New Delhi: Fast bowler Jasprit boomrah He endured one of the toughest seasons of his T20 career as his IPL 2026 campaign ended with an undefeated record. Mumbai Indians The fast bowler was rested for the team’s final league game against Rajasthan Royals, ending the season with just four wickets in 13 matches. Bumrah finished with a bowling average of 102.50, the worst for any bowler in T20 history who has bowled 40 or more overs in the same tournament.The poor campaign came as a surprise as Bumrah had entered the IPL after a successful T20 World Cup, where he played a major role in India’s title win. However, Mumbai Indians also struggled badly this season and were quickly eliminated from the playoff race.A major reason behind Bumrah’s poor form was fitness problems. Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene revealed that the fast bowler had been struggling since the T20 World Cup, which affected both his rhythm and pace during the tournament.“I think he’s coming back from the World Cup as well [Bumrah] “There was a little bit of a niggle that he played with throughout the World Cup,” Jayawardene said.“So, you can see that the speed…reduced because of that.”Jayawardene also said that teams approached Bumrah differently this season as other Mumbai bowlers failed to generate pressure from the opposite end.“I wouldn’t worry about the booms. I think he’s in good spirits and will come back strongly,” he said.Bumrah has now been rested for India’s upcoming home series against Afghanistan as the team management hopes to regain full fitness ahead of the busy international season later this year.
Australian Foreign Minister to visit India for Quad FMM
Canberra: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that she will visit India to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and hold the Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.Wong said, “In these uncertain times, the Quad is a vital partnership – four countries working together to shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region. Together, Australia, India, Japan and the United States are delivering concrete results on shared interests, including maritime security, critical mineral supplies, infrastructure development and disaster relief.”She said, “While in India, I will be holding the 17th Australia-India Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue with my counterpart, Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. The partnership between Australia and India has never been more important.”Wong’s office further said that Australia and India are deepening cooperation.“As comprehensive strategic partners, Australia and India are deepening cooperation in trade and investment, defense and maritime security, climate and energy transition, strategic technology, and education and skills, with an enduring social relationship at the heart of our partnership. The Albany Government will continue to strengthen Australia’s relationship and work even harder in new and existing alliances such as the Quad as we build Australia’s future in an increasingly less stable world.”At the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Ms Penny Wong, Foreign Minister of Australia; Japan’s Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi; and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio will pay an official visit to New Delhi to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 26 May 2026.Keeping in mind the Quad’s vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Ministers will take forward the discussions to be held in Washington, DC on 1 July 2025. They will exchange views on advancing Quad cooperation in priority areas, review progress on ongoing Quad initiatives, and consider recent developments in the Indo-Pacific region and other international issues of mutual concern.
“It’s a huge honour”: Padma Shri awardees Dharmilaal Chunnilal Pandya, Sunita Godbole, Trupti Mukherjee express gratitude before Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony
Ahead of the Padma awards ceremony to be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital on Monday, several Padma Shri awardees expressed gratitude, pride and disbelief at being recognized with one of the country’s highest civilian honours.On being honored with the Padmashree 2026 in the field of arts, Dharmalal Chunnilal Pandya told ANI, “I am very happy to receive the Padmashree award. The Government of India has appreciated my hard work over so many years. I have no words to express my gratitude. I started working at the age of 25 and even today at the age of 94, I continue to work.”Kantha embroidery artist Trupti Mukherjee also expressed great happiness and said, “… I am happy to be honored with Padma Shri. This award has brought happiness not only to me but also to the people around me.”Ethnomusicologist Dr. Lars-Christian Koch, who is also set to receive the Honorary Padma Shri in the field of arts, said, “It is a great honor to receive this award. I love India deeply. I lived in India for a long time, and I never expected this kind of recognition, so it was a wonderful surprise. My connection with India started with learning Indian music and getting involved in social work in Germany to promote Indian culture. My teacher from West Bengal introduced me to Indian culture, especially Bengali traditions, and it profoundly changed my life and personality.”On the other hand, Dr Sunita Godbole, who was awarded the Padma Shri 2026 in the field of medicine, spoke and described it as “deeply gratifying”.She said, “This award has been given in the field of medicine. Apart from health work, I have also been associated with women’s organizations. I am not just a doctor but a social worker. The work we have done will now be recognized more widely. Dantewada, which was once infamous for Naxalism, will now be known for healthcare, education, employment, environment protection, forest development and forest-based livelihoods. It is extremely satisfying.”Padma Award – one of the highest civilian awards in the country, is awarded in three categories, namely Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.Awards are given in various disciplines/fields of activities, such as arts, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil services, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of a high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field.The Padma Awards 2026 is scheduled to be held on May 25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Draupadi Murmu will confer the prestigious civilian honor on the recipients.
