Evening News -

THE HEADLINES:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian amid recent escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel; Calls for immediate de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.
Three hundred eleven more Indians return home from Iran under Operation Sindhu.
Iranian Parliament approves closure of Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route after US strikes on its nuclear facilities; Final decision to be taken by Iran’s top Security Council.
Home Minister Amit Shah says anti-Naxal operation to continue even during monsoon; Reiterates government’s resolve to wipe out Maoism by March next.
IMD issues red alert for extremely heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat till tomorrow.
And in Cricket, Hosts England bowled out for 465 against India’s 471 in first innings of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy’s opening Test.

<><><>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke with Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian and expressed deep concern at the recent escalations in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. The talks came hours after the United Stated inserted itself into Israel’s effort to cripple Iran’s nuclear program by carrying out strikes at three Iranian nuclear facilities including Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.

In a social media post, Mr Modi highlighted that they discussed about the current situation in detail. Prime Minister Modi reiterated call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability. President Pezeshkian briefed Prime Minister Modi in detail and shared his perspective on the current situation in the region. Mr Modi conveyed that India was on the side of peace and humanity.

Prime Minister Modi thanked President Pezeshkian for the continued support being extended for safe return and repatriation of the Indian community. The two leaders reiterated shared commitment to continue to work for strengthening bilateral cooperation in different areas including trade and economic cooperation, Science and Technology and people-to-people ties.

Earlier this morning, in an address to the nation, US President Donald Trump said, the objective of the attacks was to stop Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and put a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.

Later in the day, Senior Pentagon officials revealed new details about the US operation against Iran. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said, the Operation Midnight Hammer was the largest B-2 operational strike in the American history and inflicted extremely severe damage and destruction to the targets.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video message congratulated US President Trump on his decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, stating that it will change history. He further said, under Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly amazing things.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that they are assessing the outcomes of the US strikes on Iran, particularly at the Fordow enrichment facility. Israel’s military spokesperson emphasized that Israel maintains a variety of goals in Iran and is preparing for a potentially extended campaign. Israel continues to coordinate closely with the US and is monitoring the situation at all targeted sites.

“Iran has declared that it reserves all options for retaliation following the U.S. and Israeli strikes, warning of what officials describe as “everlasting consequences that could alter the strategic landscape of West Asia. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the American actions as a serious breach of international law and the UN Charter, while the country’s Atomic Energy Organization asserted that the attacks will not deter its nuclear programme. Tehran is reportedly evaluating several possible courses of action, ranging from direct military strikes on U.S. and Israeli targets in the region, to mobilizing its broad network of proxy groups across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen & Iranian officials have also hinted out the possibility of targeting U.S. personnel and assets across the region. As the situation is developing, regional and global actors are watching closely, aware that the next move could have far-reaching consequences. VINOD KUMAR, AKASHVANI NEWS, DUBAI.”

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Grossi in a social media post said, the agency will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow in light of the urgent situation in Iran.

In a related development, Iranian Parliament today approved the closure of the key oil shipping route Strait of Hormuz, after US strikes on its nuclear facilites. Iranian state media reported that the final decision will be taken by the Supreme National Security Council. The strait connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The narrow channel, approximately 33 km wide at the narrowest point, separates Iran from the Arabian Peninsula.The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical choke points, through which a fifth of global oil and a third of the world’s liquefied natural gas supply flows.

Meanwhile, talking to media at Istanbul in Turkiye, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, he will travel to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin tomorrow.

The US attack has triggered a wave of international reactions, with United Nations and several countries including UK, Ireland, France, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar calling for restraint and a return to diplomacy amid fears of a broader conflict erupting in the West Asia.

Amid the ongoing conflict, a total of 311 Indian nationals arrived in New Delhi this afternoon on a special flight from Mashhad in Iran. External Affairs Ministry said that one thousand 428 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran under Operation Sindhu so far. Talking to media, returning Indian nationals thanked the Indian government for their safe evacuation.

In view of the increasing hostilities in the region, Indian nationals in Iran have been advised to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline, and with the 24×7 Control Room established by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

The Emergency Helpline numbers of the Embassy of India in Tehran are +98 9128109115, and +98 9128109109. The email is cons.tehran@mea.gov.in.

