US Democrats Announce Steps to End ‘Illegal War’

US Democratic Congress member Debbie Wasserman Schultz has said that the new US Congress, which will take office in January, will take strong steps to stop the “illegal war” in Iran.

The Democratic Party gave this message after winning a majority in both houses of the US Congress in the recent midterm elections. In a message on X yesterday, the Florida congress member strongly criticised the Republicans. She referred to the Republican political slogan “MAGA”, which means “Make America Great Again”.

She wrote, “MAGA extremists tried to tear our country apart, but they failed.” She also said that the return of Democrats to Congress is important. She said Democrats would bring back America’s traditional values and end political extremism in the country. After taking office in January, Democratic lawmakers will work to speed up the process of ending the war.

Meanwhile, the US military has carried out another limited air attack on Iran’s strategically important Qeshm Island. The attack came after US President Donald Trump said that diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran were still going on.

Mr. Trump called the attack a “small and minor military action”. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Mr. Trump said talks with Tehran were going very well and that the two sides were in regular contact. However, he did not give details about the nature or plan of the talks. He also said that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was now open to ships because of the steps taken by his administration.

But soon after the statement about diplomatic efforts, local residents heard several explosions in the Suja area of Qeshm Island in Iran.

After arriving in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump told reporters that the attack targeted a possible Iranian air defence site. He said, “They were trying to build a small anti-aircraft device, and we destroyed it within 5 to 15 minutes.”

Iran May Change Its Nuclear Policy

Amid growing tensions in the Middle East, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a major warning.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said Iran is fully ready to change its current “nuclear policy” if the country’s leadership or higher authorities order it.

He also said that Tehran is continuing to increase the range of its missiles.

IRGC Claims 60 US Warplanes Shot Down and 7 Drones Captured

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that 260 enemy aircraft or other air vehicles were shot down during the conflict started by the United States. It also said that seven MQM-170 reconnaissance drones were captured in good condition.

IRGC Aerospace Force spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi gave the information at an event held at the Sarcheshmeh Cultural Complex in Tehran on the occasion of Aerospace Week.

Qatar Urges US and Iran to Reach Deal Quickly

Qatar has urged the United States and Iran to reach an agreement amid the ongoing political tensions in the Middle East.

The influential Middle Eastern mediator said Washington and Tehran should not wait endlessly for a “perfect or ideal deal”. Instead, they should reach an agreement quickly.

Qatar has been making diplomatic efforts behind the scenes for a long time to reduce the long conflict between the United States and Iran and maintain stability in the region. Qatar believes that a practical agreement is now needed to reduce the lack of trust between the two countries and avoid the risk of further conflict.

US Offers $20 Million Reward for Information on Iran’s Nuclear Programme

The United States has announced a reward of up to $20 million for important information about Iran’s nuclear programme.

The US wants information about Iran’s nuclear facilities, equipment, related people and the movement of such items. The US has also offered to help move informants to safe places. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said this in a post on X yesterday. It said the reward would be given under the US State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” programme.

The programme is also seeking information about people linked to Iran’s nuclear programme, including scientists.

Highest Alert Issued for US Citizens in Middle East

The United States has issued an emergency security warning for its citizens in the Middle East. The warning came amid possible attacks by the armed Houthi group and Iranian activities targeting US government officials. The US has told Americans in the Middle East to remain on the highest alert because of the growing security risks across the region.

In the security warning issued yesterday, the US said that flights in different Middle Eastern countries could be cancelled at any time because of the ongoing tensions. Airspace could also be closed for a short time, and travel across the region could be disrupted.

Sources: Fox News, Firstpost, Al Jazeera and Dawn.