveal their location and upon request transfer the call to a local service agent. “Jobs at call centres are some of the most vulnerable to offshoring. Too many companies have packed up their call centers in Ohio and across the country, and moved to India or Mexico,” said Brown, a Senator from Ohio.

Ohio has experienced shut down of several manufacturing units owing to US trade and tax policy that favoured them to shut down operations, avail tax credit and ship production to Mexico or China, he said defending the bill introduced in the Congress.

A study by the Communications Workers of America has showed that besides India and the Philippines, several US companies have recently opened call centers even in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China and Mexico.

An estimate by the Indian National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) shows that Indian’s revenues from the offshore Business Process Management (BPM) amount to $28 billion annually. If the bill gets through, it will make a huge dent in India’s burgeoning employment situation in call centres and BPMs.

 

President Trump, PM Modi Joint Press Statement Reveals Little (Videos)

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The joint press statement from US President Donald Trump and the visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi elicited too little despite high expectations, especially on deep difference both nations have on several issues.

Trump in his typical speech pointed out that during his campaign, he had pledged that if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House. “Not many people know it, but both American and the Indian constitutions begin with the same three very beautiful words: We the people,” and yes, democractic nations came together.

Appreciating PM Modi, he said, “In just two weeks, you will begin to implement the largest tax overhaul in your country’s history — we’re doing that also, by the way — creating great new opportunities for your citizens. You have a big vision for improving infrastructure, and you are fighting government corruption, which is always a grave threat to democracy.”

He sought more jobs to be created in the US and asked India to remove trade barriers to encourage the export of U.S. goods into their markets, and help US reduce the trade deficit, which means more concessions from India on American trading companies.

Trump was pleased with India’s decision on Indian Airlines’ recent order of 100 new American planes, one of the largest orders of its kind, which Trump said “will support thousands and thousands of American jobs.”

Then he pondered the energy sector and said, “We’re also looking forward to exporting more American energy to India as your economy grows, including major long-term contracts to purchase American natural gas, which are right now being negotiated, and we will sign them. Trying to get the price up a little bit.”

He thanked PM Modi fro inviting his daugher Ivanka to lead the U.S. delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India this fall and said, “I believe she has accepted.”

Finally, on security partnership, he shared India’s views on terrorism and vowed to destroy terrorist organizations and the radical ideology that drives them. “We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism.”

On military preparedness, the progress is visible as the US administration has already cleared the $2 billion Drones deal. “Reflecting the partnership, the US has offered for India’s consideration the sale of Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Systems, which would enhance India’s capabilities and promote shared security interests,” the joint statement said.

Further, President trump said, both US and Indian militaries will join together with the Japanese navy to take place in the largest maritime exercise (MALABAR) ever conducted in the vast Indian Ocean. Other issues on Afghanistan and North Korea figured in his speech.

In his reply, Prime Minister Modi thanked the US President and pondered on common priorities such as growth and terrorism being model democracies of the world. Increased productivity, growth, job creation, and breakthrough technologies will remain strong drivers of the cooperation, he said.

“I am sure that the convergence between my vision for a “new India and President Trump’s vision for “making America great again” will add new dimensions to our cooperation,” he said.

Finally, Modi termed his visit “very successful, very fruitful.” He concluded his speech inviting President Trump and the First Lady to visit India.”

India, US Launch New Clean Energy Joint Initiative

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Union power minister Piyush Goyal and US Ambassador Richard Verma launched on Friday a new joint venture of US-India Clean Energy Finance (USICEF) Initiative which would help in unlocking OPIC financing and mobilize public and private capital to expand access to distributed clean energy projects.

Letter of Intents were signed and exchanged between MNRE and OPIC in presence of Piyush Goyal for the creation of a $20 million for US-India Clean Energy Finance (USICEF) Initiative, equally supported by the United States and India would support projects which, upon long-term financing and deployment, and would qualify for the support of long-term debt financing from OPIC.

The U.S.-India Clean Energy Finance facility (USICEF) would support project preparation activities for distributed solar projects in order to unlock OPIC financing and mobilize public and private capital to expand access to distributed clean energy solutions that will benefit disadvantaged communities in India and contribute to India’s ambitious renewable energy and energy access goals.

USICEF builds on the success of other project preparation facilities to support renewable energy in emerging markets. Through this initiative, project developers pursuing mini-grid, distributed rooftop and off-grid solar projects, as well as smaller-scale grid connected solar projects would be benefitted.

Rajeev Kapoor, Secretary, MNRE, White House Senior director John Morton and William Pegues, Managing Director, OPIC and representatives of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Good Energies Foundation were also present.
During the event, Udai Khemka presented Clean Energy Finance Forum (CEFF) Report to Goyal. The report has been prepared after an extensive domestic and international consultation with all categories of financial Institutions (including pension funds, sovereign investors, insurance companies, other financial investors/funds, banks, investment banks etc.), multilateral institutions, as well as strategic investors and developers.

CEFF has made recommendations which will help solicit greater investment into the renewable energy sector. Some of the key cross cutting recommendations includes to boost and Accelerate “Open Access” Markets; Improve PPA Bankability; Improve Ease of Access to Domestic Banking and Capital Markets; Encourage International Debt and Equity Investments and Mitigate Currency Risk.

Goyal assured that suggestions emerged out would be examined and corrective actions would be taken up soon. He also stated that the new initiative of USICEF launched would help the early-stage project capital gap for distributed solar by supporting project preparation activities necessary to access long-term debt financing and unlocking OPIC and private finance.