live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says around 25 kilometres of the TAPI gas pipeline have been laid in Herat province, as work continues on one of the region’s largest energy projects.
The update was shared by the ministry’s spokesman, Humayun Afghan, who said progress had been made on the Afghanistan section of the pipeline in Herat. Summarising the latest work, he said: “So far, about 25 kilometres of the pipeline have been laid, and preparations have been completed for an additional 120 kilometres.”
The ministry said new pipes and technical equipment are also being transported to the project area, which officials say is expected to help speed up work in the coming months. It added that the 153-kilometre Herat stretch is expected to be completed by the end of the current calendar year.
Humayun Afghan said the project would continue according to schedule and would be ready for operation once completed.
The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline is one of the region’s largest energy projects. It is designed to stretch 1,814 kilometres and carry up to 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas each year from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India, according to official project details.
Afghan officials have said the project could bring wider economic benefits to the country, including jobs, stronger regional connectivity and around $400 million a year in revenue.
Work on the TAPI project officially began in Afghanistan in September 2024 in the presence of Afghan and Turkmen officials. The latest update suggests construction is continuing to move forward in Herat, one of the key sections of Afghanistan’s route.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12th of August, covering the latest developments.
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