Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Iran attacks Bahrain, Kuwait following US strikes, threatens to halt talks

Bahrain and Kuwait said on Sunday that Iran targeted their nations with drone and missile fire overnight after new US airstrikes hit Iran. The new crossfire in the Persian Gulf further strains the initial deal that Iran and the United States struck in an effort to find a permanent end to the war. Both Bahrain and Kuwait denounced the Iranian attacks, though it wasn't clear what, if anything, had been hit. The US military's Central Command said it struck Iranian military "surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities" following an attack on a ship at sea early Saturday morning. That ship, the Panamanian-flagged tanker Kiku, was carrying crude oil for the state-run energy company of Qatar, a key mediator between Iran and the US.

Markets ahead: West Asia tensions, crude prices key factors to watch out

Developments on the geopolitical front, with the latest military exchanges involving the US and Iran, their impact on crude oil prices and domestic macroeconomic data announcements would dictate sentiments in the stock market this week, analysts said. Besides, trading patterns of foreign investors and progress of the southwest monsoon would also remain the key areas of focus for investors, they added. "Market participants will closely monitor Industrial Production (IIP) data, the final HSBC Manufacturing, Services and Composite PMI readings, and the foreign exchange reserves data for fresh insights into the health of the domestic economy," Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said. Globally, the trajectory of crude oil prices and geopolitical developments in West Asia will remain key drivers of market sentiment, he said. The monthly auto sales numbers on July 1 will also be tracked by investors closely. "The week ahead is likely to be shaped by developments on the ..

US says it struck 10 Iran targets as ceasefire strained by new attacks

The US military said Saturday it had struck 10 targets in Iran at President Donald Trump's direction, continuing a string of attacks that have shaken the war's uneasy ceasefire. US Central Command, in a post to social media, said that US military aircraft targeted Iranian military "surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities" following an attack on a merchant vessel early on Saturday morning. It later specified the strikes involved 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing strikes in the Persian Gulf show the danger of the Iran war again spinning out of control, even after Iran and the US reached an interim deal to try and agree on a final accord to end the conflict. In a social media post, Trump said the US had "struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!" He warned of a

Israel, Lebanon reach framework deal to end conflict, advance peace talks

Israel will maintain a "security zone" along the boundaries of the yellow line, which marks a seized territory that stretches some 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanon from the Israeli border

Israel, Lebanon sign framework deal with US in 'first step' toward peace

Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with Israel and Lebanon's ambassadors announced a framework agreement Friday that was described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The officials did not share details on the agreement that was signed by Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, and Nada Hamadeh, ambassador of Lebanon to the United States.

India Inc profit hit from West Asia crisis to halve if truce holds: Crisil

The profitability impact of the recent West Asia conflict on corporate India is likely to be about half as severe as initially feared if the US-Iran ceasefire holds and energy supplies continue to normalise, Crisil Ratings said. The ratings agency said it now expects the conflict to shave around 100 basis points off India Inc's operating margins in fiscal 2027, compared with its earlier estimate of a 200-basis-point hit under a prolonged conflict scenario that included disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The revised outlook follows a sharp correction in crude oil prices after the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under a fragile US-Iran memorandum of understanding, although Crisil cautioned that geopolitical risks remain elevated and gas supplies could take longer to normalise. "If the armistice sustains, two-thirds of the 34 sectors (we assessed) will see minimal disruption, with margin recovery in the second half mostly offsetting pressures of the first half," sai

Oil prices fall towards pre-war levels as tankers exit Strait of Hormuz

Brent crude futures for August delivery fell 40 cents, or 0.54 per cent, ‌to $73.34 a barrel as of 0004 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate fell 27 cents, or 0.38 per cent, to $70.07 a barrel

Israel, Lebanon discuss plan for transfer of some land to Lebanese army

The Israeli officials said the Lebanese troops involved would undergo US training and vetting to ensure they are not linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah

Trump says Iran agrees to long-term nuclear checks, Hormuz stays open

Trump asserted that the Iranian leadership had conceded significant ground during the ongoing diplomatic talks

US, Iran agree on roadmap for final deal in 60 days: Why India is watching

The breakthrough could ease pressure on oil markets, secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and help shield India from higher import costs and inflation

US, Iran want a deal but uncertainty persists over Israeli intentions

Early progress in US-Iran talks offers hope for a deal, but tensions involving Israel, Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz could still derail negotiations

Iranian crude prices slashed as more shipments exit Strait of Hormuz

At least 11 tankers carrying a combined 20 million barrels were detected leaving the Iranian port of Chabahar in recent days, Bloomberg shipping data show

What changed after almost four months of US-Iran war? Analysts say not much

Neither the war nor the agreement terminated the main threats emanating from Iran, many analysts said

V-P JD Vance arrives in Switzerland for first peace talks with Iran

A high-level Iranian team arrived in Switzerland for peace talks with the US, as US Vice President JD Vance departed Washington for meetings that Pakistan said will begin

3 Indian tankers reemerge in Gulf of Oman, signalling Hormuz traffic uptick

Desh Vibhor, Desh Vaibhav and Sanmar Herald were observed in Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea on Sunday, after having been last seen signaling their attempt to cross the Strait of Hormuz late Friday

Pak PM Sharif, Army Chief Munir leave for Switzerland for US-Iran talks

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and its Army Chief Asim Munir left for Switzerland early Sunday to participate in the technical-level talks between the US and Iran. As a follow-up to the signing of the Islamabad MoU, technical-level talks will be held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday, according to the prime minister's office. "The prime minister, along with a high-level delegation, has departed from Islamabad for Switzerland," the PMO said in its statement issued after midnight. It added that Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Munir will participate in these talks. Earlier, Pakistan had announced that the talks would be held in Switzerland after they were postponed on Friday. The talks are aimed at adding key details to the preliminary accord to halt the nearly four-month war between the US and Iran signed earlier this week by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. US Vice President J D Vance was initially supposed to hold a first rou