Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Not all attacks on Gulf states coming from Iran, prominent Saudi Arabian editor suggests

    Not all attacks on Gulf states coming from Iran, prominent Saudi Arabian editor suggests

    In a televised discussion on Tuesday, Adhwan al-Ahmari, a prominent Saudi journalist and political analyst, presented a provocative assessment of the escalating tensions in the Middle East. During his appearance on Riyadh-based Asharq News, Ahmari articulated growing suspicions that the United States and Israel might be orchestrating a strategic trap aimed at drawing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations into direct military confrontation with Iran.

    The analyst pointed to numerous unverified claims of false-flag attacks in the region, suggesting these incidents may be part of a broader geopolitical maneuver. ‘Some perceive this conflict as an American-Israeli trap designed to implicate Gulf countries and pull them into a confrontation with Iran,’ Ahmari stated, noting that ‘this hypothesis gains credibility daily’ as trust between Washington and its GCC allies continues to deteriorate.

    Ahmari raised alarming questions about American commitment to the region: ‘What if the US announces after a week, ten days, or two weeks that it has achieved all its objectives and declares the war over, subsequently leaving Gulf states in an open-ended confrontation with Iran?’

    The Saudi analyst emphasized that military actions targeting Iranian leadership or nuclear facilities would prove futile without the complete dismantlement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He described the IRGC as an elite military institution specifically structured to protect Iran’s ruling system, distinct from the nation’s conventional armed forces.

    ‘Eliminating the Iranian supreme leader without neutralizing the IRGC achieves nothing. Dismantling the nuclear program without eradicating the IRGC accomplishes nothing. The IRGC would inevitably return with strengthened capabilities,’ Ahmari warned.

    He called for greater transparency from the Trump administration, demanding clear explanations regarding US motives and anticipated timeline for the conflict. President Trump initially projected a four-to-five-day engagement, which has since expanded to four-to-five weeks, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently suggesting an open-ended commitment—a development Ahmari characterized as ‘the strangest military campaign in history.’

    The analyst further described Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations hosting US military facilities as ‘suicidal behavior,’ noting that contemporary Iran appears significantly weaker than a decade ago due to the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests and severe economic crises exacerbated by intensified US sanctions and a US-backed bank collapse.

  • Polls open in Nepal’s first election after last year’s youth-led protests toppled the government

    Polls open in Nepal’s first election after last year’s youth-led protests toppled the government

    KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal commenced a landmark national election on Thursday, marking the first nationwide polling since last year’s violent youth-led uprising that toppled the previous government. This pivotal democratic exercise unfolds amid heightened security measures and widespread public anticipation for transformative leadership.

    Approximately 19 million eligible voters across the Himalayan nation are participating in this electoral process, with security forces maintaining vigilant patrols and safeguarding polling stations. Authorities have implemented comprehensive restrictions, including vehicle bans on streets and prohibitions on political rallies and public gatherings, ensuring a secure environment for the democratic process.

    The electoral system combines direct representation and proportional allocation: voters directly elect 165 members to the House of Representatives (the lower parliamentary chamber), while the remaining 110 seats in the 275-member legislature will be distributed through proportional representation based on party vote shares.

    This election has evolved into a compelling three-way contest, reflecting profound voter dissatisfaction with systemic corruption and demands for enhanced governmental accountability. The newly established National Independent Party, founded in 2022, has emerged as the front-runner, challenging the longstanding dominance of the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).

    Leading this insurgent movement is 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, the party’s prime ministerial candidate. Shah, who previously secured the Kathmandu mayoral race in 2022, became a central figure in the 2025 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. His campaign has resonated particularly with younger demographics, focusing on healthcare and educational reforms for impoverished Nepalis.

    The 2025 protests originated from opposition to a social media ban before escalating into a broad rebellion against governmental corruption and mismanagement. The demonstrations turned deadly when security forces opened fire on protesters attacking government buildings, resulting in dozens killed and hundreds injured.

    While traditional parties maintain dedicated voter bases, Shah’s movement has demonstrated superior mobilization capabilities during campaign events, signaling shifting political allegiances among youth seeking alternatives. The incoming administration will confront significant challenges, including addressing protestors’ demands for reform, combating entrenched corruption, and navigating delicate diplomatic relations with neighboring powers India and China.

    Vote counting begins later Thursday, with preliminary results anticipated over the weekend.

  • China sets a lower economic growth target of 4.5% to 5% for this year

    China sets a lower economic growth target of 4.5% to 5% for this year

    BEIJING — In a strategic move to navigate complex domestic and global economic challenges, the Chinese government has established a flexible growth target range of 4.5% to 5% for the current fiscal year. The announcement was delivered by Premier Li Qiang on Thursday during his keynote address at the inaugural session of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislative body.

