₦airaland Forum

madridguy:
Iran government don denied the statement India will suffer severely in the hand of Iran for their great attrocity against the Iranian naval officers.

Iran is set to allow India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian source told Reuters on Thursday amid conflicting reports about the situation at the world’s most vital oil trade chokepoint.

India, the world’s third-largest crude importer, gets about 40% of its oil imports from the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz.

Yet, an Iranian source based outside Iran told Reuters there was no such agreement for safe passage between Iran and India.

India's foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi earlier this week and discussed the security of maritime traffic through the Strait, among other issues, according to an Iranian readout of the call.

Officially, India’s External Affairs Ministry on Wednesday expressed concern that commercial shipping is being targeted in the war after a Thai ship bound for Kandla in India was attacked at the Strait of Hormuz.

“India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia,” the ministry said .

Iran has attacked at least 16 ships in the passage since Israel and the United States began their war on the country in late February.

“India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided.”

On Wednesday, Iran warned that oil prices could hit $200 per barrel soon.

As of the end of last week, dozens of Indian and South Korean oil tankers and more than 1,100 crew were stranded in and around the Persian Gulf as the Strait of Hormuz remains de facto closed to tanker traffic.

As many as 37 India-flagged ships with more than 1,100 crew in total were stuck around the Strait of Hormuz.

India has received a special one-month U.S. waiver to buy Russian crude loaded on any vessel, including blocked vessels, on or before March 5, 2026, until April 4, 2026. However, competition from China for the same barrels could limit the extent of India’s benefit, analysts say.

Global banking giant Citibank has temporarily shut several of its branches and financial centres across the United Arab Emirates as a precautionary measure amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The move affects most Citi branches across the country for a short period in mid-March, as financial institutions in the Gulf region tighten security measures to safeguard staff and customers during the ongoing crisis.

Citibank UAE branches are temporarily closed

According to the bank’s announcement, most Citibank branches and financial centres across the UAE will remain closed from March 12 to March 14 as part of a precautionary response to the evolving regional situation.

The bank said it expects to reopen the affected locations on March 16, once the situation stabilises. During the temporary closure, however, one branch located at the Mall of the Emirates will continue operating, ensuring customers still have access to in-person banking services if required.

Customers can also continue using digital banking services, ATMs and online platforms to carry out routine transactions during the closure period.

Regional security concerns prompt banking measures

The temporary closure comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East following threats linked to the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict, which has raised concerns for businesses and financial institutions operating in the Gulf.

In response to the situation, Citigroup, the parent company of Citibank, has also asked employees at its offices in Dubai International Financial Centre and Oud Metha to work from home until further notice. The measure aims to reduce risk while maintaining normal banking operations remotely.

The Gulf region hosts hundreds of international financial firms, which are adopting precautionary measures like remote work and temporary branch closures to prioritise employee safety.

Mall of the Emirates branch remains open

While most branches are temporarily closed, Citibank confirmed that one branch in Dubai will remain open to assist customers who require in-person banking services during the precautionary shutdown period.

The operational branch is located at Mall of the Emirates, one of the city’s major commercial hubs. The branch is expected to operate during regular banking hours, typically from around 10am to 4pm, though customers are advised to check ahead for any updated timings before visiting.

During this period, the branch will handle essential banking services, including account inquiries, urgent financial transactions, card-related issues, and general customer assistance.

However, customers may experience longer waiting times due to limited in-person service availability across the bank’s UAE network.

To reduce crowding and ensure smoother service, the bank is encouraging customers to rely on ATMs, online banking and mobile banking platforms for routine transactions such as transfers, bill payments and balance checks. These digital services remain fully operational and are available 24/7.

Other global banks take similar precautions

Citibank is not the only financial institution adjusting operations in response to the security situation. Reports indicate that Standard Chartered has also taken steps to evacuate staff from some Dubai offices and shift employees to remote working arrangements.

Meanwhile, HSBC temporarily shut its branches in Qatar as part of wider precautionary measures in the region.

These actions highlight how global financial institutions are closely monitoring the situation and adjusting operations to ensure safety while maintaining essential services.

IRGC warnings prompt financial sector response

The precautionary closures follow statements by Iranian military officials warning of retaliatory strikes against American and Israeli financial targets.

The threats represent an expansion of Iran's retaliatory campaign beyond military installations to include economic infrastructure, raising concerns about the vulnerability of the Gulf region's financial sector.

Citibank's decision reflects growing anxiety among international businesses operating in the region as the conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces continues to intensify.

Conflict expands to economic front

The banking sector disruptions mark a new phase in the regional conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran Feb. 28 and has steadily expanded to encompass multiple fronts.

With more than 1,300 Iranians killed, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and eight American service members dead, the conflict now threatens to disrupt the economic infrastructure of Gulf states hosting US financial institutions, potentially triggering broader economic repercussions across the region.

saintokwuluora:
When China and Russia says they will support you against USA, you better surrender to USA, ASAP. China and Russia knows no nation is worth sacrificing their own security and economy for!!! They can only fight USA if the threat is against them directly.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has never held a formal position in government, but his appointment as his late father’s successor amid the US-Israeli war on his country was not unexpected.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts appointed the 56-year-old mid-ranking religious scholar to the position on Sunday, just over a week after his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , was killed in United States-Israeli strikes.

