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Washington, April 7 (IANS) The CIA used deception tactics and advanced intelligence tools to locate a downed US airman deep inside Iran, playing a critical role in a high-risk rescue mission that US officials said left Iranian forces “confused” and “humiliated.”

CIA Director John Ratcliffe told reporters at a White House news conference that the agency worked to both find the airman and mislead Iranian forces searching for him.

“We needed to locate the downed aviator as quickly as possible, while at the same time keeping our enemies misdirected,” he said.

Ratcliffe said the CIA deployed “human assets and exquisite technologies” to track the missing officer. He compared the effort to “hunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desert.”

The airman had been stranded in mountainous terrain after an F-15 fighter jet went down in Iran. He remained hidden while Iranian forces searched for him.

The CIA confirmed his location on Saturday.

“We achieved our primary objective by finding and providing confirmation that one of America’s best and bravest was alive and concealed in a mountain crevice,” Ratcliffe said.

That information triggered the final phase of the rescue.

​US officials said the agency also ran a deception campaign to divert Iranian attention.

“CIA executed a deception campaign to confuse the Iranians who were desperately hunting for our airman,” Ratcliffe said.

​Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation involved coordinated strikes, intelligence support, and special operations forces working together.

​“These are not routine operations… conducted in the heart of enemy territory,” he said.

​The rescue unfolded over more than two days. One airman was recovered earlier. The second, who was injured, evaded capture before being located and extracted.

​Ratcliffe said the mission highlighted the role of intelligence in modern warfare.

​“Flawless military operations… are hostage to flawless intelligence,” he said.

​He added that Iranian forces failed to stop the operation and were left embarrassed.

​“Our intelligence reflects that the Iranians were embarrassed and, ultimately, humiliated by the success of this audacious rescue mission,” he said.

​Officials said the mission combined surveillance, deception, and rapid execution to achieve its objective without American casualties.

​The operation comes as the US steps up military pressure on Iran while continuing parallel diplomatic efforts. Intelligence and covert capabilities remain central to that strategy.

​Such missions highlight how modern conflicts rely not just on firepower but also on real-time intelligence, surveillance, and electronic warfare.

​For countries like India, which closely track developments in West Asia, the episode underscores the growing role of intelligence-led operations in shaping military outcomes in the region.

--IANS

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Washington, April 7 (IANS) President Donald Trump said some US military officials opposed a high-risk rescue mission in Iran, warning it could cost hundreds of lives, but he approved it anyway to bring back two downed airmen.​

“Not everybody was on board,” Trump said. He added that “there were military people… that preferred not doing it.”​

The mission took place deep inside Iranian territory after an F-15 fighter jet went down. Two crew members ejected and were stranded behind enemy lines.​

Trump said the operation involved “hundreds and hundreds” of personnel. He said the risk was severe.​

“Hundreds of people could have been killed,” he said.​

Some officials advised against it.​

“They said… You just don’t do this. You don’t go into the heart of a very powerful military,” Trump said.​

He said he understood the concerns but went ahead.​

“I understood that, but I decided to do it,” he said.​

The rescue unfolded in two phases. The first airman was recovered in a daylight mission. The second, who was injured, evaded capture for hours before being located and rescued.​

Trump highlighted the dangers of flying over hostile territory.​

“We flew seven hours over Iran… that’s a long time over unbelievably hostile territory,” he said.​

He said US forces had weakened Iranian defences but not eliminated them.​

“They still have… a shoulder… missile,” he said.​

Military planners warned of heavy losses.​

“They said… we’re going to be sacrificing hundreds of people,” Trump said.​

In the end, both airmen were rescued. No American lives were lost.​

Trump said the outcome exceeded expectations.​

“If you had told me… nobody was even essentially injured, I would have said that would be impossible,” he said.​

Officials said the mission required coordination across air, ground, and intelligence units. It lasted more than two days.​

The operation comes amid high tensions between the United States and Iran. Washington has stepped up military pressure while keeping the door open for negotiations.​

The US military has long adhered to the “leave no one behind” principle. But such missions are rare. They are often avoided due to high risks.​

Operations inside Iran are especially complex. The terrain is rugged. The military presence is dense. That raises the stakes for any future action.

