Blasts heard in Indian Kashmir's Srinagar, say official, Reuters witness, residents

SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Two loud blasts were heard in Indian's Kashmir's summer capital of Srinagar on Saturday, near the city airport and the local headquarters of the army, according to an official, a Reuters witness, and local residents.
Two blasts were also heard in Kashmir's Baramulla town, an official and residents told Reuters, as fighting continued between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan.

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The Hill

29 minutes ago

• The Hill

US moving B-2 bombers as Trump weighs Iran response: Reports

Department of Defense (DOD) officials are moving B-2 bombers across the Pacific as President Trump weighs intervening in Israel's war on Iran. Reports from Reuters say the 30,000-pound 'bunker buster bombs' will be stored on the island of Guam while Trump considers the possibility of striking Iran. The DOD referred The Hill's request for comment to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Flight tracking data shows several aircraft leaving Travis Air Force Base with B-2s following the president's statement allotting a two-week deadline for a decision on U.S. intervention in Iran. The bombers were originally being held in Missouri and would likely be used to damage the Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant in Iran. Fordo is Iran's second nuclear enrichment facility after Natanz, which was hit by Israeli forces on Friday. The attacks damaged the facility and furthered the Israeli objective to obliterate Iran's efforts to develop nuclear weapons of war. Israel on Saturday said it struck an Iranian nuclear facility in Isfahan and killed two additional top commanders as the clash between the two Middle Eastern countries expands. Israeli Air Force fighter jets later in the day also moved to strike military infrastructure in southwestern Iran, according to an Israeli military statement. Ahead of Saturday's strikes, Iran fired 40 drones overnight on Friday that were intercepted by Israel, according to the IDF. 'We've been able to take out a large amount of their launchers, creating a bottleneck — we're making it harder for them to fire toward Israel,' an Israeli military official told AP on the condition of anonymity. 'Having said all that, I want to say the Iranian regime obviously still has capabilities.' Earlier this week, Israel Defense Forces said they'd killed multiple top commanders and nine engineers working on Iran's nuclear projects. Trump said the conflict would continue until an 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' was supported by Iran. However, the Iranian Supreme Leader said they would continue to defend themselves amidst the rubble. 'I would like to tell our dear nation that if the enemy senses that you fear them, they won't let go of you. Continue the very behavior that you have had up to this day; continue this behavior with strength,' Ali Khamenei wrote in a post on X.

Yahoo

39 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Trump, Munir exchange praises as Pakistan rises as regional stabilizer: IRS Analysis

ISLAMABAD, June 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a closely watched meeting at the White House, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met with U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Analysts at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad, have characterized this as a strategic reset for Pakistan. Held over a luncheon in the Cabinet Room and followed by an extended session in the Oval Office, the meeting included Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs Steve Witkoff, and Pakistan's National Security Advisor. Initially planned for an hour, the talks stretched over two hours, underscoring the depth of engagement. According to ISPR's official press release, the exchange between Field Marshal Munir and President Trump reflected a new level of mutual recognition, with both leaders exchanging commendations for each other's leadership. Munir conveyed the gratitude of Pakistan's people and government for Trump's personal role in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India during the recent regional crisis. Trump, in return, praised Pakistan's regional peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts. IRS notes that the dialogue extended beyond security matters to encompass expansive discussions on trade, economic development, energy, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and mineral exploration—an ambitious agenda suggesting long-term strategic alignment. President Trump voiced a strong interest in developing a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan rooted in shared goals and regional convergence. Both sides also discussed escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, agreeing on the urgency of diplomatic resolution. Trump was briefed on Pakistan's position as a responsible regional stakeholder advocating for de-escalation. The IRS views this engagement as emblematic of Pakistan's evolving global posture—from reactive crisis diplomacy to proactive strategic positioning. In its analysis, the think tank highlights how Pakistan is increasingly seen by Washington as a necessary stabilizing force amid a deteriorating Middle East environment. According to the think tank's analysis, Pakistan's shared borders with Iran and its strategic position in the Middle East have the potential to catapult Pakistan into the middle of a diplomatic solution. As a symbol of warming ties, Field Marshal Munir formally invited President Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. The invitation was well received, with both sides agreeing to maintain momentum on key collaborative tracks. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: Contact Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad Phone: +92-51-9203974 Email: Website:

CNBC

an hour ago

• CNBC

B-2 bombers moving to Guam amid Middle East tensions, U.S. officials say

The United States is moving B-2 bombers to the Pacific island of Guam, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Saturday, as President Donald Trump weighs whether the U.S. should take part in Israel's strikes against Iran. It was unclear whether the bomber deployment is tied to Middle East tensions. The B-2 can be equipped to carry America's 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed to destroy targets deep underground. That is the weapon that experts say could be used to strike Iran's nuclear program, including Fordow. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, declined to disclose any further details. One official said no forward orders had been given yet to move the bombers beyond Guam. They did not say how many B-2 bombers are being moved. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Experts and officials are closely watching to see whether the B-2 bombers will move forward to a U.S.-British military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Experts say that Diego Garcia is in an ideal position to operate in the Middle East. The United States had B-2 bombers on Diego Garcia up until last month, when they were replaced with B-52 bombers. Israel said on Saturday it had killed a veteran Iranian commander during attacks by both sides in the more than week-long air war, while Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear program while under threat. Israel says Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons, while Iran says its atomic program is only for peaceful purposes. Trump has said he would take up to two weeks to decide whether the United States should enter the conflict on Israel's side, enough time "to see whether or not people come to their senses," he said. Reuters was first to report this week the movement of a large number of tanker aircraft to Europe and other military assets to the Middle East, including the deployment of more fighter jets. An aircraft carrier in the Indo-Pacific is also heading to the Middle East.