Latest news with #Asal
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We weren't expecting it yet': US attack met with panic in Iran
Asal* had been expecting the US to bomb Iran, just not so soon. The 22-year-old Tehran University student had believed Donald Trump when his administration said on Thursday that it would wait up to two weeks before deciding whether to attack Iran, apparently to give diplomacy a chance. And so at 4am when the newscaster announced the bombing on TV, Asal was in disbelief. She rushed to wake her father and the rest of the family, who huddled together in front of the set as the sounds of the news blended with those of bombings elsewhere in the city. 'We weren't expecting it yet. But we knew one way or another the US would take part in it,' Asal told the Guardian from Tehran. 'We are dead worried. You know, sleep doesn't come so easy these past few days.' Iranians woke to the news on Sunday morning that the unthinkable had finally happened: the US had attacked Iran. In the early hours of the morning, American warplanes dropped so-called bunker busters weighing 13,500kg (30,000lb) on the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. The news was met with panic in Iran. It prompted a renewed wave of displacement in Tehran as people feared a more intensified assault on the city now that the US was involved. The question of whether the US would join Israel in its military campaign in Iran had hung over the heads of Iranians since the first Israeli bomb fell nearly 10 days earlier. Iranians watched with worry as Trump played coy with reporters, telling them 'nobody knows what I'm going to do' about Iran. On 13 June, Israel had launched hundreds of airstrikes on Iran, an operation it said was aimed at preventing the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran quickly responded with a barrage of missiles and drones, kicking off an escalating tit-for-tat war. Israel asked the US to join its military campaign as it was the only country with the firepower necessary to penetrate the Fordow nuclear facility, buried up to 100 metres underground. On Sunday, the US granted its request. The Iranian government, incensed by the attacks, said it would do whatever was necessary to retaliate. The president, Masoud Pezeshkian, appeared in front of hundreds of protesters in a square in central Tehran, who raised their fists and chanted 'Revenge, revenge!'. Asal has little appetite for revenge, she just wants the war to be over. To her and her friends, the US attack felt like a betrayal. 'No one is rooting for either side to win. We just want peace. Not even those Iranians who wanted a regime change are happy. They expected Trump to take a different route or at least give us two weeks,' Asal said. Trump's administration has said the strikes were in line with his 'peace through strength' doctrine and has urged Iran not to retaliate but instead to return to the negotiating table. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, flatly rejected the request for talks, telling reporters in Istanbul on Sunday that now was not the time for diplomacy. To Navid*, Trump's claims that the US bombing of Iran was a peace initiative rang hollow. The 28-year-old business owner in Tehran had been following international developments closely over the last 10 days, appointed the unofficial source of news for his family. 'Who, exactly, cares about civilians?' he said. 'The Israelis? Have they ever shown concern for civilian lives in Beirut or Gaza? The Americans? Did they show any in Libya, Afghanistan or Iraq?' Instead, he suggested the attack was less about strategy, and more about Trump's ego. 'He always wants to swoop in like Superman and do the things he claims no one else can.' US officials insisted that the strikes were a one-off and that they had achieved their goals in crippling Iran's nuclear capabilities. Nonetheless, some Iranians feared that the apparent success of the US operation would inspire either Israel or the US to extend its aims and seek to change the regime in Iran – a fight they did not want to be caught up in, whether they support the government or not. Ava*, a 25-year-old accountant in Tehran, said: 'We are angry, scared and frankly disgusted by not only the regime but also each one of you outside Iran who is sitting in the comfort of your homes and calling for US war on us. Who are you to decide for us?' *Names have been changed.
