Israel a US accomplice in attacks on Iran

Israel's desire to potentially destroy Iranian nuclear facilities stems from a mix of strategic, security, and geopolitical concerns. Here’s a breakdown of the likely reasons:

National Security Threat

Israel sees a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat. Iran has a long history of hostile rhetoric against Israel, including statements from some Iranian leaders calling for the end of the Israeli state. A nuclear weapon in Iranian hands could shift the balance of power in the region and severely limit Israel’s freedom to act militarily.

Regional Power Balance

Israel is currently the only country in the Middle East widely believed to possess nuclear weapons (though it has never confirmed this officially). If Iran were to develop its own nuclear arsenal, it would undermine Israel’s strategic military edge in the region and potentially spark a regional arms race.

Deterrence Concerns

Even if Iran doesn’t use a nuclear weapon, the mere possession could embolden Iranian proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon or militias in Syria and Iraq. Israel worries that Iran’s nuclear capability could act as a protective umbrella for more aggressive conventional or proxy actions.

Lack of Trust in Diplomacy

Israel has been critical of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), arguing that it does not permanently prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and that Iran could "wait out" the deal and then resume enrichment. They also believe Iran has cheated or could cheat on its obligations.

Precedent of Preemptive Strikes

Israel has a history of preemptively striking nuclear programs in the region:

Iraq’s Osirak reactor in 1981

Syria’s Al-Kibar facility in 2007

These actions reflect a doctrine that Israel will not allow hostile states to acquire nuclear weapons.

Killing of Iranian nuclear scientists by Israel

The killing of Iranian nuclear scientists—widely attributed to Israel—has been a significant and controversial element in the long-running tensions between Iran and Israel, especially regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Here's a breakdown of key events and context:

Overview of the Killings

Since around 2010, several Iranian nuclear scientists have been assassinated under mysterious or targeted circumstances. These attacks are believed by many experts and intelligence sources to be part of an Israeli covert campaign to slow or sabotage Iran’s nuclear program. Following is the list of major Israeli attacks on Iranian facilities:

Masoud Alimohammadi (Jan 2010)

Physics professor was killed in a bomb blast in Tehran. Iran blamed the US and Israel, though there was little publicly available evidence.

Majid Shahriari (Nov 2010)

Nuclear engineer was assassinated in a car bombing.

Simultaneously, another scientist, Fereydoon Abbasi, was targeted but survived.

Dariush Rezaeinejad (July 2011)

Shot by gunmen on a motorcycle outside his home.

Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan (Jan 2012)

Deputy Director of the Natanz uranium enrichment facility was killed in a magnetic bomb attack on his car.

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh (Nov 2020)

Senior figure in Iran’s nuclear program, seen as the “father” of Iran’s nuclear weapons project was killed in a highly sophisticated ambush, allegedly involving remote-controlled weapons and possibly AI. Israel was widely suspected; Netanyahu had named Fakhrizadeh in a 2018 speech as central to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Israeli Stance

Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the assassinations but has hinted at a policy of proactive defense against Iranian nuclear capabilities. The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad is believed to be behind the operations, according to various reports and leaked information.

Strategic Purpose

Delay Nuclear Development:

Targeting key figures slows down Iran’s nuclear progress.

Deterrence:

Sends a message to Iran and other adversaries.

Psychological Warfare:

Undermines morale and trust within Iran’s scientific and intelligence community.

Iran’s Response

Iran has blamed Israel and sometimes the US and vowed revenge. It has strengthened security around its scientists and facilities. Iran has continued pushing forward its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment.

International Reactions

The killings have drawn mixed international response. Some Western countries condemned the assassinations as extrajudicial killings. Others remained silent or vaguely supportive, seeing Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a security threat.

US-Iran complete first round of nuclear talks with little movement

Envoys from the United States and Iran completed the first round of talks regarding Tehran’s developing nuclear program with little movement, but indicated the discussions will continue next week, reports The Hill.

Middle East envoy Steve Wiktoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi “briefly spoke in the presence of the Omani foreign minister” toward the end of the meeting, according to Iranian state TV.

The two sides spoke for more than two hours, just outside of Muscat, the capital of Oman. The meeting was mediated by Omani foreign minister Badr Al-Busaidy, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed Saturday morning in a post on social platform X.

Baghaei said the two delegations were seated in separate rooms, and they would relay their messages through Al-Busaidy, according to the spokesperson.

The talks between the two countries come as President Trump has repeatedly pushed to reach a new nuclear deal with Iran. Trump in 2018 notably pulled out of a previous agreement that was brokered by former President Obama.

The White House, however, has emphasized that a fresh deal must include Tehran disposing of its nuclear arsenal.

