Web Desk

Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Demand for rooftop solar systems in Europe has surged since the start of the Iran war, as households seek ways to cut electricity bills and shield themselves from another energy shock, Reuters reported on Thursday.&nbsp; The conflict has driven up oil, gas and power prices, renewing interest in home solar across several countries. The report said companies in Germany, Britain and the Netherlands have seen demand from homeowners more than double since the war began in late February.&nbsp; The rebound is striking because Europe&rsquo;s solar market weakened last year, with residential rooftop systems accounting for just 14% of new installations in 2025, about half their share in 2021. In Germany, solar wholesaler Solarhandel24 said its net sales more than tripled in March from a year earlier to nearly 70 million euros.&nbsp; The company expects another strong month in April and plans to hire about 85 more workers as orders continue to grow. To keep up, it has built stockpiles of around 500,000 solar panels. Company executives said the move was expensive, but justified by expectations of much higher demand this year. German energy firm Enpal also reported strong growth.&nbsp; Its orders rose 30% year-on-year in March to 130 million euros, while April was tracking for a 33% increase to about 120 million euros, driven mainly by rooftop systems. Batteries includedThe boom is spreading beyond solar panels alone.&nbsp; More households are now buying full systems that include batteries and electric-vehicle wallboxes, allowing them to store excess electricity and use it later, which is lifting demand for storage technology as well.&nbsp; Dutch industry group Holland Solar said demand for storage has climbed by 40% to 50%. There is also a major contradiction in Europe&rsquo;s energy transition.&nbsp; While homeowners are turning to solar to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, almost 90% of the solar panels used in these systems still come from China. Even so, some executives told Reuters this looks like more than a temporary spike.&nbsp; They said repeated geopolitical crises are making rooftop solar increasingly attractive not only as a way to lower bills, but also as a tool for energy security.

Europe

The conflict has driven up oil, gas and power prices, renewing interest in home solar across several countries.

Europe rooftop solar demand surges amid Iran war fallout

BEIJING: Russia&#39;s foreign minister said that his country could make up for China&#39;s energy shortages as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is choked by the US-Israeli war with Iran, Russian state media reported Wednesday. &quot;Russia can, without a doubt, compensate for the shortfall in resources that has arisen&quot; for China and &quot;other countries that are interested in working with us&quot; Sergei Lavrov said at a news conference in Beijing, in response to a question about the Hormuz blockage. He also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China in the first half of the year, Moscow&#39;s TASS state news agency reported. Russia and China&#39;s close economic and political partnership has deepened since Moscow&#39;s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Lavrov, who began a two-day visit to Beijing on Tuesday and met President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, characterised the bilateral relationship as &quot;unshakable in the face of any storms&quot;, Russia&#39;s TASS and RIA Novosti news agencies reported. Ties between the countries &quot;play a stabilising role in world affairs&quot; and are &quot;becoming increasingly important... for the global majority that does not want problems or turbulence&quot;, he said. Lavrov&#39;s visit comes during the same week as a string of foreign leaders meet with Xi in the Chinese capital, including To Lam of Vietnam and Pedro Sanchez of Spain.

China

Asia

Sergei Lavrov says Russia can offset China’s energy shortfall amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, as Moscow and Beijing deepen strategic ties.

