InternationalTaliban Releases U.S. Citizen Dennis Keill After Judicial Review
The Taliban released U.S. citizen Dennis Keill following a Supreme Court review and his mother's request, with the UAE facilitating his transfer. The U.S. demands the release of other detained Americans amid accusations of hostage diplomacy.
ReliableUS Official Welcomes Release of American Detainee Dennis Cole from Taliban Custody
Dennis Cole, an American detained by the Taliban for over a year, has been released following a family request and is returning to the US. A senior US counterterrorism official hailed the move and vowed continued efforts to free Mahmoud Habibi and Paul Overby.
ReliableTrump Hostage Envoy: No Deal or Payment for American's Release by Taliban
The Taliban released U.S. citizen Dennis Keil without any deal or payment from Washington, Trump's hostage envoy Adam Boehler said on X, pledging continued efforts to free other detained Americans including Mahmoud Habibi and Paul Overby.
ReliablePakistan Deports 220 Afghan Migrants and 398 Prisoners to Islamic Emirate During Eid
Pakistan deported 220 Afghan migrants and 398 prisoners to the Islamic Emirate via Spin Boldak during the three days of Eid, with Kandahar officials noting an increase from previous periods. Returned migrants reported harsher treatment, including beatings and denial of facilities even for medical patients.
ReliableDiplomatic Sources Say US Vice President Vance May Lead Iran Peace Talks in Islamabad
Diplomatic sources cited by The Guardian indicate US Vice President JD Vance may lead peace talks with Iran in Islamabad, facilitated by Pakistan following a Trump-Munir call. Iran's Ghalibaf has denied involvement, and the White House called discussions sensitive without confirming details.
ReliableAfghanistan's Deputy Water and Energy Minister Attends Tashkent International Water Week Forum
Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Water and Energy, Mujib al-Rahman Omar Akhundzada, is attending the International Water Week Forum in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to discuss sustainable water management and regional cooperation. The participation aims to share Afghanistan's water sector updates and foster joint projects amid climate challenges.
ReliableGermany Deports Two Afghan Men Convicted of Crimes to Kabul
German authorities deported two Afghan men convicted of serious crimes from Hamburg to Kabul via Istanbul on regular flights, despite tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The action follows a prior charter flight directly coordinated with the Taliban by Germany's Federal Interior Ministry.
ReliableSaudi Crown Prince Urged Trump to Continue War Against Iran, New York Times Reports
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged U.S. President Donald Trump to continue the war against Iran as a "historic opportunity" to remake the Middle East, according to sources cited by the New York Times. Officials expressed concerns over escalation and economic disruptions while broader military options were discussed.
ReliableIslamic Emirate Foreign Minister Meets Khalilzad, Announces Release of Detained American
The Islamic Emirate's Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi met with former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and others, announcing the release of a detained American citizen after a Supreme Court decision on a pardon request. Khalilzad praised the move and called for ongoing talks between the sides.
ReliableTaliban Releases American Citizen Dennis Keill After Supreme Court Review
The Taliban released American professor Dennis Keill from over a year of detention in Kabul after their Supreme Court ruled his sentence served, prompting welcomes from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a step against 'hostage diplomacy.' U.S. officials continue pressing for the release of other detained Americans including Mahmoud Habibi.
ReliablePakistan Offers to Host Iran-US Peace Talks
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered to host peace talks between Iran and the US if they agree, amid diplomatic efforts by India, China and Iran to de-escalate the Middle East conflict. Iran's Red Crescent reported extensive damage to civilian infrastructure from airstrikes.
ReliableUN Experts Declare Pakistan's Attacks on Afghanistan Illegal
UN experts have ruled Pakistan's attacks on Afghanistan illegal under international law, citing a lack of evidence tying the Taliban to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan assaults and reporting at least 289 civilian casualties and over 115,000 displaced since recent clashes. They condemned a specific airstrike on a rehabilitation center and called on all parties, including the Taliban, to protect civilians and uphold international law.
ReliableFamily of Detained US-Afghan Citizen Mahmoud Habibi Demands Release After Dennis Keil Freed from Taliban Custody
The family of US-Afghan citizen Mahmoud Habibi welcomed the release of American Dennis Keil from Taliban detention and demanded Habibi's immediate freedom after his detention since August 2022. Advocates from Global Reach and Trump-era officials called for increased pressure on the Taliban, including through a US designation of Afghanistan as a state sponsor of unlawful detentions.
ReliableIranian FM Warns South Korean Counterpart on Strait of Hormuz Closure in Phone Call
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun in a phone call that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to ships from countries supporting attacks on Iran but open to others with Tehran's coordination. Araghchi blamed U.S. and Israeli actions for regional instability, while affirming Iran's commitment to defending its sovereignty.
ReliablePakistan Launches Post-Eid Operations to Deport Undocumented Afghan Migrants
Pakistan has begun post-Eid operations to deport undocumented Afghan migrants, including strict measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a voluntary return program starting Wednesday and a resumed census in Peshawar. The Taliban's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriates reported over 3 million Afghan returns from Iran, Pakistan and Turkey this year.
Taliban Release American Citizen on Eid al-Fitr
The Taliban released American citizen Dennis Coyle from prison on Eid al-Fitr following a family pardon request and Supreme Court approval, amid U.S. warnings to free all detained Americans. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with a U.S. delegation and thanked the UAE and Qatar for their roles.
ReliableIslamic Emirate of Afghanistan Releases American Detainee Dennis Coil
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan released American detainee Dennis Coil after its Supreme Court deemed his sentence served, prompted by a request from his mother. Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Zalmay Khalilzad and others, stressing judicial processes and consular services, while Khalilzad praised the move.
ReliableBritain Provides Additional Three Million Pounds in Aid to Afghanistan
Richard Lindsey, UK Special Representative for Afghanistan, announced Britain is providing an additional three million pounds (257 million afghanis) in aid for nutrition and natural disaster support, bringing the fiscal year's total bilateral aid to 154 million pounds.
ReliableBahrain Submits UNSC Draft Resolution Allowing Force to Protect Shipping in Strait of Hormuz
Bahrain submitted a UN Security Council draft resolution authorizing "all necessary means" to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of threats and backed by Gulf states and the US, though vetoes from Russia and China make passage unlikely. France proposed a milder alternative focused on de-escalation and diplomacy.
ReliableWhite House Assessing Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf as Potential Partner, Politico Reports
Politico reports that the White House is quietly assessing Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a potential partner, citing unnamed US officials. Trump called recent contacts "constructive" while Netanyahu vows continued Israeli military operations against Iran.