    This calibrated objective represents a modest downward adjustment from the consistent 5% benchmark maintained over the preceding three years. The decision reflects a pragmatic approach by policymakers confronting a protracted downturn in the real estate sector, persistent external uncertainties, and fluctuating international demand.

    Analysts interpret the introduction of a target band, as opposed to a fixed figure, as a deliberate policy mechanism. It grants authorities enhanced operational flexibility to implement responsive fiscal and monetary measures throughout the year, adapting to evolving economic conditions. The official government work report explicitly framed the goal as aiming for the upper limit of this range, “while striving for better in practice,” signaling an underlying ambition to maximize performance.

    The revised target follows an official economic expansion of precisely 5% in 2023. This new guidance is widely perceived as an effort to balance the dual objectives of sustaining stable development and managing systemic risks, particularly those emanating from the beleaguered property market and trade tensions.

  • Exclusive: Iranian girls killed by ‘double-tap’ strikes on Minab school

    Exclusive: Iranian girls killed by ‘double-tap’ strikes on Minab school

    A horrific attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran, has resulted in the deaths of 165 individuals, predominantly girls aged 7-12, according to local officials. Multiple firsthand accounts from first responders and grieving parents describe a ‘double-tap’ strike pattern, with a second missile deliberately targeting survivors and rescue personnel.

    Eyewitness accounts from Red Crescent medics reveal a devastating sequence of events. Following an initial explosion, school administrators moved students to a prayer hall for safety and contacted parents for evacuation. The second strike then targeted this exact shelter area, resulting in catastrophic casualties. Approximately 170 students were present during the Saturday morning attack, which coincided with broader US-Israeli military operations against Iranian targets.

    The attack’s aftermath revealed scenes of utter destruction. A Red Crescent medic described encountering ‘bodies without heads, without hands, without legs,’ with dozens of severed limbs scattered throughout the school grounds. The devastation was so severe that 69 victims remain unidentified, requiring DNA testing for proper identification. Some parents could only recognize their children through personal effects such as gold bracelets or school bags.

    Rohollah, father of a slain student, recounted receiving a call from the school after the first strike. His daughter had survived the initial explosion only to be killed in the second attack while sheltering in the prayer hall. ‘We could only identify her from her school bag, which she was still holding. She was completely burned,’ he told Middle East Eye.

    The term ‘double-tap strike’ describes a military tactic considered a war crime under international law, previously documented in conflicts involving US and Israeli forces. Social media videos from Tehran and other locations suggest similar attack patterns occurring throughout Iran during recent hostilities.

    While some misinformation circulated suggesting Iranian forces bombed the school, this has been conclusively debunked. Satellite imagery confirms separate strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities approximately 200 meters from the school, but analysis indicates these could not have caused the catastrophic damage sustained by the educational facility.

    The international community has responded with outrage. A UN panel of experts has labeled the school attack ‘deeply disturbing’ and demanded investigation. Iran’s UN ambassador has formally characterized the incident as ‘unjustifiable’ and ‘criminal’ in communications to human rights officials. Both US and Israeli authorities have acknowledged they are investigating the incident but have not responded to specific allegations regarding the double-tap strike pattern.

  • World shares are mixed as oil prices climb higher and Iran launches new attacks

    World shares are mixed as oil prices climb higher and Iran launches new attacks

    Financial markets experienced significant turbulence on Thursday as escalating Middle East hostilities triggered a complex interplay between risk aversion and opportunistic buying. While Asian and European indices posted modest gains, U.S. futures declined following Iran’s renewed missile attacks against Israeli and American targets, marking the sixth day of intensified conflict.

    The immediate market impact manifested through energy markets, with Brent crude surging 1.8% to $82.87 per barrel and U.S. benchmark crude jumping 2.1% to $76.31. This oil price spike renewed inflation concerns and created uncertainty about corporate profitability, particularly as Iran threatened further retaliation and religious leaders issued inflammatory statements.

    Asian markets demonstrated remarkable resilience despite the geopolitical backdrop. South Korea’s Kospi staged a dramatic recovery, soaring 9.6% to 5,583.90 after Wednesday’s historic plunge, triggering multiple trading halts as investors sought bargains. The government responded with emergency measures, activating a 100 trillion won ($68.5 billion) financial stabilization package to curb volatility.

    Other regional markets followed suit with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 advancing 1.9%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.4%, and Taiwan’s main index gaining 2.6%. In China, the Hang Seng climbed 0.3% as Premier Li Qiang announced a 4.5-5% growth target at the National People’s Congress, alongside a 7% increase in military spending.

    European markets showed cautious optimism with Germany’s DAX rising 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 up 0.3%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 adding 0.4%. This contrasted with U.S. futures, where Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 0.2% and S&P 500 futures declined 0.1%.