Kolkata: The BJP government in Bengal has started “holding centres” in all 23 districts for illegal Bangladeshi, Rohingya and other immigrants awaiting deportation, resuming a process halted for a year by the previous Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in defiance of Home Ministry guidelines, report Debashish Konar and Srishti Lakhotia.The order, issued by the state home department to all district magistrates over the weekend, came 72 hours after CM Suvendu Adhikari told reporters that the government will follow the “detect, remove and deport” principle in all cases of illegal immigration. There will be a holding center in each district where prisoners can be kept for 30 days.“Police cannot harass or detain those entering India before December 31, 2024. Those who are not covered under CAA are illegal immigrants and infiltrators. The state police will detain them and hand them over to the BSF, who will liaise with the BDR (Bangladesh Rifles, now known as Border Guard Bangladesh) and deport them, the official said.
TMC government had challenged the Center on immigrant holding centers
The previous Bengal government had refused to implement the Union Home Ministry’s guideline issued on May 2, 2025, alleging it was part of the Centre’s plan to snatch citizenship of a section of Indians. Trinamool had indicated that this was an extension of NRC, CAA and ultimately SIR. Former CM Mamata Banerjee had announced that as long as her party is in power, no one will be sent to the detention center in Bengal. Parallels were drawn with “transit camps” in Assam, where detainees identified for deportation by the NRC tribunal were kept.The government defines holding centers as special facilities, distinct from prisons, where individuals suspected of entering or remaining in the country illegally are held while their nationality is being investigated, as well as foreign nationals who have completed a prison sentence but must remain in detention until they receive deportation or repatriation clearance. The NCRB report for 2024 says that 905 people were arrested in Bengal that year under the Foreigners Registration Act and Foreign Nationals Act. According to last year’s NCRB report, foreigners constituted 9% of the population of 25,774 in Bengal’s jails. Bangladeshis constitute the largest number, comprising 778 convicts and 1,440 undertrials.
Suriya’s ‘Karuppu’ is showing no signs of slowing down at the box office. The fantasy action entertainer directed by RJ Balaji recorded another strong day on its second Sunday.According to Sainiklak, ‘Karuppu’ collected Rs 14.45 crore nett on its 10th day. The film saw a healthy jump with its collection of Rs 12.45 crore on the 9th day. The total India net collection of the film has reached Rs 148.55 crore.
Worldwide collection of ‘Karuppu’ has reached Rs 236.78 crore.
The worldwide gross collection of ‘Karuppu’ has now reached Rs 236.78 crore.Of this, India’s gross collection is Rs 172.03 crore while overseas territories have contributed Rs 64.75 crore.
‘Karuppu’ shows strong recovery after weekday decline
‘Karuppu’ experienced a decline on weekdays after its opening weekend. The film earned Rs 12.75 crore on the fifth day, Rs 10.70 crore on the sixth day and Rs 8.10 crore on the seventh day.However, the second weekend brought new momentum. On the 9th day the net earning was Rs 12.45 crore, while on the 10th day the net earning improved to Rs 14.45 crore.The first week closed with a strong earning of Rs 113.85 crore. The second weekend bounce has helped the film easily cross the Rs 148 crore mark in net collections in India.The film was shown in thousands of shows throughout its run. On the 10th day alone, it was shown in 5,091 shows, with an overall occupancy of 47.7 percent.