--IANS

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Washington, April 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Monday said the war with Iran could end swiftly under certain conditions, while claiming that US actions have already led to major political shifts inside the country.

“Well, it could end very quickly, the war, if they do what they have to do,” Trump told reporters at the White House, indicating that negotiations are ongoing.

He said the US is currently dealing with a different set of Iranian interlocutors. “The people that we’re negotiating with now… are much more reasonable,” Trump said, suggesting a shift in Tehran’s leadership approach.

Trump went further, describing the changes in Iran as significant. “You can call it what you want, but I call it regime change,” he said, adding that earlier leadership phases had been removed.

He said the current negotiating group is “not as radicalised” and “much smarter”, and expressed confidence that talks are being conducted “in good faith”.

At the same time, Trump made clear that military pressure remains central to US strategy. He said Iran’s ability to sustain the conflict is limited, noting that its remaining capabilities include “some missiles” and “some drones”.

He also pointed to a recent incident in which a US aircraft was shot down but both pilots survived, calling it a rare occurrence in such operations. “They got a little bit lucky… in war, you need a little bit of luck also,” Trump said.

Trump said the US has multiple pathways ahead, including the option of disengagement. “We could leave right now… but I want to finish it up,” he said, indicating a preference to see the conflict through to a defined outcome.

He also introduced an economic dimension to the conflict, suggesting that control over Iran’s oil resources could be a consideration. “If I had my choice… take the oil… keep the oil and would make plenty of money,” Trump said, while acknowledging that such a move may not align with domestic sentiment.

At the same time, he argued that public opinion in the US favours ending the conflict. “The American people would like to see us come home,” Trump said, even as he maintained that the war serves a larger strategic purpose.

The remarks highlight a dual-track US approach -- continued military pressure alongside negotiations — as Washington seeks to shape outcomes in Iran.

The evolving situation in West Asia remains closely watched globally, particularly by countries like India with deep economic, energy, and diaspora links to the region.

The Iran issue has long been a focal point of global diplomacy, especially after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, with its ripple effects continuing to influence regional stability and international energy markets.

--IANS

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Washington, April 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Monday marked Easter at the White House with a mix of religious messaging and political remarks, highlighting the country’s strength and recent military actions.

Speaking at the annual Easter Egg Roll event, Trump called it “a very special day” and said, “It’s a day where we celebrate Jesus… it’s a day where we celebrate religion.”

He used the occasion to project confidence about the state of the country. “Our country is doing so well, like it has never done before… we’ve broken every record on the stock market. We’ve broken every record in our military,” Trump said.

The President also pointed to a recent military rescue mission involving two US pilots in Iran, calling it an example of American strength. “What about the rescue that took place yesterday?… What we did yesterday is we picked up not one, we picked up two,” he said.

Trump described the operation as rare and risky, noting that such missions are often avoided because rescuing a single pilot can cost many lives.

He praised US forces, calling them “the greatest fighters on earth” and said the country has “the most powerful military any place in the world.”

The event also focused on domestic issues, including egg prices, which Trump said had fallen sharply. “They came down 40 per cent, 50 per cent,” he said, crediting his administration’s efforts.

More than 40,000 eggs were used for the event, supplied by farmers from across the country, he said.

First Lady Melania Trump also addressed the gathering briefly, wishing attendees a happy Easter and marking the event as part of the country’s “250th birthday”.

“I hope you enjoyed this beautiful day… Enjoy it and I hope you have a wonderful day,” she said.

Trump said the White House expected between 30,000 and 50,000 people to attend the event throughout the day.

He contrasted the current situation with the past, saying, “One year ago… our country was dead… Today, we have the hottest country anywhere in the world.”

The Easter Egg Roll is a long-standing White House tradition that brings thousands of families to the South Lawn each year.

The event, rooted in 19th-century customs, is one of the most visible public celebrations hosted by the US presidency and often blends seasonal festivities with messaging from the administration.