Russia can 'compensate' for China's resource gap from Iran war

ISLAMABAD: World leaders on Wednesday publicly thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Messages on X from European, Asian, and Middle Eastern officials emphasized Islamabad&#39;s role as a crucial diplomatic channel in reducing tensions. The United Nations Secretary-General welcomed the announcement, calling on all the parties to comply with their &quot;obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire to pave the way toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.&quot; According to a statement issued by spokesperson St&eacute;phane Dujarric, the secretary-general expressed &quot;sincere appreciation for the efforts of Pakistan and other countries involved in facilitating the ceasefire.&quot; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she welcomed the ceasefire and &ldquo;thank[ed] Pakistan for its mediation,&rdquo; while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also said he welcomed the pause in fighting and thanked Pakistan for its role.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2041755410290393255&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=873a55453a537d0656fc6f405763375253472d25&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;European Council President Ant&oacute;nio Costa said he welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire announcement and urged all sides to uphold its terms to achieve a lasting outcome, while the European Union&rsquo;s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the deal as a step back from the brink after weeks of escalation.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2041784093843521606&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=873a55453a537d0656fc6f405763375253472d25&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Portugal&rsquo;s foreign ministry also welcomed the ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to a broader European chorus backing diplomacy over further military action.&nbsp;Support for Pakistan&rsquo;s role also came from beyond Europe. New Zealand said it welcomed the announcements by Washington and Tehran and all efforts to end the conflict, while Oman&rsquo;s foreign ministry welcomed the ceasefire declaration and praised mediation efforts.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2041684624091574750&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=873a55453a537d0656fc6f405763375253472d25&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Kazakhstan&rsquo;s presidency said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed the agreement on a full ceasefire and truce in the Middle East, reached with the assistance of international mediation.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2041752473862598933&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=873a55453a537d0656fc6f405763375253472d25&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 874px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Ukraine&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv welcomed the agreement to unblock the Strait of Hormuz and cease fire, as well as Pakistan&rsquo;s mediation efforts, underscoring how widely Islamabad&rsquo;s role was being acknowledged across different regions.&nbsp;Norway&rsquo;s foreign minister Espen Barth Eide likewise said the temporary ceasefire gave diplomacy a chance at a moment when the world had stood on the edge of a wider confrontation.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign ministry said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been engaged with foreign counterparts as the ceasefire took shape.&nbsp;Taken together, the wave of public messages and statements shows that Pakistan has earned visible international recognition for its mediation efforts. Reaction from world leadersLeaders from Europe and East Asia welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, mediated by Pakistan, in a joint statement issued on Wednesday. In the statement, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, the European Commission, the European Council, and Japan jointly thanked Pakistan and all partners involved for facilitating this &ldquo;important agreement.&rdquo; &ldquo;The goal must now be to negotiate a swift and lasting end to the war within the coming days. This can only be achieved through diplomatic means,&rdquo; the statement said. It also encouraged quick progress towards a substantive negotiated settlement, adding that this will be crucial to protect the civilian population of Iran and ensure security in the region. &ldquo;It can avert a severe global energy crisis,&rdquo; it added. &ldquo;We support these diplomatic efforts. To this end, we are in close contact with the United States and other partners,&rdquo; the statement said.

Foreign Affairs

World leaders from Europe, Asia and the Middle East publicly thanked Pakistan for helping mediate the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, underscoring Islamabad’s diplomatic role in opening channels for de-escalation, easing tensions and supporting renewed dialogue during a dangerous regional crisis.

‘Islamabad Diplomacy’ hailed as world leaders praise Pakistan’s Iran mediation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced sweeping fuel subsidies and relief measures to shield citizens from increasing global oil prices driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict, as the government intensifies efforts to manage economic fallout. In a televised address, PM Sharif acknowledged the growing burden on households and farmers as energy prices spike worldwide. &ldquo;I am addressing you once again in these difficult times when war is raging in the Gulf and the prices of oil are skyrocketing,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is a bitter reality that the poor are suffering and the farmers are facing new challenges.&rdquo; The measures come as Pakistan faces rising import costs and supply pressures amid instability in key energy routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, which has pushed global oil prices sharply higher and strained economies across Asia. The prime minister said his government had delayed passing on the full impact of rising oil prices to consumers over the past three weeks. &ldquo;I have not considered it appropriate to burden you with the prices of oil&hellip; because I know very well how a common man in Pakistan spends his life,&rdquo; he said. As part of the new relief package, the prime minister announced a significant reduction in petrol prices. &ldquo;I am announcing a reduction of Rs80 [$0.29] per liter in the price of petrol&hellip; the price&hellip; will be reduced to Rs 378 [$1.36] per liter,&rdquo; he said, adding the cut would remain in place for at least one month. The government also introduced targeted subsidies aimed at easing transport and agricultural costs. Motorbike users and public and goods transport will receive Rs100 ($0.36) per liter support, while small and large transport operators will be provided monthly subsidies to offset rising fuel expenses. Support has also been extended to farmers, with Rs1,500 ($5.39) per acre announced to help mitigate the impact of higher input costs. Officials say the measures are being financed partly through adjustments such as levies on higher-end fuel consumption and broader fiscal reprioritization, allowing relief to be directed toward lower- and middle-income groups. The announcement follows a series of high-level consultations involving federal and provincial leadership, aimed at coordinating a national response to the crisis. &ldquo;There was a lot of discussion&hellip; a comprehensive program was announced,&rdquo; PM Sharif said, highlighting efforts to ensure supply stability and avoid shortages seen in other countries. Additional steps have been rolled out across the country. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said public transport in Islamabad would be free for 30 days, with the government covering Rs350 million ($1.26 million) in costs. Provincial authorities have also introduced parallel measures. In Punjab, free public transport has been announced across major systems, while other regions are implementing targeted subsidies for commuters and fuel users. PM Sharif stated that the government would continue efforts to cushion the impact of the crisis. &ldquo;We will not rest until you return to your daily life in peace and tranquility,&rdquo; he said. The developments highlight how the conflict has extended beyond the battlefield, driving inflationary pressures and forcing governments to adopt emergency economic measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Economy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announces fuel subsidies, petrol price cuts and free public transport to ease inflation pressures, as surging global oil prices driven by the Iran war strain Pakistan’s economy and household budgets.

