International

Trump threatens to leave ‘very little’ of Iran if Tehran retaliates

Published

2 months ago

September 1, 2026

Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Very Hard’ Response Over Flydubai Attack

Trump threatens to leave ‘very little’ of Iran if Tehran retaliates

US President Donald Trump has threatened to launch an even more devastating attack on Iran if Tehran retaliates against the latest US military strikes near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Trump issued the warning on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, shortly after the United States launched a fresh wave of strikes against targets linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the operation as a “large and powerful” attack, saying it was carried out in response to what he described as Iran’s failed attempt to deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

He also cited Iran’s recent missile attack on a US military base in Jordan, saying Tehran had fired eight missiles and that all eight were successfully intercepted.

Trump said the Strait of Hormuz currently had no mines, claiming they had either been removed or detonated.

The US president then issued a direct warning to Tehran, saying Iran would be hit again “at a much harder and higher level” if it retaliated against the latest American operation.

Trump went further, warning that an even bigger attack was already being prepared.

He said the larger operation was “waiting in the wings” and warned that, once carried out, “there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The threat came as the US military confirmed that it had begun striking IRGC targets in Iran, with the United States saying the operation followed recent attempted attacks by Iranian forces against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American service members deployed in the region. (AP News)

The latest strikes represent a sharp escalation between Washington and Tehran after US forces attacked Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

READ ALSO:

The US said the earlier operation was aimed at preventing Iranian forces from using the launchers to deploy sea mines and threaten shipping through the waterway.

Iran responded by firing missiles towards US military positions in Jordan. Jordan said it intercepted incoming missiles, while the United States also said the Iranian attack had been successfully countered.

The renewed confrontation has significantly increased concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for global oil shipments.

The crisis intensified further after two supertankers carrying Saudi crude were struck by unidentified projectiles while passing through the strait near Khasab, Oman, on Monday.

The vessels, the Saudi-flagged Sidr and the Liberian-flagged Senegal Prosperity, had each loaded about two million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal before the incidents. No casualties were reported. (Reuters)

The attacks on the tankers have raised fresh concerns about the safety of commercial vessels and the potential impact of the conflict on international energy supplies.

Oil prices rose sharply on Tuesday as markets reacted to the renewed US-Iran conflict and the growing risk of prolonged disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude climbed above $94 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate also recorded a significant increase. (AP News)

The escalation is also putting pressure on diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading further across the Middle East.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has maintained that Tehran is willing to pursue a negotiated solution, but he has called on Washington to honour commitments under an interim understanding reached earlier in the conflict.

Pezeshkian has indicated that Iran would reciprocate if the United States returned to its commitments under the agreement, while Tehran has continued to condemn the latest American strikes. (Al Jazeera)

Iran has nevertheless warned that the United States should expect consequences for the latest attacks. An IRGC spokesperson said severe punishment awaited the attackers and warned that Washington would regret the strikes. (The Independent)

The conflicting signals from Tehran — threats of retaliation alongside calls for renewed negotiations — have added uncertainty over the next stage of the confrontation.

The situation is particularly sensitive because the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the global oil market. Any sustained disruption to the waterway could affect crude supplies, shipping costs and fuel prices in countries far beyond the Middle East.

Attempts by regional powers, including Qatar and Oman, to mediate and restore stability around the waterway have so far failed to prevent the latest escalation. The attacks on commercial vessels have further complicated efforts to reopen the route safely. (Reuters)

Trump’s latest warning therefore raises the possibility of a much broader US-Iran military confrontation if Tehran launches another attack in response to the American strikes.

For now, Washington says its operations are aimed at countering threats to US forces and commercial shipping, while Tehran insists that it will defend its interests and respond to what it regards as American aggression.

The coming days could determine whether the latest exchange remains a limited confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz or develops into a wider regional conflict, with potentially significant consequences for global oil prices, international shipping and Middle East security.

Trump threatens to leave ‘very little’ of Iran if Tehran retaliates

International

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2026

Trends Admin

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

At least 21 children and a teacher have been killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, north-western Pakistan, triggering an emergency rescue operation as authorities searched for people feared trapped beneath the rubble.

The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in the Dir Colony area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The victims were pupils attending the school when the roof gave way, according to reports citing local officials and hospital authorities.

More than 40 people were reportedly injured in the collapse, with several taken to hospital for treatment. Some of the injured were said to be in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase as rescue efforts continued.

Mohammad Asim, a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital, confirmed that children and a teacher were brought to the facility after the incident. Early reports said the children killed were all aged 13 or younger.

Emergency responders, including personnel from Rescue 1122, were deployed to the scene to remove debris, search for survivors and transport injured pupils to medical facilities. Rescue workers continued to check the wreckage for anyone who might still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

READ ALSO:

The cause of the collapse had not been established at the time of reporting. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the condition of the school building and whether construction and safety standards were observed.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the strength of the families affected by the tragedy.

The disaster has renewed concerns about building safety and construction standards in Pakistan, where structural collapses have repeatedly caused deaths and injuries. Poor construction materials and weak enforcement of safety regulations have been cited in reports on previous incidents, although the cause of the Peshawar collapse remains unconfirmed.

In June 2026, a roof collapse at a tutoring centre in Lahore killed at least 14 children. The recurring incidents have intensified calls for stricter inspections of educational facilities and stronger enforcement of building regulations to protect pupils and school staff.