Surya talks openly about production struggles
Suriya recently attended a special meet and greet event with fans and media members in Chennai. During the conversation, the actor opened up about the making of ‘Karuppu’ and revealed some of the challenges faced by the team.The actor revealed that the production faced financial difficulties during the filming process.Speaking about the climax song, the actor said, “We shot that climax song five months after locking the edits. Even after the filming was completed an assistant suggested adding a song dedicated to Karuppasamy despite financial constraints.”Disclaimer: The box office numbers and data in this article are compiled from public and industry sources. Unless explicitly noted, all figures are approximate, representing a fair representation of the film’s box office performance. These totals may change as official studio data is updated or additional international market reports are finalized. This data is provided by us for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Amid the ongoing war in Iran, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would meet negotiators during the day to discuss Tehran’s latest offer and a final decision on resuming military action would be taken on Sunday.Speaking to Axios, Trump said it was ‘solidly 50/50’ whether the United States would be able to achieve a ‘good’ deal with Iran or instead ‘blow them up in the state.’“I think one of two things will happen: Either I’m going to hit them harder than ever, or we’re going to sign a good deal,” Trump told Axios.Click here to watch live updates on Iran war The comments come amid intense diplomatic efforts to forge a ceasefire and comprehensive understanding between Washington and Tehran following weeks of escalating conflict between several Middle Eastern countries.Trump was expected to meet later Saturday with key advisers, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Vice President J.D. Vance, to review Iran’s latest response and decide on the next course of action, according to Axios.The latest draft resolution has reportedly emerged after Pakistan-led mediation efforts. Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has been playing the role of mediator between the parties, left Tehran on Saturday after meeting senior Iranian officials.Pakistan later said that ‘encouraging progress towards a final understanding’ had been made, although no final agreement had been reached yet.Regional mediators including Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been holding several rounds of talks over the past 24 hours in an effort to bridge differences between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US negotiators.Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman also confirmed on Saturday that Tehran and Washington were in the final stages of discussing a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.The proposed agreement reportedly includes gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing the US blockade on Iran, and releasing frozen Iranian funds. The spokesman said a broader and more detailed agreement would be followed by a negotiation period of 30 to 60 days.However, major sticking points remain unresolved. Trump has insisted that any final agreement must address uranium enrichment and the future of Iran’s rich uranium reserves.Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said there had been ‘some progress’ in talks, but reiterated that Iran ‘can never have a nuclear weapon’ and that the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened ‘without a toll’.The ongoing talks have reportedly exposed divisions among US allies and advisers. Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios that some regional leaders had urged Trump to launch stronger military strikes against Iran to weaken the regime and secure better terms, while others warned that attacking Iran could destabilize the Gulf’s oil infrastructure and threaten shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.Read this also Iran agrees to give up enriched uranium as deal with Donald Trump ‘significantly negotiated’: ReportMeanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials are reportedly in close touch with the White House regarding the emerging deal.While Trump described Netanyahu as ‘cracked’, Israeli officials have expressed concern over the terms currently being discussed and have reportedly insisted on another round of military strikes.In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump announced that an agreement had been ‘extensively negotiated’ between the United States, Iran, and several allied countries.In the post, Trump said he had had a ‘very good conversation’ with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, which he described as a “memorandum of understanding related to peace.”“An agreement has been substantially negotiated, which is subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and various other countries listed,” Trump wrote.He also revealed that he had spoken to Netanyahu separately and said that the conversation had been ‘very good’.Trump said the final aspects of the agreement were still under discussion and would be announced soon. He also indicated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be a key part of the agreement.This diplomatic success has come after several months of increasing tension and military pressure in the region. US Central Command recently announced that it had redirected approximately 100 commercial ships during a maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports as part of efforts to pressure Tehran economically.