Pakistan unveils fuel relief, free transport as oil prices surge

PARIS: Beneath a hail of bombs, few Iranians have the heart to prepare for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, as war casts a shadow across the country. &ldquo;People just aren&rsquo;t thinking about it,&rdquo; said a resident of the northern city of Bukan, reached by phone from Paris. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the first time in my life that I&rsquo;ve forgotten how to grow sabzeh,&rdquo; a mother said, referring to the sprouted lentils grown for Nowruz. Yet the holiday is a central moment in Persian culture, typically marked by weeks of anticipation. Nowruz, meaning &ldquo;new day,&rdquo; will ring in the year 1405 on the Persian calendar and the arrival of spring on the afternoon of March 20. But this year, the festive spirit eludes many. The dazzling &ldquo;fire festival&rdquo; (Chaharshanbe Suri) that kicks off the holiday season will be closely watched on Tuesday evening. It is the first moment for Iranians to gather in public outside state-organized rallies in support of the authorities. On the night of bonfires, Iranians jump over flames to ward off misfortune and welcome renewal. Over the past two decades, the ancient celebration has become a powerful outlet for young people despite the disapproval of authorities and much of the Shia clergy, who deem it a &ldquo;pagan&rdquo; ritual. Whether Iranians will be allowed to gather at all this year is unclear. Security forces are out in large numbers across major cities and the country remains in a 40-day mourning period following the death of supreme leader Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war. &ldquo;Normally in the days before Nowruz, everyone is cleaning their home and getting ready for the holiday,&rdquo; the Bukan resident said. &ldquo;This year that feeling is completely gone.&rdquo; &lsquo;The children know&rsquo; In Tehran and many other cities, bazaars &mdash; typically the heart of pre-holiday life &mdash; are nearly empty. Many shops and markets remain shut two weeks after the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28. In Piranshahr, in the northwest, &ldquo;the lively, energetic mood of past years has disappeared,&rdquo; said a 40-year-old man, also contacted by AFP from Paris and requesting anonymity. The downturn is another blow to shopkeepers who normally make much of their annual income during the pre-Nowruz rush. &ldquo;My cousin has a clothing shop, but he hasn&rsquo;t been able to open because it&rsquo;s in a city where there are many explosions,&rdquo; said a resident of the capital Tehran. A 48-year-old Afghan migrant who has returned home to seek safety said the streets and bazaars should be packed at this time. &ldquo;But when I went to the market, I didn&rsquo;t see anyone.&rdquo; Even so, many families are trying to find some joy for their children, for whom Nowruz is also a holiday of gifts and treats. &ldquo;I have a six-year-old boy who has no real sense of the war. All he wants are new clothes, sweets and traditional cakes for Nowruz,&rdquo; the Bukan resident said. &ldquo;People try to buy chocolates and snacks for their kids. They want to reassure them,&rdquo; said a father living near Tehran. &ldquo;But the children know and understand everything.&rdquo;

Middle East

As war devastates Iran, Nowruz feels distant. Iranians struggle to prepare amidst bombings and loss, with empty bazaars and halted traditions. Despite hardships, families seek to create small moments of joy for children.

