A resurfaced interview from 1988 has drawn fresh attention after US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island, revealing that the US president had spoken about attacking the same target nearly four decades ago.In the interview with The Guardian, Trump, then a New York businessman, spoke about taking a tough line against Iran. Asked what he would do if he were in power, he said the United States needed to respond forcefully to Iranian actions in the Persian Gulf.

Also read: Trump shares video of US bombing Iran’s crucial oil hub Kharg Island“I’d be harsh on Iran. They’ve been beating us psychologically, making us look a bunch of fools,” Trump said. “One bullet shot at one of our men or ships and I’d do a number on Kharg Island. I’d go in and take it.”

Trump argued that Iran was pushing the United States around despite being locked in a difficult conflict with Iraq. “Iran can’t even beat Iraq, yet they push the United States around,” he said. “It’d be good for the world to take them on.”The decades-old remarks resurfaced after the White House shared a snippet of the interview following US military strikes on Kharg Island, which hosts the main terminal for Iran’s crude exports. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the excerpt, saying the president’s views on Iran had remained unchanged for years.“President Trump has been remarkably consistent his entire life on Iran,” she said. “Anyone who says otherwise has not been paying attention.”Also read: Israel’s strike kills 12 medical workers at Lebanon clinic amid escalating Middle East conflictTrump recently said US forces had “obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, located about 30 kilometres off the Iranian mainland in the Persian Gulf. The island is central to Iran’s oil trade and handles the vast majority of its crude exports, making it one of the country’s most important economic lifelines.While the strikes reportedly targeted military facilities rather than oil terminals, Trump warned that Iran’s energy infrastructure could also be hit if Tehran continues to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supplies.Iran’s military has responded with sharp warnings, saying oil and energy infrastructure linked to companies cooperating with the United States could be “destroyed and turned into a pile of ashes” if Iranian facilities are attacked.

NEW DELHI: The automobile industry has warned govt over possible disruptions in diesel vehicle operations and supply chains due to uncertainties in the availability of Technical Grade Urea (TGU), a key input used to produce Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) due to the West Asia conflict.In a letter to govt, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers warned that disruptions in imports of TGU due to shipping issues in West Asia could impact the supply of DEF, which is mandatory for Bharat Stage VI diesel vehicles to reduce emissions. The industry body said there is “no clear visibility of TGU supplies beyond early April 2026” as shipping routes and port operations in the region face disruptions.

The letter stated India currently imports 50-60% of its TGU requirement through hubs such as Dubai and Egypt and any disruption in DEF availability could have a wider impact on the transport ecosystem of India.

“All BS-VI commercial vehicles and large diesel passenger vehicles are equipped with a mandatory engine interlock mechanism under which the vehicle cannot operate if DEF levels are exhausted,” it said.It asked govt to direct Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers & Chemicals – the country’s only domestic producer of TGU – to maximise output and prioritise supplies for DEF manufacturing until imports normalise. GNFC currently produces 15,000-20,000 tonnes of TGU per month, meeting only about 50% of the national requirement, with the rest met through imports.Apart from TGU, SIAM and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association sought assurance on the continued supply of LPG, pipped natural gas and propane used in several automobile manufacturing processes, warning that any restrictions could disrupt production and affect the wider auto supply chain.ACMA said exporters were facing rising logistics costs and delays in shipments due to vessel rerouting, container shortages and higher insurance premiums, with export lead times increasing by 2-4 weeks.Rajesh Menon, director general of SIAM, said the geopolitical situation remains a concern for the auto sector. “While March has festive drivers in several parts of the country. The recent conflict in West Asia remains a concern, both from the perspective of the supply chain, which could impact manufacturing processes and exports,” he said.Industry executives also told TOI about emerging shipping disruptions. Ishwar Kumhar, co-founder and CEO of Original Equipment Manufacturing startup, Brandworks Technologies, said global shipping routes saw modifications due to the crisis, leading to occasional delays and fluctuations in freight rates.

Sanju Samson, India’s T20 World Cup hero, cited the importance of winning the game for India with an impactful innings, which mattered more than his personal milestones of getting three centuries in the World Cup games.

Times change, and new players make new contributions for teams; however, the legends who made consistent efforts to guide them to victory on a number of occasions, their radiance, and their excellence remain unaffected.

The Indian team has undergone a massive transition between the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup, but one thing that remained constant was India’s unaffected legacy in the ICC tournament. Newer players, newer roles, but the tricolour waved above all at the end of the ICC event.

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Sanju Samson clears India’s priorities in the Suryakumar-Gambhir era

Having arrived at the India Today Conclave 2026, World Cup champions Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson spoke on India’s approach to the game under Captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Vikrant Gupta went on to ask Sanju Samson, “Not the culture, but the concept of Indian cricket, that personal milestones are good and very important, but they are not the ‘be all, end all.’

“For example, he said, Sanju could have scored three centuries; he couldn’t. Maybe someone else played those six balls and scored another 26 runs. So is there really a conscious effort, or do we hear all these things only after a World Cup win?”

Sanju Samson could not shy away from answering this, as he said that ever since Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav took over the Indian team, the importance of personal milestones was sidelined, and what remained the centre page of the Indian system was winning it for the team.

“No, Paaji, it’s very true; I think Abhi will agree with me. This is the constant conversation and the points we have written down in team meetings. Right from the Sri Lanka series, where Surya and Gautam Bhai were the leaders of the Indian team. Right from that moment, it was very clear that there were no personal milestones.