    The dollar strengthened to 157.16 yen, reflecting its status as a safe-haven currency during geopolitical uncertainty. Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management noted that ‘the dollar remains the market’s preferred storm shelter’ during periods of global uncertainty, as capital gravitates toward the deepest liquidity pools.

    Market analysts characterized the previous day’s U.S. rally as a ‘classic relief rally’ rather than a sustained turnaround, with investors remaining cautious about prolonged conflict implications for inflation and economic stability.

  • US shifting from precision munitions to 2,000-pound bombs in Iran war, Hegseth says

    US shifting from precision munitions to 2,000-pound bombs in Iran war, Hegseth says

    The United States is transitioning to extensive deployment of conventional gravity bombs following assessments indicating significant degradation of Iranian air defense capabilities, according to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s Wednesday announcement.

    This strategic shift comes as Washington confronts dwindling precision weapon inventories while maintaining aerial superiority over Iranian airspace. The new operational approach will utilize 500-pound, 1,000-pound, and 2,000-pound GPS and laser-guided bombs from what Hegseth described as a ‘nearly unlimited stockpile.’

    The decision marks a substantial tactical departure from previous reliance on sophisticated standoff munitions including cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles. While these advanced systems minimized pilot exposure to enemy defenses, their production demands greater time and financial resources compared to conventional gravity bombs.

    This development follows Middle East Eye’s exclusive reporting that Iran secured Chinese surface-to-air defense systems after the June 2025 US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Despite US claims of complete air dominance, recent incidents suggest lingering Iranian capabilities—including Wednesday’s engagement where an Israeli F-35 reportedly shot down a Russian-made Yak-130 trainer aircraft operated by Iranian forces.

    Military analysts note the bomb strategy serves dual purposes: preserving precision missile inventories while leveraging cheaper alternatives made viable by suppressed air defenses. However, regional allies face growing concerns regarding interceptor shortages as Gulf states exhaust expensive air defense systems protecting urban centers against Iranian retaliation.

    The Pentagon faces global interceptor shortages, leaving Gulf partners awaiting replenishment while Iran simultaneously conserves its advanced ballistic missiles through increased deployment of lower-cost Shahed drones.

  • Israeli security forces believe Iran government ‘not close to collapse’

    Israeli security forces believe Iran government ‘not close to collapse’

    Israeli security officials have concluded that Iran’s ruling establishment remains functionally intact and shows no immediate signs of collapse despite sustaining substantial losses from coordinated US-Israeli military strikes, according to a report by Walla news. A military source within Israeli security forces indicated that Iranian authorities have adapted strategies based on lessons learned during the June 2025 conflict with Israel. While acknowledging Tehran’s military capabilities operate at a ‘moderate to weak’ level with evident operational confusion and significant challenges, the source emphasized that Iran maintains sufficient operational continuity and possesses ready replacements for any eliminated figures. The assessment notes Iran has encountered substantial difficulties in directing precision missile attacks against Israeli targets, resulting in a strategic shift toward increased attacks on Arab Gulf nations. This evaluation emerges amid conflicting statements from US and Israeli leadership regarding ultimate war objectives. President Donald Trump reiterated his administration’s commitment to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran while explicitly encouraging citizens to overthrow their government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed similar sentiments predicting a ‘quick and decisive’ action to enable democratic government transition. Conversely, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth contradicted this narrative, denying regime change constitutes official war policy. Military officials confirmed approximately 3,500 combined strikes against Iranian targets, while Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies reported Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles and 100 drones toward Israel across 123 attack waves, alongside significantly larger deployments—500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones—targeting Gulf Arab states, particularly the UAE, indicating Tehran prioritizes regional neighbors despite identifying Israel as its primary adversary.

  • Families of Iranian political prisoners fearful of bombs, illness and secret executions

    Families of Iranian political prisoners fearful of bombs, illness and secret executions

    Amid ongoing US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations, grave concerns are mounting for the safety of political prisoners detained across the Islamic Republic. Multiple detention facilities, including the infamous Evin Prison in Tehran, are situated perilously close to military bases and Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) compounds, placing inmates directly in the line of fire.

    The collateral damage extends beyond immediate bombardment risks to include severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Families express additional terror that authorities might exploit the wartime chaos to carry out unreported executions, echoing the 1988 mass killings during the Iran-Iraq conflict.

    Case studies highlight the desperation: The families of Jaber and Mokhtar Alboshoka, Ahwazi Arab cultural rights activists serving life sentences since 2011, have lost contact amid the attacks. Their cousin Kamil, based in London, articulated the dual fear of neglect and covert executions, noting that Sheiban Prison—where Jaber is held—adjoints an IRGC base making it particularly vulnerable.