If an agreement is not reached, the president said, military action against the country might ensue. The warning comes after the US imposed new sanctions on five entities and one individual based in Iran earlier this week for their support of those overseeing the nuclear program.

“I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country, but they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters Friday aboard Air Force One.

Before discussions with the US delegation, Araghchi and Al-Busaidy met in Muscat, Oman. Iran’s top diplomat expressed gratitude to Oman for hosting the talks and shared the “key points and positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran with his Omani counterpart to be conveyed to the other side.” 

Ahead of the high-stakes talks, Witkoff said the administration’s “red line” with Iran is preventing the Islamic nation from churning out a nuclear weapon. 

Witkoff, who Trump has delegated the lead negotiator in ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine, said the administration’s starting demand is for Tehran to nix its nuclear program. The same position is also held by Israel, but the envoy said there’s some room for compromise to strike a deal. 

“I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today,” Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published Friday. “That doesn’t mean, by the way, that at the margin we’re not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries.”

“Where our red line will be, there can’t be weaponization of your nuclear capability,” he said.

Witkoff added that if a deal with Tehran is forged, there needs to be a robust verification process to ensure that Iran is not working on producing a nuclear bomb. He told The Journal that the Saturday talks are about “trust building.”  

“It is about talking about why it is so important for us to get to a deal, not the exact terms of the deal,” he said.

 

 

Iran seeks fair and honorable agreement with United States

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Tehran’s goal is to achieve a “fair and honorable agreement” in indirect negotiations with the United States, currently taking place in Muscat, Oman, reports Reuters.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, Araghchi emphasized that Iran is entering the talks “from a position of equality,” according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

“Our intention is to achieve a fair agreement, based on mutual respect,” he said, adding that a “preliminary understanding” is possible if Washington adopts a similar approach.

“If the other side has come to the table with the same mindset, then there is room for a constructive negotiating path.”

Araghchi praised Oman’s “responsible stance” on regional issues and described Muscat’s role as host of the negotiations as “a clear sign of its positive diplomatic approach.”

Omani Foreign Minister Busaidi welcomed Araghchi and called relations between the two countries “exceptional,” expressing appreciation for Iran’s decision to hold talks in Oman.

According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Araghchi began consultations with Busaidi ahead of Saturday evening’s indirect negotiations with the American delegation. Busaidi is also expected to meet US lead negotiator Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East.

The negotiations follow Trump’s invitation in March to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for direct talks. At a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, Trump announced that “direct negotiations” would begin Saturday.

The US and its allies accuse Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons — a claim Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear program is peaceful and focused on energy production.

Israeli media reported that Trump’s announcement of direct talks surprised Israeli officials, who have repeatedly advocated for military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

 

Can US-Iran talks yield immediate results?

The outcome of today's US-Iran talks in Oman remains uncertain, given the complex backdrop of regional tensions and divergent positions.​ It is necessary to understand the key factors influencing the talks.

Regional Instability:

The Middle East is experiencing heightened tensions, including conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, Iranian-Israeli missile exchanges, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes, and the collapse of Syria's government. These developments have created a volatile environment that complicates diplomatic efforts.

US Stance:

President Donald Trump's administration has emphasizes that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons is a non-negotiable "red line." While the US demands the dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program, it remains open to compromise, focusing on trust-building measures and verifiable compliance.

Iranian Position:

Iran has shown a willingness to engage in indirect negotiations through Oman's mediation, despite Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's public rejection of talks. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that indirect negotiations are feasible and have historical precedent, suggesting a potential openness to dialogue under certain conditions.

Israel the Spoiler

Israel has consistently expressed strong opposition to US-Iran nuclear negotiations, often taking actions that complicate diplomatic efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that Israel will do "everything" to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, viewing any potential deal as a threat to regional stability.

In recent developments, as the US and Iran prepare for talks in Oman, Israel has intensified its diplomatic engagements. Israeli officials, including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, have held high-level meetings with US counterparts to discuss Iran's nuclear program and express concerns over the negotiations.

While Israel remains skeptical of Iran's intentions, some Israeli officials have indicated that they might not oppose a new deal, provided it effectively prevents Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, Israel's firm stance and active involvement underscore its influential role in shaping the discourse around US-Iran nuclear talks.​

Prospects for Progress

While both nations have expressed interest in resolving tensions, significant challenges remain. The US seeks to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, whereas Iran demands sanctions relief and economic engagement. The success of the talk hinges on the ability of both parties to find common ground and build mutual trust.​ While the talks in Oman represent a critical opportunity for diplomacy, the path to a meaningful agreement is fraught with obstacles. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether these discussions can lead to substantive progress.