“So, that’s how we all adapted, and our character got aligned to the team’s starting point. Definitely, there is a conscious effort,” he added.

I absolutely contributed really well- Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson entered the game against the West Indies, which was the final game of India’s Super-8 campaign, with just around 50 runs in the T20 World Cup, but the world was not ready for witnessing one of India’s most memorable batting performances in the World Cup from then on.

Breaking records, Sanju scored a heroic 97* to guide India through to the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup. In the semis, he scored another 89 runs and hammered India home to a massive 250+ total, and then followed the same in the final to produce another Samson’s special 89 to wind up the World Cup for the defending champions.

However, many opined that Samson missed out on three of his well-deserved centuries in the T20 World Cup. To this, Sanju Samson said, “Three hundred, which people say I missed out on. I feel a huge lot of work was done; I think I absolutely contributed really well.”

“Winning the game was more important than my three centuries”

– Sanju on missing out on three hundreds

Direct attack on that one guy 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/RwFNVonYPZ

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) March 14, 2026

Who has the most runs for India in winning causes in the ICC T20 World Cup?

Now, many have cited the words from the Indian World Cup winner as an attack on Virat Kohli, the former World Cup winner who, according to many, cited personal milestones more than leading his team to victory.

Speaking of Virat’s legacy, the chasemaster is India’s most successful batter across ICC tournaments, with the most runs coming off during chases. Speaking of the T20 World Cups, Kohli retired in 2024 with 809 runs in 19 innings, the most for India during a winning cause for the team.

Rohit follows him in the list with 702 runs. Rohit Sharma was the architect behind selfless shotmaking in India. As the captain, he took charge and smashed the bowlers early on, not caring about personal milestones, in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.

ALSO READ: NOT Gautam Gambhir, Tilak Varma reveals the real architect behind his World Cup redemption

Indian Navy warships deployed in the Gulf region as part of the continuing Operation Sankalp are keeping a constant vigil on India-bound cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz area.“A warship deployed in that region (off the Oman coast) is still monitoring the situation and keeping a close watch on India-bound cargo ships,” a source confirmed to TOI.

Under the watchful eyes of the Indian Navy, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers belonging to Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Shivalik and Nanda Devi, have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are now bound for India. Another Indian-flagged oil tanker, Jag Prakash, which is carrying gasoline from Oman to Africa, has also set sail from east of the Strait of Hormuz.As per an agency report that quoted govt sources, Shivalik is being escorted by the Indian Navy.

On June 19, 2019, the Indian Navy had commenced maritime security operations, called ‘Operation Sankalp’, in the Gulf region to ensure safe passage of Indian flag vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. This was done in close coordination with all stakeholders, including ministries of defence, external affairs, shipping, petroleum and natural gas, and DG Shipping. The Navy had then deployed a total of 23 warships in rotation to the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Some of these warships are still deployed in the Gulf region.The naval deployment is significant amid increased regional tensions across the wider Gulf region, with as many as 23,000 Indian seafarers employed on different types of vessels, including merchant ships, and offshore installations, and 24 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.Iranian ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali indicated on Friday that India could soon get safe passage (for its vessels) through the Strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile, the Indian Naval Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini has arrived at the historic port of Valletta, Malta, marking a significant milestone in her landmark transoceanic expedition Lokayan-26, according to a defence ministry statement. The ship arrived in Valletta on Mar 12, underscoring the deep-rooted maritime ties between India and Malta. This visit represents an important leg of the ship’s ambitious 22,000-nautical-mile global voyage. The arrival follows its successful transit through the Suez Canal and a recent port call at Alexandria. INS Sudarshini is currently in the second month of her voyage, which commenced at Kochi on Jan 20.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif slammed Mehidy Hasan Miraz after a controversial run-out involving Salman Ali Agha during the second ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Friday.The unusual dismissal sparked a major debate on social media, with Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz facing criticism for what many termed an unsportsmanlike act. Former India batter Kaif was among those who strongly condemned the incident.

Slamming the act, Kaif said: “This is so not done. No desperation of getting wickets can justify this run out. That too from a captain. Youngsters please remember, even if the World Cup final is on the line never do what the Bangladesh skipper did. Sports without fair play is no sports.”

The incident took place in the 39th over of Pakistan’s innings when the visitors were rebuilding after losing three early wickets. Agha and Mohammad Rizwan had steadied the innings with a 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket.On the fourth ball of the over, bowled by Miraz, Rizwan gently pushed the delivery down the ground. The ball rolled towards Agha, who had backed up and was standing outside the crease at the non-striker’s end.As the ball struck his pads, Agha instinctively bent down, picked it up and attempted to hand it back. Miraz, however, quickly grabbed the ball and dislodged the bails with Agha still outside the crease before appealing for a run-out.The on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire after the appeal was made, and the replay confirmed the dismissal in Bangladesh’s favour.The decision left Agha visibly frustrated as he walked back to the pavilion, with television visuals showing the Pakistan batter expressing his displeasure after the call.The incident also triggered brief exchanges between players from both teams on the field. Rizwan was seen having a discussion with the Bangladesh players, while Litton Das defended the appeal made by Miraz.The rare run-out quickly became the biggest talking point of the match, dividing opinion among fans online. While many supported Agha and criticised the spirit of the dismissal, others argued that the Pakistan batter should have ensured he returned to his crease.Meanwhile, Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 274 in 47.3 overs, with Maaz Sadaqat top-scoring with 75. Having already lost the first ODI, Pakistan needed a victory in the second match to keep the series alive.