New Delhi: With Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan seeking a detailed report from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) following widespread complaints from students and parents over technical glitches during the post-result revaluation process, the Center has called in experts from IIT-Madras and IIT-Kanpur and roped in four public sector banks to stabilize the system and strengthen the digital infrastructure of the board.Meanwhile, CBSE has extended the last date to apply for scanned answer sheets for re-checking after the disruptions till midnight of May 25.Sources said Pradhan took serious cognizance of repeated reports of server downtime, payment gateway failures, login disruptions, blurry scanned copies of answer sheets and operational lapses faced by candidates who had applied for verification and revaluation of Class XII board papers.Officials have been asked to explain the reasons behind the technical failures, preparedness measures adopted before opening the reassessment window, and accountability of the agencies and vendors managing the digital infrastructure.The Education Minister directed that a team of professors and technical experts from IIT-Madras and IIT-Kanpur be appointed to assist CBSE in ensuring a glitch-free revaluation process following reports of technical challenges in the post-examination service portal of the board.According to the ministry, expert teams will implement focused technical improvements in systems and technical workflows and will specifically check portal stability, server performance and overall IT infrastructure robustness. The IIT teams will also assist CBSE in taking corrective measures to ensure that the login authentication system, user access mechanisms and payment gateways function smoothly and accurately.Pradhan also spoke to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on technical and payment related issues faced by students during the process. After discussions, it was decided that four public sector banks – State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank and Indian Bank – will assist CBSE in strengthening its payment gateway infrastructure and integration with the post-examination service portal.Banks are expected to help the Board in setting up robust payment protocols to ensure timely transactions, resolve payment irregularities and facilitate automatic refunds in cases of overpayments. Pradhan also issued instructions to CBSE to completely overhaul its payment gateway system.“Student interests are paramount and all necessary corrective measures need to be taken by CBSE on priority basis to ensure a transparent, efficient and student-friendly system,” Pradhan said in the statement.
MUMBAI: A proxy advisory firm is pressuring India’s central bank to require Tata Sons to be taken public, arguing that its size and systemic importance are closer to the disclosure standards applicable to major financial institutions rather than private holding companies.In a report titled “Tata Sons: The Listing Imperative”, Ingovern said the case for listing is stronger where control is exercised through a complex trust-based holding structure, as governance should not rely solely on private consent. The firm rejected arguments that the listing would erode Tata Sons’ ability to take a long-term view or prop up struggling group companies, saying India’s market history provided no evidence that going public would “break down” the group’s longstanding management model.The report comes amid an ongoing debate over the future of one of India’s most prominent corporate holding structures. NA Soonawala, former vice-chairman of Tata Sons, had argued against the listing, saying the existing ownership model enabled long-term investment and support for weaker peers without the pressure of public markets.The RBI has placed Tata Sons within the upper tier of its Chief Investment Company (CIC) framework, indicating enhanced monitoring, while its application for deregistration is pending. The regulator has indicated in various communications that large CICs should be listed.InGovern also dismissed concerns about the so-called holding-company exemption as a reason to avoid listing, arguing that “the purpose of regulators is not to preserve private valuation convenience; they are to ensure fair disclosure and orderly markets,” and that valuation exemptions are a market outcome, not a regulatory justification for continued ambiguity.Concerns that greater transparency would expose weaknesses in subsidiaries are exaggerated, the report said, noting that consolidated and subsidiary-level financial information is already built into Tata Sons’ reporting architecture.
Knoll fans, rejoice! The two-time champion faces a tough challenge from 22-year-old local hope Giovanni Mapetschi Pericard in the opening round of the men’s singles competition at the 2026 French Open on Sunday, May 24. The 39-year-old looked happy and comfortable at the end of a grueling two-hour and 51-minute encounter on Court Philippe Chatrier in Paris.
There were continuing concerns about a serious shoulder injury, derailing her preparations for the clay-court Grand Slams; However, Djokovic brushed aside those fears. She celebrated with a light-hearted, energetic on-court dance after weathering Maphetshi Pericard’s storm in four sets, recovering from a set down to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 in the opening round.
The Paris crowd erupted in joy as the post-match celebration turned into a heartfelt family celebration, with Djokovic’s children joining him on the historic Chatrier clay.
Djokovic had played only one match on clay before arriving in Paris, a surprise second-round loss to Dino Prizmich at the Rome Masters in the first week of May. Despite this lack of match practice, he was determined to capture a record-breaking 25th major title. Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the tournament may have further boosted his ambitions, but many pundits were still curious to see how his body would fare, especially after shoulder problems following his run to the Australian Open final in January.