Authorities are expected to establish what caused the latest collapse and determine whether any safety breaches contributed to the tragedy.

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

International

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

Published

2 days ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

Nigeria has secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after receiving 172 votes in an election by the UN General Assembly, earning the country a three-year term on the international body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide.

The election was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Nigeria will serve on the 47-member council from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.

Nigeria was among 15 countries elected to the council for the new term. The other successful candidates included Zambia, Ghana, Burundi, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Nepal, Moldova and Ukraine.

Among the African candidates, Zambia received 177 votes, Ghana secured 173, Nigeria obtained 172, while Burundi received 160 votes.

The election gives Nigeria an opportunity to participate in international deliberations on human rights standards, alleged violations and measures aimed at improving the protection of fundamental freedoms across the world.

However, the process has attracted criticism from human rights organisations because the election was uncontested. Regional groups nominated exactly as many candidates as there were available seats, meaning there was no competitive ballot among rival candidates within the respective groups.

The UN Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body based in Geneva, Switzerland. Established in 2006, it is mandated to address human rights violations, promote respect for fundamental freedoms and make recommendations to governments and the international community.

READ ALSO:

The council comprises 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly through a secret ballot. Its seats are allocated among five regional groups to ensure geographical representation, and members serve staggered three-year terms.

The body examines human rights situations in individual countries, conducts its Universal Periodic Review of UN member states and considers complaints and reports concerning alleged abuses. It can also appoint independent experts, establish commissions of inquiry and authorise fact-finding missions to investigate serious allegations.

Although the council plays an important role in international human rights oversight, it does not operate as a criminal court and cannot independently impose criminal sentences on individuals accused of abuses.

Nigeria’s election comes amid continuing international scrutiny of human rights conditions in several countries, including concerns about police conduct, accountability, freedom of expression and the treatment of vulnerable groups.

The selection of countries with contested human rights records has been criticised by advocacy organisations, which argue that uncontested elections can weaken accountability and reduce pressure on candidates to demonstrate their commitment to protecting fundamental rights.

The criticism has also raised questions about how elected countries will use their positions on the council to address allegations of abuses and support international human rights standards.

For Nigeria, membership offers a platform to contribute to debates on issues such as unlawful killings, torture, discrimination, the rights of women and children, freedom of expression and the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.

The country will also be expected to participate in council sessions, consider resolutions and engage with other member states on international human rights concerns.

Nigeria’s three-year membership begins in January 2027. Its performance on the council will be watched alongside its domestic human rights record, including how authorities address allegations of misconduct and strengthen accountability and protection for citizens.

The election is therefore both a diplomatic achievement for Nigeria and an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to the principles the council was established to uphold.

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

International

Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh Shot Down as Debris Injures Four, Damages 15 Homes

Published

2 days ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh Shot Down as Debris Injures Four, Damages 15 Homes

Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, as debris from earlier missile interceptions injured four people and damaged about 15 residential homes in the Saudi capital.

The developments were announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, amid escalating attacks involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi armed group.

Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, confirmed that a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh had been intercepted and destroyed.

Saudi authorities subsequently lifted danger warnings issued for Riyadh and Al-Kharj Governorate through the country’s National Early Warning Platform, indicating that the immediate threat covered by those alerts had passed.

The missile interception came after loud explosions were heard over Riyadh late on Tuesday as Saudi air defences engaged incoming aerial threats.

According to the Saudi Civil Defence, debris from two previously intercepted cruise missiles fell on residential areas, injuring four people and causing material damage to approximately 15 homes.

The injured comprised two women, a man and a child. Authorities said the debris caused limited damage to the affected properties, while images released by Saudi officials showed damage inside residential buildings.

READ ALSO:

Emergency services responded to the incident, and the relevant authorities implemented established safety procedures. The four injuries were attributed to falling missile fragments rather than a direct impact from the intercepted missiles.

The latest interception was part of a broader series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting threats over Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom, including Dhahran and Al-Kharj.

Saudi officials also reported that three drones had been destroyed north of Riyadh on Tuesday.

In a separate incident, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry confirmed that an administrative building belonging to state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, was struck on Tuesday evening, causing what authorities described as a limited fire.

The ministry said there were no casualties from the fire. Reports indicated that the building was part of the Aramco headquarters complex, which houses offices associated with the company’s extensive oil and energy operations.

The Houthis have claimed attacks against Saudi strategic and energy facilities, including Aramco installations and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The latest developments have raised further concerns about the security of civilian areas and critical infrastructure across the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond to attacks against its territory. The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to protecting its security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The renewed confrontation has also prompted military action by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. On Tuesday, the coalition announced operations targeting facilities it said were being used to support Houthi attacks. It issued warnings urging civilians to stay away from designated locations.

The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have said their attacks are retaliation for Saudi military operations against them. The conflict has intensified after years of intermittent fighting and has increased concerns about the potential impact on regional stability, energy supplies and international shipping.

The latest missile interception in Riyadh underscores the continuing threat posed by missiles and drones in the conflict. Although the ballistic missile targeting the capital was destroyed, falling debris from earlier interceptions demonstrated the risks to residents even when air defences successfully engage incoming weapons.

Saudi authorities have not reported further casualties from the latest ballistic missile interception. The situation remains tense as the kingdom continues to monitor and respond to incoming aerial threats.