 

 

Europeans pledge €21 billion military support for Ukraine

Ukraine's key allies from across the globe have announced €21 billion in new military support at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) held in NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday. The group, once exclusively led by the United States but now led by Germany and Britain, comprises 51 nations and partners, reports Euronews.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, today's announcement, including Germany's pledge of €11 billion until 2029, is a record boost in military funding for Ukraine.

The €21 billion also includes the Britain's £4.5 billion commitment for this year, which the country’s defense secretary John Healey described as its highest contribution yet.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov warned Russia is "ramping up military production", and said Europe was now "taking the lead in security assistance for which we are thankful to Britain and Europe".

US Secretary of State Pete Hegseth participated online, and Umerov told reporters the US was continuing its military assistance to his country.

The lack of air defense capabilities remains a huge problem for Ukraine, as Russia has sent over 10,000 glide bombs into Ukraine since March, and 100 attack drones every day.

"Air defense is a problem all over the world – we are doing as much as we can as fast as we can," said Pistorius.

PSX benchmark index declines by 3.32%WoW

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained highly volatile throughout the week ended on April 11, 2025, with investors reacting to the US imposing reciprocal tariffs on all the countries, 29% tariffs on Pakistan. This eroded investor confidence causing KSE-100 index to fall by 3,938 points or 3.32%WoW during the week, closing in at 114,853 points.

On the first trading day, KSE-100 fell by as much as 7.3% with a market halt in order to control volatility, with the index recovering by day end, closing in at negative 3.3% by day end. However, with the US changing its stance on the tariffs imposed by announcing a 90-day pause on tariffs on all countries, keeping 10% base tariffs intact, except for China, KSE-100 index posted an opening of 2,941pts, up 2.58% on Thursday. Last day of the week once again saw a bearish session due to escalation of dispute between US and China, with the tariffs on China being 145% by the US and tariffs on US being 125% by China.

Expectation of further cuts in policy rate resulted in Commercial Banks eroding 1,399 points from the index. Falling global oil prices, with Brent down by 3.8%WoW, negatively impacted the E&P Sector.

Average daily trading volume was up by 14%WoW to 557 million shares, as compared to 488 million shares traded a week ago.

ADB revised Pakistan’s GDP growth forecast for FY25/FY26 to 2.5%/3.0% and inflation forecast for FY25/FY26 to 6.0%/5.8%, respectively.

Foreign exchange reserves held by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) were up by US$28 million to US$10.7 billion as of April 04, 2025.

Other major news flow during the week included: 1) Cement Sales decreased by 9.5%YoY, 2) Petroleum sales increased 5%YoY, 3) Auto Sales declined 8%YoY, 4) Pakistan delegation to visit United States for tariff discussion, and 5) GoP raises PKR427 billion in PIB auction.

Pharmaceuticals, Cement, and Textile Composite were amongst the top performing sectors, while laggards included Fertilizer, Textile Weaving, and Technology and Communication.

Flow wise, barring debt, major net selling was recorded by FIPI, Individuals and Mutual Funds with a net sell of US$19.4 million. Companies absorbed most of the selling with a net buy of US$19.3 million (including KOHC buyback of US$16.5 million).

Top performing scrips of the week were: PGLC, TGL, GLAXO, PSX, and LUCK, while top laggards included: EFERT, SRVI, PPL, ENGROH, and UBL. 

 According to AKD Securities, lower oil prices and favorable standing among exporting peers amid reciprocal tariffs would support the economy.

The benchmark index is anticipated to sustain its upward trajectory, primarily driven by strong earnings in fertilizers, sustained ROEs in banks, and improving cash flows of E&Ps and OMCs, benefiting from falling interest rates and economic stability. Top pick of the brokerage house include: OGDC, PPL, PSO, FFC, ENGROH, MEBL, MCB, HBL, LUCK, FCCL, INDU, ILP and SYS.

Saudia rejects displacement of Palestinians

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Friday rejected any proposal involving the forced displacement of Palestinians. He stressed that the residents of Gaza are deprived of the basic necessities of life.

Speaking at the meeting of the Ministerial Committee for International Action to End the War on Gaza, held in Antalya, Turkey, Prince Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s refusal of any scenario that includes removing Palestinians from their land, reports the Saudi Gazette.

He criticized attempts to link the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza to a ceasefire, and urged the international community to intensify efforts to secure unimpeded aid delivery.

Prince Faisal reiterated the Kingdom’s support for ongoing ceasefire negotiations and commended the mediation efforts led by Egypt and Qatar.

A joint communiqué issued after the meeting denounced any form of forced displacement or expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, the West Bank, or East Jerusalem.

The statement supported the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and encouraged the unification of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, under the Palestinian Authority.

The committee also called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in accordance with UN resolutions and condemned Israeli violations of international law in the occupied territories, including settlement expansion, home demolitions, and land confiscations.