--IANS

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Washington, April 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Monday said ordinary Iranians want continued US military strikes, claiming they see it as a path to freedom amid a crackdown on protests.

“The Iranian people, when they don't hear bombs go off, they're upset. They want to hear bombs because they want to be free,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

He said protests inside Iran are being suppressed with force, deterring people from taking to the streets. “If they protest… they will be shot immediately,” Trump said, describing what he called an official directive.

Trump also referred to casualties among demonstrators. “As of this morning… 45,000 protesters have been killed,” he said, calling the situation “pretty bad.”

He argued that the absence of weapons among civilians is a key factor limiting resistance. “In Iran, they have absolutely no weaponry,” Trump said, adding that efforts to arm civilians had not worked as intended.

“We sent guns… they were supposed to go to the people so they could fight back… the people that they sent them to kept them,” he said.

Trump suggested that internal resistance could quickly alter the situation if conditions change. “If they had weapons… Iran would give up in two seconds,” he said.

He maintained that the Iranian public is constrained by fear of reprisals. “They've been told point-blank, if you come out… "You will be killed,” Trump said.

The remarks came as part of a broader defence of US actions in Iran, where Trump has argued that military pressure is necessary to achieve political change.

His comments also reflect a narrative that the conflict is being waged, in part, on behalf of the Iranian people rather than solely against the state.

--IANS

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Washington, April 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Monday brushed aside a question on whether his actions in the Iran war could amount to a war crime, responding tersely during an exchange with reporters at the White House.

Asked directly: "Are you committed to committing a war crime in this war with Iran?," Trump replied: “What else?”

The brief response came amid a wider back-and-forth on the ongoing conflict, where Trump defended the US campaign and reiterated his justification for the war.

He maintained that the conflict is centred on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “They’re foolish, because the war is about one thing -- Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Trump also described the scale of US military action in stark terms. “Because we are obliterating that country. And I hate to do it, but we’re obliterating,” he said, while warning of further escalation if Iran does not yield.

He argued that Iran’s military capability has been significantly degraded. “They can’t fight back. They have no capability… they have some missiles left. They have some drones left, but essentially, they have no capability,” Trump said.

At the same time, Trump suggested that the war could end quickly under certain conditions. “Well, it could end very quickly, the war, if they do what they have to do. They have to do certain things,” he said.

The President also defended US actions by linking them to broader regional security concerns. He said that without his earlier decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal, “Israel would have been gone, extinguished.”

During the exchange, Trump was also pressed on civilian impact and conditions inside Iran. He claimed that Iranians want the conflict to continue until change occurs. “The Iranian people, when they don’t hear bombs go off, they’re upset. They want to hear bombs because they want to be free,” he said.

He further alleged that protests inside Iran are suppressed with lethal force, saying demonstrators would be “immediately shot” if they take to the streets.

Trump also referred to casualty figures among protesters. “As of this morning… 45,000 protesters have been killed,” he said, calling it "pretty bad".

The remarks came during a public event at the White House, where the President took multiple questions on the war and US strategy in the region.

The exchange underscores growing scrutiny around the conduct of the war, particularly as civilian impact and rules of engagement draw international attention.

--IANS

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Washington, April 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Monday defended the war with Iran, saying it is aimed at stopping Tehran from getting nuclear weapons and could end quickly if conditions are met.​

“They're foolish, because the war is about one thing, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters at the White House.​

He said the conflict could end soon if Iran complies with US demands. “Well, it could end very quickly, the war, if they do what they have to do. They have to do certain things,” he said.​

Trump linked the current war to his earlier decision to exit the Obama-era nuclear deal. “Had we not broken the Barack Hussein Obama agreement… Israel would have been gone, extinguished,” he said.​

He also claimed US actions had reshaped Iran’s leadership. “We've had total regime change… The first regime was taken out. The second regime was taken out,” Trump said, adding that the current group negotiating with Washington is “much more reasonable.”​

Trump said talks with Iran were being held “in good faith” and described the current interlocutors as “not as radicalized.”​

At the same time, he struck a hard tone on military operations. “Because we are obliterating that country. And I hate to do it, but we're obliterating,” he said.​

He said Iran’s military capacity had been largely degraded. “They can't fight back. They have no capability… they have some missiles left. They have some drones left, but essentially, they have no capability,” Trump said.​

The president also pointed to a recent mission to rescue two downed US pilots in Iran as a sign of US military strength. “What we did yesterday is we picked up not one, we picked up two,” he said.​

Trump said the US still has multiple options. “We could leave right now, and it would take them 15 years to rebuild what they have… but I want to finish it up,” he said.​

He reiterated that the war is tied to preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power. “Iran is ready to not have a nuclear weapon… " You can't put nuclear weapons in the hands of a lunatic,” Trump said.

--IANS

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Islamabad, April 6 (IANS) Pakistan's chronic dependence on external debt reflects decades of fiscal mismanagement, entrenched elite capture and failure to broaden the tax base or restructure loss-making state-owned corporations, a report said on Monday.

According to a report in the ‘Khalsa Vox', Pakistan has announced to repay $3.5 billion in debt to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by the end of April 2026, projecting the decision as an “act of sovereign pride”.

It added that Abu Dhabi had sought the immediate repayment of funds originally extended in 2019 to help stabilise Pakistan’s balance of payments.

The report argued that Islamabad's narrative of “dignity” rings hollow when confronted with the facts.

“Pakistan had actively sought a two-year rollover and a reduction in interest rates from 6.5 per cent to around 3 per cent, citing improved credit ratings and lower global borrowing costs. The UAE refused. What Islamabad presents as a principled stand is, in reality, acquiescence to a creditor’s demand amid regional turbulence—the UAE’s own liquidity needs heightened by Middle East tensions following the US-Israel-Iran conflict,” the report detailed.

“For decades, Gulf deposits have functioned as de facto lifelines; their abrupt withdrawal reveals how fragile that dependence remains. This episode underscores a deeper contradiction in Pakistan’s foreign policy: a persistent desperation to project global standing while its economic reality tells a different story,” it added.

Asserting that Pakistan’s rhetoric of dignity is a cover for its “beggar’s bowl” image, the report said that the rush to repay is aimed at resetting the creditor-debtor dynamic and impressing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and global markets.

Rather the move by Pakistani authorities, it warned, risks signalling weakness — “a country so cash-strapped it must liquidate reserves to avoid the optics of prolonged begging.”

“The setback is multidimensional. Reserves are not abstract numbers; they underpin import financing for fuel, food and machinery in an economy already grappling with inflation, low growth and structural deficits. A sharp drawdown could force tighter monetary policy or fresh borrowing on harsher terms, undermining the very stability the repayment ostensibly protects. It also strains relations with other Gulf partners who may now question Pakistan’s reliability as a steward of deposits," the report emphasised.

“Far from enhancing global standing, this move advertises vulnerability. Pakistan’s leaders appear more concerned with performative sovereignty than sustainable sovereignty,” it further stated.

The report stressed that if the narrative of “national dignity” is to hold any significance, Pakistan must begin building an economy that does not swing from one rollover to repayment crisis.

“Pakistan’s decision to return the UAE funds may salve short-term pride, but it delivers a long-term economic blow. The world sees not a confident power but a nation still trapped in the cycle it claims to have broken. Until Islamabad confronts this reality—rather than dressing it in the language of dignity—such setbacks will recur,” it noted.

--IANS

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Dhaka, April 6 (IANS) Bangladesh faces significant challenges in preparing to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) list amid current macroeconomic instability and weak performance even as discussions continue on pre-graduation risks, local media reported.

Bangladesh's Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury chaired a meeting on LDC graduation held in Dhaka on Sunday. During the meeting, the UN-OHRLLS (United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States) presented a review report assessing Bangladesh’s preparedness, underscoring the key gaps in preparation.

Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Chairman of the Dhaka based organisation RAPID (Research and Policy Integration for Development), presented various aspects of the UN report.