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘We weren't expecting it yet': US attack met with panic in Iran
Asal* had been expecting the US to bomb Iran, just not so soon. The 22-year-old Tehran University student had believed Donald Trump when his administration said on Thursday that it would wait up to two weeks before deciding whether to attack Iran, apparently to give diplomacy a chance. And so at 4am when the newscaster announced the bombing on TV, Asal was in disbelief. She rushed to wake her father and the rest of the family, who huddled together in front of the set as the sounds of the news blended with those of bombings elsewhere in the city. 'We weren't expecting it yet. But we knew one way or another the US would take part in it,' Asal told the Guardian from Tehran. 'We are dead worried. You know, sleep doesn't come so easy these past few days.' Iranians woke to the news on Sunday morning that the unthinkable had finally happened: the US had attacked Iran. In the early hours of the morning, American warplanes dropped so-called bunker busters weighing 13,500kg (30,000lb) on the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. The news was met with panic in Iran. It prompted a renewed wave of displacement in Tehran as people feared a more intensified assault on the city now that the US was involved. The question of whether the US would join Israel in its military campaign in Iran had hung over the heads of Iranians since the first Israeli bomb fell nearly 10 days earlier. Iranians watched with worry as Trump played coy with reporters, telling them 'nobody knows what I'm going to do' about Iran. On 13 June, Israel had launched hundreds of airstrikes on Iran, an operation it said was aimed at preventing the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran quickly responded with a barrage of missiles and drones, kicking off an escalating tit-for-tat war. Israel asked the US to join its military campaign as it was the only country with the firepower necessary to penetrate the Fordow nuclear facility, buried up to 100 metres underground. On Sunday, the US granted its request. The Iranian government, incensed by the attacks, said it would do whatever was necessary to retaliate. The president, Masoud Pezeshkian, appeared in front of hundreds of protesters in a square in central Tehran, who raised their fists and chanted 'Revenge, revenge!'. Asal has little appetite for revenge, she just wants the war to be over. To her and her friends, the US attack felt like a betrayal. 'No one is rooting for either side to win. We just want peace. Not even those Iranians who wanted a regime change are happy. They expected Trump to take a different route or at least give us two weeks,' Asal said. Trump's administration has said the strikes were in line with his 'peace through strength' doctrine and has urged Iran not to retaliate but instead to return to the negotiating table. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, flatly rejected the request for talks, telling reporters in Istanbul on Sunday that now was not the time for diplomacy. To Navid*, Trump's claims that the US bombing of Iran was a peace initiative rang hollow. The 28-year-old business owner in Tehran had been following international developments closely over the last 10 days, appointed the unofficial source of news for his family. 'Who, exactly, cares about civilians?' he said. 'The Israelis? Have they ever shown concern for civilian lives in Beirut or Gaza? The Americans? Did they show any in Libya, Afghanistan or Iraq?' Instead, he suggested the attack was less about strategy, and more about Trump's ego. 'He always wants to swoop in like Superman and do the things he claims no one else can.' US officials insisted that the strikes were a one-off and that they had achieved their goals in crippling Iran's nuclear capabilities. Nonetheless, some Iranians feared that the apparent success of the US operation would inspire either Israel or the US to extend its aims and seek to change the regime in Iran – a fight they did not want to be caught up in, whether they support the government or not. Ava*, a 25-year-old accountant in Tehran, said: 'We are angry, scared and frankly disgusted by not only the regime but also each one of you outside Iran who is sitting in the comfort of your homes and calling for US war on us. Who are you to decide for us?' *Names have been changed.
Al-Ahram Weekly
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Squash: Egypt's El-Sherbini equals record, Asal claims maiden PSA World Championship title - Omni sports
Nour El-Sherbini captured her record-equalling eighth PSA World Championship crown, and Mostafa Asal secured his first, with the duo clinching straight-set victories in all-Egyptian finals at the 2024/2025 edition in Chicago on Sunday. El-Sherbini, 29, overcame Hania El-Hammamy 11-5, 11-9, 11-4, and 11-7 in a 61-minute contest to draw level with Malaysian icon Nicol David's all-time record of eight world titles. It was her 10th consecutive appearance in the final and her fourth championship triumph in the Windy City. 'I never imagined I'd get to eight,' El-Sherbini said. 'I've had a tough season, but I really wanted this one. It means everything.' she added. On the men's side, Asal produced a clinical 11-7, 11-8, and 11-3 win over four-time champion Ali Farag, completing a flawless tournament without dropping a single game. The 23-year-old holds the PSA World title and the British Open crown, retaining the World No.1 spot. 