    Prison conditions, already critical before the conflict, have deteriorated dramatically. The Narges Mohammedi Foundation reports dwindling medical access and food shortages in facilities from Qezel-Hesar to Lakan Prison. Kiana Rahmani, daughter of imprisoned rights campaigner Narges Mohammedi, pleaded for international attention, stating prisoners are ‘trapped between regime brutality and the thunder of explosions.’

    Former inmates confirm catastrophic overcrowding and health crises, with influenza spreading among 4,000 inmates at Sheiban Prison serviced by a single doctor. Minority groups, including Ahwazi Arabs and Kurds, face particular vulnerability, with both US and Israeli leaders attempting to leverage their grievances for geopolitical aims.

    The Kurdish women’s group KJAR expressed skepticism about Western intervention bringing genuine democracy, noting intensified security measures and worsening conditions. With civilian casualties from bombardment already exceeding 1,000, families of political prisoners fight to keep their loved ones from becoming forgotten casualties of war.

  • North Korean leader Kim inspects new warship, claims progress toward nuclear-armed navy

    North Korean leader Kim inspects new warship, claims progress toward nuclear-armed navy

    North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has personally overseen a significant naval modernization initiative, conducting two consecutive days of inspections of his country’s newest destroyer and witnessing live-fire cruise missile tests from the warship. According to state media reports released Thursday, Kim visited the Nampo shipyard on Tuesday and Wednesday to evaluate the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton destroyer first unveiled in April 2025, which he hailed as a transformative asset for expanding North Korea’s maritime strike capabilities.

    During the comprehensive inspection, Kim also examined progress on a third destroyer of the same class currently under construction at the Nampo facility, scheduled for completion by October to coincide with the ruling Workers’ Party founding anniversary. The Choe Hyon represents a technological leap for North Korea’s navy, designed to integrate multiple weapons systems including anti-aircraft defenses, anti-ship weaponry, and nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.

    South Korean military analysts have noted the likely involvement of Russian technical assistance in the destroyer’s development, given deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. However, questions remain about the vessel’s operational readiness despite Kim’s declaration that it has met all sea trial requirements.

    The naval demonstration comes amid a strategic pivot in North Korea’s military development priorities. After years of concentrated ballistic missile testing, Kim has increasingly emphasized naval power projection, including ongoing development of nuclear-powered submarines. At last month’s Workers’ Party congress, the leader outlined ambitious five-year goals that include deploying intercontinental ballistic missiles from underwater platforms.

    Kim characterized these advancements as representing ‘satisfactory progress’ in nuclear armament of naval forces, claiming they would ‘constitute a radical change in defending our maritime sovereignty.’ Analysts suggest this language may foreshadow a formal declaration of expanded maritime boundaries that could challenge South Korea’s control over disputed waters.

    The developments occur against a backdrop of heightened inter-Korean tensions, with Kim repeatedly rejecting the legitimacy of the Northern Limit Line sea boundary established after the Korean War. While maintaining aggressive rhetoric toward South Korea, the North Korean leader has simultaneously left open the possibility of dialogue with the United States, contingent on Washington abandoning its denuclearization prerequisites for negotiations.

  • Names and ages of children killed in strike on Iranian school

    Names and ages of children killed in strike on Iranian school

    A devastating aerial assault on the Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, has resulted in the deaths of at least 165 individuals, predominantly young children, according to multiple sources. The attack, attributed to joint US-Israeli military operations, employed a controversial ‘double tap’ tactic where a second strike targets first responders and survivors shortly after the initial explosion.

    Eyewitness accounts from Red Crescent medics describe a horrific scene where school administrators attempted to protect students by moving them to a prayer hall following the first impact. As parents arrived to retrieve their children, a subsequent missile struck the same shelter area, dramatically increasing the casualty count. School staff reported being rendered speechless by the overwhelming sounds of children’s screams and cries amidst the devastation.

    Middle East Eye has independently verified 61 victims through cross-referencing sources including Iran’s Gymnastics Federation, handwritten casualty lists, and Tasnim news agency reports. The documented fatalities include 25 boys, 26 girls, eight women, one man, and a two-month-old infant. Among the youngest confirmed victims were Sara Shayesteh (5), Ehsan Saleminia (6), and Salma Zakeri (6).

    US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth acknowledged the incident days after the strike, stating that an investigation was underway. The attack has sparked international condemnation and widespread mourning across Iran, with mass funerals attended by thousands of grieving community members.

    The extensive victim list includes:
    – Hana Dehqani, 8
    – Arya Bahadori, 9
    – Ahmad Soltani, 8
    – Athena Chamani-nezhad, 6
    – Mahna Zarei, 2 months
    – Mohammadreza Shahsavari, 8
    – Reza Ranjbar, 6
    – And numerous other children whose ages range from 5 to 12 years old

    This incident represents one of the deadliest attacks on an educational facility in recent Middle Eastern conflict, raising serious questions about targeting protocols and the protection of civilian infrastructure in warfare.