Much to the delight of his global fan base, Djokovic looked completely comfortable in terms of his physical fitness, with no visible signs of shoulder trouble. However, there was an undeniable layer of competitive rust that had to be removed before the match could really settle in.
great service giovanni
Giovanni Mpetshi Pericard gives tough competition to Novak Djokovic (Reuters Photo)
The 22-year-old Giovanni, united by a partisan home crowd, was unwilling to make life easy for the champion. In the opening set, the giant server was in sensational form, winning 91 percent of his first serves compared to Djokovic’s 80 percent.
The Frenchman’s blazing serve made all the difference early on. The young contender was firing shots at an average speed of 215 km/h, which was 28 km/h faster than Djokovic’s own average.
As a result, Djokovic was unable to muster a single break point in the opening set, while Empetshi Pericard converted a solitary, crucial opportunity to win the opener 7–5.
There was no immediate disappointment from the youngster as he held serve and returned with immense authority to put the pressure on Djokovic. The Serb fought hard to get break points, but whenever danger loomed, Mpetshi Pericard responded with a ferocious first serve to get out of trouble.
The Frenchman mixed up his targets beautifully, firing the ball wide at some points and low off the ‘t’ at others to keep Djokovic guessing.
Finally, the veteran superstar found his rhythm. He converted a crucial break point in the twilight of the second set, and successfully escaped the tie-break lottery to level the match.
After winning such a hard-fought set, Mpetshi Pericard looked somewhat disappointed in the third set. Sensing his opponent’s sudden drop in temperament and intensity, Djokovic immediately improved his game. The Frenchman lost almost 20 km/h of speed on his first serve, allowing Djokovic to create break points at will and he won the third set 6–1.
Djokovic started the fourth set with an immediate break and it looked as if the match would be one-sided from that moment on. However, Mpetshi Pericard showed great courage to make an immediate comeback and hold her next serve to put the pressure back on the champion. The youngster did everything in his power to stay within touching distance, but Djokovic completely found his range, and overcame the difficult moments with trademark composure to win 6–4 and wrap up the match.
Speaking on court after the bout, Djokovic heaped praise on the world number 83, paying particular tribute to his tremendous serves and the remarkable control with which he executes them.
Djokovic addressed the Paris crowd in French, saying, “I played against Giovanni for the first time this evening. I’m sure it would feel different if I played him five or ten times, but his serve is really very good. It’s difficult to read that kind of serve and it’s probably the first or second time in my career I’ve had to face that kind of delivery. He’s made life incredibly difficult for me.”
Why peppy dance?
When Djokovic was questioned about the little dance he did to celebrate the win in front of his watching family, he reflected on his career mentality.
“To be honest, throughout my career, I have always focused a lot on dedication. I bring full commitment to my tennis, but I also want to experience enjoyment. I want the enjoyment of playing with patience and experiencing these great matches.
“I’m always looking for that beautiful feeling, that alive feeling on the court. It’s a great opportunity to play here at Roland Garros and I’m very grateful for it.
“But when you’re in the heat of a tournament on a big court, it’s hard to do everything. Sometimes I smile to escape the heavy emotions and take the pressure off. Playing against a French player in Paris is always a tough challenge, so instead, I try to dance.”
Djokovic will now face world No. 74 Valentin Royer, another French player, in the second round. After receiving two days off, the Serb will return to the practice court to prepare for his first meeting with Royer, who advanced after defeating Bolivian qualifier Hugo Dellien in straight sets.
