Israel

Tensions in West Asia have put the Strait of Hormuz in focus; here's what this narrow sea route is, why it is crucial for global oil and gas supplies and how any disruption can affect prices worldwide

According to an advisory from the Gulf Cooperation Council to stakeholders, ports in several parts of West Asia remain in operation, albeit with riders

US President Donald Trump announced the death of the Iranian leader, but cautioned that the bombing of Iran would continue through the week, perhaps even longer

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials were targeted in the first wave of strikes by the US and Israel on Saturday morning; Iran has not confirmed Khamenei's demise

The government on Saturday reviewed the preparedness of aviation stakeholders in the wake of the evolving Middle East situation and asked airlines to ensure timely rerouting, diversion of flights wherever required in accordance with safety protocols. Multiple airspaces have been closed in the wake of the attacks on Iran by Israel and the US. With Indian airlines suspending their Middle East operations and thousands of passengers facing travel disruptions, civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu held a high-level review meeting with the stakeholders. At the meeting, the ministry told airlines to ensure timely rerouting and diversion of flights wherever required in accordance with safety protocols. The review meeting of the civil aviation ministry focused on ensuring passenger safety, operational continuity, and real-time coordination amid airspace closures in the Middle East, according to an official release. Airport operators have been asked to enhance coordination with airlines

Iran sits on one side of the Strait of Hormuz, the shipping lane for about a fifth of the world's crude from key suppliers including Saudi Arabia and Iraq

Exiled Iranian crown prince calls for calm and readiness after the US and Israel launched strikes against the Islamic regime in Iran; appeals to security forces and President Trump

The Israeli Defence Forces said they intercepted at least two barrages of missiles fired by Iran after joint US-Israel strikes on Tehran, as sirens sounded and security guidelines were tightened

Following are significant US military facilities in the Middle East:

Even with the US saying the door to further diplomacy remains open, President Donald Trump has amassed huge military forces in the Middle East, sending a second aircraft carrier to Israeli waters

The attack, coming after Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day air war in June, follows repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear programmes

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make a quick trip to Israel early next week as tensions between the United States and Iran soar amid a massive buildup of US forces in the Middle East, the State Department said Friday. The department said in a statement that Rubio would visit Israel on Monday and Tuesday to "discuss a range of regional priorities including Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza." It offered no other details. The announcement comes just hours after the US Embassy in Jerusalem implemented "authorised departure" status for non-essential personnel and family members, which means that eligible staffers can leave the country voluntarily at government expense.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2026 visit to Israel has elevated bilateral ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership.” From 16 agreements across AI

Earlier on Friday, China advised nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those in the country to evacuate as soon as possible, as tensions build between Tehran and Washington

The US Embassy in Israel on Friday told its staff that it could leave the country and urged anyone considering departure to do so immediately, as the threat of an American strike on Iran looms. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee told embassy employees in an email that discussions with officials in Washington had led to a decision authorizing departures for those who wished to leave. The email was recounted to The Associated Press by someone involved with the US mission who wasn't authorised to share details. Sent before 10:30 a.m., it urged staff considering departure to do so quickly, advising them to to focus initially on getting any flight out of Israel and to then make their way to Washington. "Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY," Huckabee wrote, using an acronym for "authorized departure." "While there may be outbound flights over the coming days, there may not be," he added. Huckabee said that there was no need for panic, but for those desiring to leave, it was important t

The two leaders discussed the regional developments and underlined the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace, security and freedom of navigation and trade in the region

An agreement has been reached for the use of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Israel, the Prime Minister said after the meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Israeli technology companies to invest in India and partner with Indian youth as he visited an exhibition here showcasing pioneering innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, and agriculture. Modi was accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the visit to the exhibition on Wednesday. In a social media post on Thursday, Modi said the exhibition showcased "special innovations" from the world of technology. "Got a glimpse of pioneering work by Israeli youth in areas such as AI, Quantum, healthcare, cyber security, water resources, agriculture and more. Urged Israeli companies to invest in India and work with our talented youth," he said. According to a press release, the exhibition featured leading Israeli companies and research entities specialising in agri-tech, water-tech, climate-tech, health-biotech, smart mobility, AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies. "Innovation and technology ...

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first recipient of the honour

The Congress on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his address to the Israeli Parliament, saying it was an "unabashed defence of his host" premier Benjamin Netanyahu. The opposition party also recalled India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru's July 1947 reply to Albert Einstein's letter to him on the subject of the creation of Israel. Addressing the Knesset on Wednesday, Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path towards "just and durable peace" in the region. He also delivered a message of solidarity with Israel, asserting that "terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere." "I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 (2023)," Modi said. "We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing c