Entertainment
Iran closes airspace, announces live-fire drills over Strait of Hormuz
- Iran issues NOTAM for closure of airspace over Hormuz Strait.
- Iran to launch drills for three days within five-nautical-mile radius.
- NOTAM says space from ground level to 25,000 feet to be restricted.
TEHRAN: Iran has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) announcing live-fire military activity in airspace near the Strait of Hormuz, hours after US military assets arrived in the Middle East, reflecting heightened tensions in the region.
The aviation warning, published on Tuesday, said Iranian forces will carry out live-fire exercises from 27 to 29 January within a five-nautical-mile radius around the strait.
The notice said that the airspace in the designated area — from ground level up to 25,000 feet — will be restricted and considered hazardous for the duration of the activity.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint for global trade, with millions of barrels of crude oil passing through it each day. Any disruption there often sends ripples through international energy markets and heightens geopolitical concern.
The NOTAM comes amid an increase in American military activity in the region as US Air Forces Central (AFCENT) has announced a multi-day readiness exercise across its area of responsibility, aimed at demonstrating rapid deployment and sustainment capabilities.
Officials in Washington have said all options remain on the table in dealing with Tehran, including the possibility of military action, as the United States and Israel seek to counter Iran’s influence.
Iranian authorities have responded with warnings that any attack would prompt a “swift and comprehensive” response.
The air navigation warning will affect civil and military flights through the area during the period of the exercises. Aviation authorities typically issue NOTAMs in advance of live-fire drills to alert pilots and airlines to potential risks and temporary airspace closures.
US warships arrive in ME
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers have crossed into the Middle East region, which comes under the US military’s Central Command, the officials told Reuters.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States had an “armada” heading toward Iran, but hoped he would not have to use it.
The warships began deploying from the Asia-Pacific region earlier this month, as tensions between Iran and the United States escalated following a crackdown on protests across Iran.
Trump had repeatedly threatened to intervene if Iran continued to kill protesters, but the countrywide demonstrations have since abated. The president said he had been told that killings were subsiding and that he believes there is currently no plan for the executions of prisoners.
The US military has in the past surged forces into the Middle East at times of heightened tensions, moves that were often defensive.
However, the US military staged a major buildup last year ahead of its June strikes against Iran’s nuclear programme.
In addition to the carrier and warships, the Pentagon is also moving fighter jets and air-defence systems to the Middle East.
Meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that “Trump will decide what he decides; the State of Israel will decide what it decides”.
But, he added, if Iran attacked Israel, “we will respond with a force that Iran has never seen”.
Iran warns US against attack
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hit out at US “threats” in a call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying they were “aimed at disrupting the security of the region and will achieve nothing other than instability”.
The US also maintains several bases in the Middle East, prompting a Revolutionary Guards commander to issue a warning to Iran’s neighbours on Tuesday.
“Neighbouring countries are our friends, but if their soil, sky, or waters are used against Iran, they will be considered hostile,” Mohammad Akbarzadeh, political deputy of the IRGC naval forces, was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency.
A senior Iranian official said last week that Tehran would consider any attack as an “all-out war against us.”
“This military build-up – we hope it is not intended for real confrontation – but our military is ready for the worst-case scenario. This is why everything is on high alert in Iran,” said the senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“This time we will treat any attack – limited, unlimited, surgical, kinetic, whatever they call it – as an all-out war against us, and we will respond in the hardest way possible to settle this,” the official said.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates assured Iran that they will not let their airspace, territory or territorial waters be used for any hostile military actions against the Islamic republic.
The US military’s Al Dhafra Air Base is located south of the UAE capital Abu Dhabi and has been a critical US Air Force hub in support of key missions against the Islamic State, as well as reconnaissance deployments across the region.
Entertainment
Great decision or a big mistake?
Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are currently struggling through a tough phase as reports about their marriage cause major concerns.
While there are many royal reporters who have claimed that the couple is having a rocky marriage in the wake of the Epstein scandal, other reports have cited close friends that there is no trouble in paradise.
In one of The Mail reports, Edo was reached out where he denied the claims of marital woes. Although that did not do much to settle the discourse surrounding Beatrice’s marriage.
Now, in a new Daily Mail report, it was revealed that the couple are planning to move to the US in a bid to avoid all the drama that has caused them a massive headache. Sources have said that Beatrice is “mortified” and unable to sleep and eat due to the scandal.
Even though there is no wrongdoing associated to their names, her father Andrew and mum Fergie’s involvement with paedophile Jeffery Epstein has cause enough issues.
In a discussion on the Royalist podcast, journalist Paula Froelich believes that it could be a good idea to move to Florida where the couple can stay under radar since many of the people associated with Epstein live there. Hence, they would prefer not to bring it up got their own sake.
Meanwhile, Daily Beast editor Tom Sykes, Beatrice appears to be more “emotionally dependant” on her mother and she is “very British” to adjust in the US.
Entertainment
Kerry Katona refuses to ‘give oxygen’ to Katie Price feud
Kerry Katona has broken her silence over the Dubai row with Katie Price in a bombshell interview on Saturday, confessing she is ‘so over the drama.’
It comes after Kerry and Katie’s 22-year friendship was reportedly strained following the fight between their partners.
The punch-up reportedly occurred when Paolo believed Lee was speaking to Katie in an ‘aggressive manner,’ and he reportedly unfollowed Katie’s new husband.
Now, Kerry has made her clear stance, saying she has no ‘interest in revisiting the alleged fallout. She insisted she is in a ‘good place’ and that Katie can do as she pleases.
Speaking to The Sun, Kerry rolled her eyes as she said: ‘I don’t wanna talk about Kate. I don’t wanna talk about Lee.
‘I’m not interested in this saga. I’m not gonna be pulled in. I’m not gonna give it any oxygen. I’m in a good place. Kate can do what she wants.
‘She’s a grown-a** woman. That’s all I have to say. It’s boring now. I am so over it. Can we have a new drama?’
Last month, it was reported that Kerry had ‘quietly unfollowed’ Lee following their trip to Dubai, which allegedly ended in chaos.
‘Kerry quietly unfollowed Lee a few days ago,’ a source claimed to The Sun.
‘She is still upset about what happened when they were all in Dubai together, and at the end of the day, her loyalties are with Paolo, not Katie and her new man.’
At the time, the source said Kerry is speaking again to Katie but does not want anymore contact with Lee.
It comes after Kerry recently showed off the results of her lymphatic drainage massage, designed to remove waste, excess fluid, and toxins from her body by sharing before and after images.
Kerry’s stomach and torso appeared more defined as lay wrapped in a towel in the photos.
Lymphatic drainage is a specialised massage technique that is performed by a trained professional which stimulates the natural movement of lymph fluid.
Entertainment
Pakistan hosts quadrilateral meeting to discuss Middle East tensions
- Meeting to focus on easing tensions amid Middle East war.
- Pakistan emerges as mediator between Iran, US.
- FMs of Turkiye, Egypt arrive, Saudi FM due in Islamabad.
Pakistan is all set to host a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt from March 29-30 in Islamabad to deliberate upon a variety of issues, including efforts to reduce the ongoing tensions in the region amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Islamabad has emerged as a key facilitator between Iran and the United States as their war drags on, serving as an intermediary for messages between the two sides.
The meeting comes amid efforts to open a window for diplomacy to end the nearly month-long war between the US, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28 and has affected the broader Middle East.
In this regard, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty arrived in Islamabad a day earlier on an official visit.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is scheduled to arrive today.
The Egyptian foreign minister arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was warmly received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Ishaq Dar.
During the meeting, both sides held discussions on the Middle East tension as well as strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Egypt.
Two days earlier, DPM Dar confirmed that indirect talks between the United States and Iran were underway through messages being relayed by Pakistan, with Turkiye and Egypt also helping in the effort.
These efforts included direct contact between Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump on Sunday, confirmed by the White House.
Subsequently, Pakistan delivered a US proposal to Iran, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday. The source did not reveal details of the proposal or confirm if it was the 15-point US framework reported by media outlets.
However, Iran rejected the US proposal, insisting it will end the ongoing “imposed war” on its own terms and timeline, a senior political-security official told Press TV.
Iran outlined five conditions for ending the war: a complete halt to “aggression and assassinations”; mechanisms to prevent the war from being reimposed; guaranteed payment of reparations; resolution across all fronts and resistance groups; and international recognition of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
As part of preparations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier today (Saturday), lasting over one hour.
The call was the PM’s second conversation with Pezeshkian in five days, both of which focused on de-escalation and dialogue.
“I reiterated Pakistan´s strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure, and conveyed Pakistan´s solidarity with the brave people of Iran,” he wrote on X.
PM said he also expressed his condolences on the tragic loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and displaced.
“I apprised him of Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach — engaging the United States and brotherly Gulf and Islamic countries — to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation.”
The PM Office said separately that Pezeshkian “stressed the need to build trust in order to facilitate talks and mediation”.
‘Dialogue and diplomacy’
Separately, DPM Dar held a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and ongoing developments.
The deputy premier emphasised the need for de-escalation, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path for lasting peace.
He also underscored the importance of an end to all attacks and hostilities.
Dar said that Pakistan remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at restoring regional peace and stability.
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