Helpline numbers of 24 X 7 Control Room set-up by the Ministry in New Delhi are 800118797, +91-11-23012113 , +91-11-23014104, and +91-11-23017905. The Email is situationroom@mea.gov.in.

<><><>

In the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the West Asia, air travel across the region continues to face major disruptions. Airlines are now avoiding large parts of the region’s airspace due to growing security concerns, causing delays, longer flight times, and increased costs.

According to flight tracking services, commercial planes are being rerouted to avoid flying over countries like Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel. Instead, they are taking longer paths over safer areas such as the Caspian Sea, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia. This change is leading to higher fuel consumption and more expensive flight operations.

<><><>

Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of the campus of National Forensic Sciences University and a Central Forensic Science Laboratory in in Chhattisgarh’s Nava Raipur Atal Nagar this afternoon, marking a significant step in strengthening the criminal justice infrastructure in the state. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shah said, anti-Naxal operations will continue even during monsoon. He reiterated government’s resolve to wipe out Maoism from the country by 31st of March next year. He appealed to the Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream by availing the state government’s rehabilitation package.

Later in the day, the Home Minister chaired a high-level meeting in Raipur with senior officials of Left Wing Extremism affected states to review ongoing anti-Naxal operations.Mr Shah reached Raipur this afternoon on a two-day visit to Chhattisgarh.

<><><>

National Investigation Agency, NIA has arrested another key accused in a CPI (Maoist) Northern Region Bureau terror revival conspiracy case from Delhi. Investigations have revealed that the accused, who originally hails from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, had delivered a drone to leaders of the banned terror outfit in Chhakarbanda and Panchrukhiya forest area of Bihar to further its anti-national activities.

<><><>

India has undergone a decade of remarkable transformation, driven by the principles of Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan. Akashvani News brings you a special feature on the Government’s efforts over the last 11 years across key sectors. Today, we focus on India’s energy revolution – a decade of bold reforms, record capacity additions, and a strong push for clean, reliable, and inclusive power.

“Over the past decade, India’s power sector has witnessed robust growth, driven by rising demand, major infrastructure development, and strong policy support for both conventional and renewable energy sources. As of June 2025, the nation’s total installed power capacity has reached 476 gigawatts, with nearly half of it from non-fossil fuel sources. With renewable energy alone contributing 226 gigawatts, India now ranks third globally in solar power and fourth in wind energy capacity. The country achieved 100 per cent village electrification by April 2018 and has since connected more than 2.8 crore households to the grid. Power shortages have fallen from over 4 per cent in 2014 to just 0.1 per cent today, while per capita electricity consumption has surged by 45 per cent. The PM-Surya Ghar Yojana is lighting up homes across the country, while the PM-KUSUM scheme is empowering farmers with solar-powered irrigation. India is not just meeting its energy needs, it is leading the way toward a cleaner, greener future. With Vishnu’s Report, Akshit Vedyan, Akashvani News, Delhi.”

<><><>

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat till tomorrow. Heavy rainfall is also likely over Northwest and Northeast India for the next three to four days. The IMD said that the southwest monsoon has further advanced over parts of Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and some parts of Punjab.

<><><>

In Cricket, India were 22 for the loss of one wicket against Hosts England in their second innings on the third day of opening Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley in Leeds a short while ago. Earlier in the day, India managed a slender first-innings lead of six runs by dismissing England for 465, with help of Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational five-wicket haul, in response to their own first-innings score of 471.

Brilliant centuries from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, skipper Shubman Gill and his deputy Rishabh Pant powered India to a commanding position of 471 runs.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian amid recent escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel; Calls for immediate de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.
Three hundred eleven more Indians return home from Iran under Operation Sindhu.
Iranian Parliament approves closure of Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route after US strikes on its nuclear facilities; Final decision to be taken by Iran’s top Security Council.
Home Minister Amit Shah says anti-Naxal operation to continue even during monsoon; Reiterates government’s resolve to wipe out Maoism by March next.
IMD issues red alert for extremely heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat till tomorrow.
And in Cricket, Hosts England bowled out for 465 against India’s 471 in first innings of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy’s opening Test.