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards used a UAE-based procurement network to secretly acquire advanced Chinese satellite communications equipment linked to Tehran’s drone and missile program, according to leaked commercial and shipping records reviewed by the Financial Times.The revelations reveal how a company operating out of the United Arab Emirates helped supply sensitive communications technology to the same branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that later launched a massive bombardment of the Gulf state with drones and missiles during Iran’s retaliation against US-Israeli attacks. The documents also highlight the sophisticated methods used to conceal the final destination of shipments and avoid investigation despite years of Western sanctions targeting Iran’s military procurement apparatus.Records show that in late 2025, the IRGC Aerospace Force acquired military-grade Chinese satellite antenna equipment through Teleson, a company based in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The equipment, manufactured in China, was shipped from Shanghai and via Dubai’s Jebel Ali container port before ultimately reaching Iran.The UAE later became a major target of Iran’s retaliatory campaign following US-Israeli attacks on Iranian assets. According to the report, Tehran launched more than 2,800 drones and missiles at the Gulf state, including in attacks on civilian locations.These revelations are particularly sensitive given Abu Dhabi’s traditionally hardline stance towards Tehran. Yet despite political tensions, the UAE has long remained an important commercial hub for Iranian businesses operating offshore. Analysts have repeatedly warned that the country’s vast free trade zones, where oversight can be weak, create opportunities for sanctions avoidance and illicit procurement networks.According to invoices, customs declarations, packing lists and freight records seen by the FT, Teleson arranged the delivery of a 4.5 meter motorized satellite antenna manufactured by Chinese manufacturer Starwin. The consignment, weighing approximately 1.8 tonnes, was described in customs records as “antennas and accessories”.The equipment was initially transported on the Chinese container ship Zhong Gu Yin Chuan from Shanghai to Dubai’s Jebel Ali Container Terminal 1. Shipping records reviewed by the newspaper show the ship arrived in Dubai on August 28, where it offloaded containers later collected by an Iranian ship named Rama III.Documents indicate that Rama III stopped at the same pier on 23 November and departed a day later carrying a shipment to Iran.However, an FT analysis of marine GPS data and satellite imagery shows that the Iranian ship deliberately transmitted false navigational information in an apparent attempt to conceal its activities.According to the report, GPS signals from the Rama III indicate that the ship moved away from the Gulf and stopped briefly near Oman. But satellite imagery reportedly taken on November 25 showed that the ship did not exist at the coordinates sent to nearby ships.The discrepancy strongly suggests that the ship was “spoofing”, a deceptive maritime practice in which ships transmit false location data to disguise their true routes and destinations.On November 29, satellite images captured a ship matching the size, shape and appearance of Rama III berthed at Iran’s Shahid Razai port in Bandar Abbas. The same port was listed in the shipping documents as the final delivery destination for the consignment.The shipment was sent to Ertebat Faragostar Kish (EFK), an Iranian telecommunications company. According to a contract reviewed by the FT, Telesan purchased equipment on behalf of EFK for a project involving another Iranian entity, Saman Industrial Group.The U.S. Treasury approved the subpoena in December 2023, alleging that the company acted as a commercial front for the Aerospace Force Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization, the research and development wing responsible for the Guard’s ballistic missile, drone and electronic warfare programs.US officials have accused Saman of helping Iran acquire drone-related technology through intermediary companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. The alleged devices included antennas, servomotors and other components applicable to unmanned aerial vehicles.The European Union has also sanctioned the Self-Reliance Jihad organization, accusing it of supplying Iranian drones to Russia.The EFK itself is not currently subject to Western sanctions.The shipping agent handling the Iranian side of the transaction was identified on the bill of lading as Blue Calm Marine Services. The US had imposed sanctions on the company in 2023, accusing it of facilitating shipments to another entity linked to the Iranian Defense Ministry’s missile propellant development program.Teleson publicly describes itself as a UAE-based supplier of fixed and mobile satellite communications systems in the Middle East and North Africa, providing services “from design to installation and commissioning”.Neither Teleson nor the UAE Foreign Ministry responded to FT’s questions regarding the allegations. Iran’s embassy in London also did not respond.The report adds to growing scrutiny over technology transfers involving China supporting Iran’s military infrastructure. Last month, the FT reported separately that the IRGC Aerospace Force had secretly acquired a satellite launched by Chinese company The Earth Eye. The satellite was reportedly used to monitor US military bases and Gulf infrastructure before the attacks in March.Earlier this month, Washington imposed sanctions on The Earth Eye for allegedly supporting Iranian military operations.The US State Department said, “The United States will continue to take action to hold China-based entities accountable for their support of Iran.” “Targeting U.S. service members and partners will not go unanswered.”The revelations are likely to raise concerns among Western governments over Iran’s use of Gulf commercial hubs and international logistics networks to evade sanctions imposed on its military procurement ecosystem. The revelations could put renewed pressure on the United Arab Emirates to tighten oversight of companies operating within its free trade zones, amid fears that sensitive military technology is flowing to Iran despite years of sanctions and surveillance efforts.