'To win this title, and stay No.1, is incredible,' Asal said. 'There were a lot of mental challenges this week. I'm grateful to my team, especially to James Willstrop, who helped me stay focused,' he said. Both finals showcased Egypt's continued supremacy in the sport. Egyptian players account for all finalists at squash's most prestigious tournament, which carries a total prize fund of $1.31 million. Asal, who had lost to Peru's Diego Elias in last year's final, exacted redemption against Farag — his sixth final meeting with the experienced World No.2 — extending his head-to-head advantage to 5-1. Meanwhile, El-Hammamy was appearing in her first World Championship final. 'She's young and talented, but today I had the edge of experience,' El-Sherbini said. The PSA World Tour will now shift to Egypt for the Palm Hills Open from 22 to 27 May. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Squash: Egypt's El-Sherbini equals record, Asal claims maiden PSA World Championship title - World
Nour El-Sherbini captured her record-equalling eighth PSA World Championship crown, and Mostafa Asal secured his first, with the duo clinching straight-set victories in all-Egyptian finals at the 2024/2025 edition in Chicago on Sunday. El-Sherbini, 29, overcame Hania El-Hammamy 11-5, 11-9, 11-4, and 11-7 in a 61-minute contest to draw level with Malaysian icon Nicol David's all-time record of eight world titles. It was her 10th consecutive appearance in the final and her fourth championship triumph in the Windy City. 'I never imagined I'd get to eight,' said El-Sherbini. 'I've had a tough season, but I really wanted this one. It means everything.' On the men's side, Asal produced a clinical 11-7, 11-8, and 11-3 win over four-time champion Ali Farag, completing a flawless tournament without dropping a single game. The 23-year-old holds the PSA World title and the British Open crown, retaining the World No.1 spot. 'To win this title, and stay No.1, is incredible,' Asal said. 'There were a lot of mental challenges this week. I'm grateful to my team, especially to James Willstrop, who helped me stay focused,' he said. Both finals showcased Egypt's continued supremacy in the sport. Egyptian players account for all finalists at squash's most prestigious tournament, which carries a total prize fund of $1.31 million. Asal, who had lost to Peru's Diego Elias in last year's final, exacted redemption against Farag — his sixth final meeting with the experienced World No.2 — extending his head-to-head advantage to 5-1. Meanwhile, El-Hammamy was appearing in her first World Championship final. 'She's young and talented, but today I had the edge of experience,' El-Sherbini said. The PSA World Tour will now shift to Egypt for the Palm Hills Open from 22 to 27 May. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Squash World Championships: El Sherbini wins record-equalling 8th title, Asal clinches maiden crown
Egyptians Nour El Sherbini and Mostafa Asal were crowned the women's and men's champions, respectively at the Squash World Championships in Chicago on Saturday. Playing her 10th straight final at the event, the 29-year-old El Sherbini defeated compatriot and World No. 3 Hania El Hammamy 3-1 (11-5, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7) to clinch her eighth title. World No. 2 El Sherbini matched Nicol David's all-time record of eight World Championship crowns. 'Everyone was saying about Nicol's record, and I never thought I was going to make it. It's unbelievable, I can't describe it, but I've been having a really tough season. I'm glad I won this title, it means a lot for my corner, my team and my parents,' El Sherbini told after the win. The record-equalling moment for @noursherbini 🙌 The emotion from the World No.2 as she draws level with @NicolDavid with 8⃣ @PSAWorldChamps titles 🏆# — PSA World Championships (@PSAWorldChamps) May 18, 2025 In the men's final, World No. 1 Asal defeated World No. 2 and compatriot Ali Farag 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3) to clinch his maiden title. The 24-year-old Asal now holds both the PSA World Championships and British Open titles as well as the World No.1 spot – a position he would have conceded to four-time World Champion Farag had he lost to the 33-year-old in the final. 'I want to thank everyone who has supported me, but the man who has been behind me is my mentor, James Willstrop. My father told me after everything that had happened to come back to Egypt, but Jimbo has been having a lot of discussions and chats with me, and here I am, the World Champion,' said Asal, who did not drop a single game throughout the tournament. India had five participants in this edition of the event. In the men's field, Velavan Senthilkumar was knocked out in the opening round while Abhay Singh, India No. 1 Ramit Tandon and debutant Veer Chotrani were eliminated in the second round. In the women's draw, 17-year-old debutant Anahat Singh exited in the second round. India is yet to win a medal at the World Championships. RESULTS (Finals) Women [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-1: 11-5, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7 (61 minutes) Men [2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [1] Ali Farag (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-3 (41 minutes) Related Topics Squash World Championships
