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Trump accuses Pope Leo of not mind­ing Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb

Apr 13, 2026, 02:32 GMT+1

US President Donald Trump accused Pope Leo of being weak on Iran and foreign policy in a lengthy post criticizing the pontiff’s views and recent comments about the Trump administration.

“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote, arguing that the pope’s positions on global issues were misguided.

Trump also called the pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” while criticizing him for speaking about “fear” of the Trump administration.

The US president said the pope should “focus on being a great pope, not a politician,” claiming the Catholic Church was being harmed by what he described as political interventions.

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Iranian supertanker delivers crude to India after US waiver

Apr 13, 2026, 01:53 GMT+1

For the first time in seven years, an Iranian VLCC supertanker delivered two million barrels of crude oil to India following a sanctions waiver issued by the US Treasury, according to TankerTrackers.

The vessel, FELICITY, carried the cargo to India for Reliance Industries, whose refinery is based in Sikka.

Additional cargoes totaling a few million barrels are expected to arrive in the coming week, the tracking service said.

Pezeshkian says deal possible if US ‘respects rights of Iranians'

Apr 13, 2026, 00:53 GMT+1
Pezeshkian says deal possible if US ‘respects rights of Iranians'
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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said an agreement with the United States remains possible if Washington changes its approach toward Tehran.

“If the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.

His remarks come after marathon negotiations between Washington and Tehran ended without a deal, despite raising hopes that the talks could produce a framework for de-escalation.

Zoroastrian religious figure arrested in Iran

Apr 13, 2026, 00:38 GMT+1
Zoroastrian religious figure arrested in Iran
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Hooman Forouhari, a Zoroastrian religious figure, was arrested in Kerman on March 14 by the intelligence branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, according to reports.

A source close to him told Iran International that Forouhari is under severe pressure to give a forced confession.

Forouhari's wife, Minou Mehrbani—a Zoroastrian researcher and cultural activist—was also arrested during the first week of Nowruz.

The couple ran a Telegram channel called “Poyandegan Rah Asha,” which focused on teaching Zoroastrian religious content.

The charges against them have not been announced, and there is no information about their health or current condition.

Worst outcome is Islamic Republic’s survival, ex-CIA official says

Apr 13, 2026, 00:18 GMT+1

As a fragile ceasefire holds between the United States and Iran, former CIA analyst and former National Security Council director Ken Pollack is warning that the greatest risk may be a war that ends with the Islamic Republic still intact.

“I don't see anything from the Trump administration that indicates an interest in absolutely getting rid of this regime,” Pollack said, referring to the prospect of regime change.

“The initial rhetoric about regime change is just gone. In fact, the president is constantly talking about how wonderful this leadership is, that it's better, that it is more reasonable than we had at the beginning, which I just see as absolutely fantastical.”

US-Iran talks were held in Pakistan on Saturday but ended without a deal.

Read the full article here.

Rep. Ansari bashes Hegseth for referring to Persian Gulf as ‘Arabian Gulf’

Apr 12, 2026, 23:31 GMT+1
Rep. Ansari bashes Hegseth for referring to Persian Gulf as ‘Arabian Gulf’
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US Representative Yassamin Ansari criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after he referred to the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf.”

“Last summer, I introduced the Persian Gulf Act after Trump threatened to rename it. Today, Pete Hegseth referred to it as the Arabian Gulf,” Ansari wrote on X.

“The Persian Gulf has been recognized as such by international bodies for centuries. Trump and Hegseth can’t change that now.”

Ansari had introduced legislation last year aimed at affirming the historic name “Persian Gulf” after former President Donald Trump suggested renaming the body of water.