Khamenei, who has strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and his late father’s still-influential office, is seen as a hardliner who will provide continuity in the country.

His appointment, which came after he lost both his father and his wife in strikes, was interpreted as a defiant choice signalling continuity as the Islamic Republic faces the biggest crisis in its 47-year history.

Khamenei received immediate backing from figures in Iran’s political and security establishment, including IRGC leaders, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ali Larijani , secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Outside the country, reactions were mixed:

Oman

Oman was a mediator in recent talks between Iran and the United States, which collapsed when the US and Israel unleashed their war on Iran last month.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said on Monday sent a “cable of congratulations” to Khamenei on his appointment as Iran’s new supreme leader, according to the official Oman News Agency.

Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also congratulated Khamenei on his appointment on Monday.

“We express our confidence in the ability of the new leadership in the Islamic Republic of Iran to manage this sensitive stage, and continue to strengthen the unity of the Iranian people in facing the current challenges,” al-Sudani said in a statement.

He reaffirmed Iraq’s solidarity and support for Iran and “all steps aimed at ending the conflict and rejecting military operations against its sovereignty, in order to preserve the stability of other countries in the region”.

United States

US President Donald Trump had previously dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei as a “lightweight”, and insisted he should have a say in appointing a new Iranian leader, which Tehran rejected.
On Monday, Trump told NBC News, “I think they made a big mistake. I don’t know if it’s going to last. I think they made a mistake.”

Later on Monday, he told CBS News: “I have no message for him.”

Trump said he has someone in mind to lead Iran, but did not elaborate.

Israel

The ⁠Israeli ⁠military has already threatened to kill any replacement for the late Ali Khamenei.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that Mojtaba Khamenei was a “tyrant” like his slain father, and would continue what it described as the Iranian “regime’s brutality”.

In a post on X featuring a picture of Mojtaba Khamenei and his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, holding guns, the ministry wrote: “Mojtaba Khamenei. Like Father Like Son”.

“Mojtaba Khamenei’s hands are already stained with the bloodshed that defined his father’s rule. Another tyrant to continue the Iranian regime’s brutality,” said the ministry.

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged “unwavering support” to Iran.

“I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said in a message to Khamenei, adding that “Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.

“At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication,” the Russian leader said.

China

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters on Monday that Iran’s decision to appoint the younger Khamenei was “based on its constitution”.

“China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected,” he said when asked about the threats against the new leader.

Beijing is a close partner of Tehran and condemned the killing of the former supreme leader, but it has also criticised the Iranian counterstrikes against Gulf states.

Yemen’s Houthis

Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Monday welcomed the appointment of the new supreme leader.
“We congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership and people, on the selection of Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at this important and pivotal juncture,” the group said in a statement on Telegram.

It called his selection “a new victory for the Islamic Revolution and a resounding blow to the enemies of the Islamic Republic and the enemies of the nation”.

Richtaiwo:
Sowore is busy ass licking that woman who accused Umahi of withholding her money (or what exactly was she even accusing him of).

So, he seems to have completely forgotten he has a court case.

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to revoke the bail granted to politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in his ongoing trial on charges bordering on cybercrime.

Justice Umar, who issued the warning on Thursday, also said he would issue an arrest warrant for Sowore’s forceful production in court if he fails to attend the next hearing.

The judge’s position followed observations and applications made by the prosecuting lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who noted that Sowore chose not to attend court despite evidence that he was served with a hearing notice through his team of lawyers.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly making false claims against President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as a criminal in a post he made on his X and Facebook accounts.

At Thursday’s hearing, Sowore was absent, and so were all his lawyers, numbering about 30.

Reacting to the development, Kehinde noted that the business of the day was for the defence to conclude its cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.

The prosecuting lawyer said he confirmed from the court’s registry that a hearing notice was served on the defendant through his lawyers, just as the prosecution was also served.

Kehinde said there was no reason why the defendant, who should ordinarily be present in court at every sitting, was not in court and had also failed to provide any explanation for the absence of both himself and his lawyers.

Citing the provisions of Section 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Kehinde prayed the court to, among other things, order the revocation of the bail granted to the defendant and issue a bench warrant for his immediate production in court to face his trial.

Ruling, Justice Umar confirmed that Sowore was duly served with a hearing notice through his lawyers but noted that the defendant had always attended court since the case began late last year.

The judge also observed that past adjournments in the case had been at the instance of both the prosecution and the defence.

He said the defendant should be given the benefit of the doubt since it was the first time he had been absent from his trial.

Justice Umar, however, warned that if Sowore fails to attend court on the next adjourned date, he would not hesitate to grant the prosecution’s request to revoke the defendant’s bail and issue an arrest warrant against him.

The judge then adjourned the case until March 16 for continuation of trial and ordered that a further hearing notice be issued to the defence.

helinues:
You didn't comprehend my comments. His time as Chairman, he had bad behavior hence been sacked.

Ganduje won more election than Oshiomole, had good relationship with others still resigned honorary.

That he Oshiomole was sacked because of some governors thinking he would impose president Tinubu in 2023 is a lie

helinues:
Half truth. You don't have a good behavior or how to relate with others.

No be you said somebody should go and die