The report highlights multiple shortcomings and risks in Bangladesh’s preparation for LDC graduation, warning that difficult political transitions and prolonged economic crises are undermining the country’s socio-economic achievements and putting graduation at risk, leading Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo reported.

There is also lack of preparation to tackle potential trade losses following graduation. Moreover, given the current macroeconomic instability and sluggish performance, reportedly raising concerns over pre-graduation risks.

According to the UN report, Bangladesh's financial preparedness to meet the challenges of LDC graduation remains weak, with limited implementation of the Smooth Transition Strategy (STS).

The report indicates that citing insufficient preparedness, a three year extension for Bangladesh's LDC graduation has been requested.

Speaking after the meeting, Bangladesh's Finance Minister Chowdhury said that given the current circumstances, Bangladesh cannot proceed with graduation from LDC status.

Describing the state of the economy as very poor, he noted that any consideration of LDC graduation would come only after addressing the difficult economic situation inherited from the previous Muhammad Yunus led interim government, Prothom Alo reported.

Following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government assuming office, Bangladesh sent a letter to the UN in February requesting a delay in LDC graduation, a position Chowdhury reiterated on Sunday.

The United Nations classifies the world’s less advanced developing countries as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) granting them various forms of support and concessions from the international community aimed at promoting development and eventual graduation.

The Committee for Development Policy (CDP), under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), recommends which countries should transition out of LDC status.

LDC countries are evaluated every three years, with graduation eligibility determined by three criteria: per capita income, human resources, and economic and environmental vulnerability.

--IANS

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Islamabad, April 6 (IANS) The recent detention of a former Elite Force officer, who is believed to have been involved in the 2023 Greek boat capsize incident, showcases Pakistan government's laidback approach to human trafficking, a report has stated.

"Human sale is a dark blot on Pakistan’s conscience. Although global collaborations have attempted to end the scourge, our lawmakers’ efforts remain a letdown. Thousands of Pakistanis are traded annually, yet the conviction rate refuses to improve. Recently, the FIA arrested seven suspects in fake visas, visa fraud and human trafficking cases from Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Bahawalpur," an editorial in Pakistan's leading daily Dawn mentioned.

"Separately, the agency has detained a most-wanted human trafficker. The fact that he is a former Elite Force officer who is believed to have been involved in the 2023 Greek boat tragedy is a scathing indictment of the government’s approach to crime," it added.

Human traffickers web of deceit increases in times of conflict and rising poverty. 2025 was the second consecutive year, where more than 2,700 fatalities were reported across the world. According to the data collected under the International Organisation for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project, at least 2,722 people from the Asia-Pacific region died or disappeared during illegal international migration.

As many as 109 Pakistani nationals were among at least 2,722 persons from the Asia-Pacific region who died or disappeared around the world in 2025 while trying to enter other countries illegally, according to the latest statistics by IOM.

"Clearly, there is a long way to go before the rights of victims of human trafficking and smuggling are guaranteed, and citizens choose not to leave. Law-enforcement has indeed been empowered by many laws. But social sins thrive amid legal ambiguities, influential patronage, corruption and a culture of impunity," an editorial in Dawn mentioned.

The 2018 Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, despite amendments, imposes fines instead of mandatory imprisonment, and the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act has remained ineffective due to its poor implementation.

Last week, Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confirmed the arrest of a most wanted human trafficker on FIA red book who was involved in the June 2023 Greece boat capsize. The accused was earlier serving in Pakistan's Elite Force.

In January, the arrested trafficker had resisted and attacked a FIA team during a raid conducted in Majra Shumali village of Pakistan's Gujrat district. Police had booked him for attempted murder and other changes, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

According to a senior FIA official, the most-wanted human trafficker Waqas Ali, alias Waqas Butt, was arrested by FIA Composite Circle, Gujrat. The accused is mentioned in the red book of 2025 and is a proclaimed offender involved in several FIA cases.

The accused was directly connected to the Libya shipwreck in 2023, according to the official. He extorted around Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 3 million from each of the affected families by promising to send them to Greece through illegal sea routes from Libya. The accused is a former Elite Force constable dismissed from the service in 2023 from Gujrat police.

--IANS

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