Persian new year looms as war steals Iranians’ joy

ISLAMABAD: Iran&rsquo;s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that US military bases across the Middle East could be targeted if they are used to launch attacks against Iran, in his first public message since assuming power during the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The written statement, broadcast on Iranian state television and read by a presenter while a still image of Khamenei appeared on screen, comes nearly two weeks after the war began following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei. In the message, the new Iranian leader said Tehran had already targeted military installations used in attacks against the country and warned that further strikes could follow. &ldquo;In the recent attack some military bases were used,&rdquo; Khamenei said in the statement. &ldquo;As we had clearly warned, and without attacking those countries themselves, we targeted only those bases.&rdquo; &ldquo;From now on we will be forced to continue doing this,&rdquo; he added. Khamenei also urged governments across the region to reconsider hosting foreign forces. &ldquo;These countries must determine their position toward those who have attacked our homeland and killed our people,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I recommend they close those bases as soon as possible.&rdquo; The message marks Khamenei&rsquo;s first official statement since becoming Iran&rsquo;s third supreme leader after the death of his father during the opening wave of strikes that triggered the widening regional war. Although the statement addressed the nation and regional governments, it was not delivered in person and Iranian authorities have not released video or audio of the new leader, leaving questions about his whereabouts and condition following the strikes that killed the previous leadership. In the written message, Khamenei praised Iran&rsquo;s armed forces and called for continued resistance against what he described as aggression by the United States and Israel. &ldquo;The demand of the masses of the people is the continuation of effective and regret-inducing defense,&rdquo; he said. He also signaled that Iran would continue to use strategic pressure points in the conflict, including the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route. &ldquo;Certainly the lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used,&rdquo; he wrote. Khamenei added that Iranian officials were studying the possibility of expanding the conflict into additional fronts if the war continued. &ldquo;Studies have been conducted regarding the opening of other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and is highly vulnerable,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Activating them will take place if the state of war continues and if it serves our interests.&rdquo; The statement also vowed continued retaliation for Iranian casualties during the war. &ldquo;We will not ignore revenge for the blood of your martyrs,&rdquo; Khamenei said. &ldquo;Every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy becomes an independent case for revenge.&rdquo; The conflict has rapidly widened across the region since the initial strikes on Iran, with missile attacks, drone operations and clashes involving allied groups spreading across multiple fronts and raising fears of a broader Middle East war.

 Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei

In his first message since taking power, Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei vows continued military resistance, threatens retaliation for “martyrs,” and says Tehran may open additional fronts while keeping the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.

Iran leader warns US bases in region could face attacks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left on Thursday for a brief visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, according to a statement from the Prime Minister&#39;s Office. During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to meet with the crown prince to discuss matters of mutual interest and strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. The visit will focus on Pakistan&rsquo;s positive and active role in international diplomacy, and the country will continue to play a constructive role in this regard, the statement read.

PM Shehbaz meets Crown Prince of Saudia (APP)

PM Shehbaz Sharif departed for Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional tensions, security, and matters of mutual interest between the two countries.

Pakistan PM to discuss bilateral ties during Saudi Arabia visit

ISLAMABAD: Iran&#39;s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, said that Iran is not in a position to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is set to start on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.&nbsp; The situation has become uncertain after the US and Israel launched strikes on the country.&nbsp; The crisis intensified after the killing of Iran&rsquo;s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and other countries hosting US military bases.&nbsp; Earlier on Wednesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump had told him Iran is &quot;welcome to compete&quot; at this summer&#39;s finals.&nbsp; In an interview with the IRIB Sports Network, Donyamali said that the current circumstances make participation impossible. &quot;Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.&rdquo; Donyamali added that ongoing conflicts have heavily affected the country. &ldquo;Over the past eight or nine months, two wars have been imposed on us and several thousand of our people have been killed and martyred. Therefore, we definitely do not have the possibility for participation.&rdquo;

Football

Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali says the country cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the ongoing war following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iranian minister says country will not play in FIFA World Cup

WASHINGTON: The United States was responsible for a Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school because of a targeting mistake, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. The newspaper, citing US officials, said the investigation into the February 28 attack was ongoing but preliminary findings were that the United States was responsible. The US military was conducting strikes on an adjacent Iranian base of which the school building was formerly a part and target coordinates were set using outdated data, it said. President Donald Trump suggested earlier this week that Iran itself may have been responsible but later said he could &ldquo;live with&rdquo; whatever the investigation reveals. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fpuqG7aZlmU?si=tEPaq9kjq-xdqU3C" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div> Asked by reporters about the Times report on Wednesday, Trump said: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about it.&rdquo; Iran has said the strike on the elementary school in the southern city of Minab killed more than 150 people. The Times said US Central Command officers created the target coordinates for the strike using outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency. It said investigators were still looking at why outdated information was used in planning the strike and who failed to verify the data. The newspaper said the school is on the same block as buildings used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard&rsquo;s navy and the site of the school was originally part of the base. It said the building housing the school had been fenced off from the base between 2013 and 2016. AFP has been unable to access the location of the strike to independently verify the circumstances around it or the toll reported by Iranian media. President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the United States and Israel for the strike. Israel has consistently denied any involvement in or knowledge of the strike and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last that the United States would not intentionally target a school.

Probe into Feb. 28 strike finds United States likely fired Tomahawk missile that hit Iranian elementary school due to outdated targeting data during attack on nearby base; investigation continues into verification failures as death toll reportedly exceeds 150.

Targeting mistake led to US missile strike on Iranian school: Report

Web Desk/AFP

Donald Trump says Iran’s next supreme leader would need US approval to remain in power, drawing a sharp response from Tehran as clerics finalize a successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after the US-Israeli strikes that killed him.

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