Page 11 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Preventing Iranian nuclear weapon remains 'core issue', says Marco Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked in a Fox News interview about Iran's latest proposal, which would postpone discussions on its nuclear programme but end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its blockade and ends the war. "There's no doubt in my mind that at some point in the future, if this radical clerical regime remains in charge in Iran, they will decide they want a nuclear weapon," Rubio said. "That fundamental issue still has to be confronted," he said. "That still remains the core issue here." Asked if he thinks the Iranians are serious about a deal, Rubio said they are skilled negotiators looking to buy time. "We can't let them get away with it," Rubio said. "We have to ensure that any deal that is made, any agreement that is made, is one that definitively prevents them from sprinting towards a nuclear weapon at any point.

US guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta intercepts Iranian tanker

The interception of the M/T Stream comes as American forces maintain a strict maritime restrictive operation in the region

'No tolls, no discrimination': UN chief appeals to parties to open Hormuz

United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres on Monday called for the immediate restoration of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that uninterrupted maritime movement is critical for global trade and economic stability amid rising tensions in the Gulf region.In a statement, Guterres said, "Navigational rights & freedoms through the Strait of Hormuz must be respected. I appeal to the parties: Open the Strait. Let ships pass. No tolls. No discrimination. Let trade resume. Let the global economy breathe. Safe, unimpeded passage is an economic & humanitarian imperative."Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly criticised Iran's reported attempts to regulate or monetise vessel movement through the strategic waterway. In an interview with Fox News, Rubio warned that such measures would not be accepted by the United States and would amount to asserting control over an international passage."If what they mean by opening the Straits is 'Yes, ..

Trump not happy with Iran's latest proposal to end war: US official

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said Washington "will not negotiate through the press" and reiterated that its red lines remain unchanged as it pursues an end to the conflict

Asian stocks near record highs ahead of tech earnings, BOJ awaits

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.12 per cent, hovering near the record high it touched on Monday

Iran's unused oil storage shrinks to 22 days or less amid US blockade

The Islamic Republic has enough unused storage capacity to last another 12 to 22 days

No Brics joint statement on West Asia war due to lack of consensus: MEA

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said a joint statement was not possible because a general consensus could not be reached among the members

Iran's foreign minister Araghchi lands in Pakistan again after Russia talks

Araghchi's latest stop follows a series of high-level engagements across multiple countries, including Russia and Oman

Iran turns to Caspian Sea to secure food supplies amid US naval blockade

With the United States trying to squeeze Iran by blockading goods from entering or exiting its ports, food suppliers are rerouting imports via the Caspian Sea to ensure food keeps getting into the country. The head of the Association of Iran's Food Industries said Monday that alternative import routes are being "incorporated into the supply chain for essential goods". "At present, there is no problem with the country's food security, but maintaining this situation requires careful planning," Mohammad Reza Mortazavi said, according to the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. The Caspian is the world's largest inland body of water and its southern coastline stretches more than 430 miles (700 km) in northern Iran. Iran is a net importer of food staples like grain and cooking oil.

US, Iran clash at UN atomic treaty review over Tehran's nuclear programme

The United States and Iran clashed over Tehran's nuclear programme as a review of the treaty meant to prevent the spread of atomic weapons got underway Monday at the United Nations, a confrontation almost certain to be repeated during the monthlong meeting. At issue was the election of Iran as one of 34 vice presidents of the conference, where 191 parties to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty are reviewing its implementation as they have done every five years since it took effect in 1970. Iran was a candidate of what has been dubbed the "nonaligned movement," made up of 121 mainly developing countries. Tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme escalated ahead of the Iran war, with President Donald Trump vowing to ensure the country cannot build an atomic weapon. Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, but Tehran insists its programme is only for civilian purposes. The meeting began as Iran offered to reopen the Strait if Hormuz if the US lifted its blockade of Iran

US forces turn back 38 ships from Iranian ports as blockade continues

US forces are actively preventing ships from entering or exiting Iranian waters as part of a sustained effort to monitor and control movement into strategic coastal hubs

Russia trip opportunity to coordinate after war: Iranian foreign minister

Prior to his arrival in Russia, the top Iranian diplomat held pivotal meetings in Islamabad to further this regional agenda

Asian shares mixed; Nikkei hits record as oil rises on West Asia tensions

Shares were mixed in Asia, and Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index hit a fresh record Monday after US stocks ended last week with new highs. The price of oil gained more than USD 1 as talks on ending the war with Iran hit more snags. The White House cancelled plans to send envoys to Pakistan for more negotiations, and US President Donald Trump cited a lack of progress. "If they want, we can talk, but we're not sending people," Trump told Fox News on Sunday. He said earlier on social media: "All they have to do is call!!!" This week will bring decisions on interest rates by top central banks, including the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan and the Bank of England. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 surged 1.4 per cent to 60,564.18, touching new intraday highs. The Kospi in South Korea jumped 2.1 per cent to 6,617.94. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index edged 0.1 per cent lower to 25,951.86, and the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.2 per cent at 4,089.04. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 ..

What to know about US-Iran peace talks: Key issues, hurdles, latest moves

An Iranian negotiator returned to Pakistan on Sunday, despite the United States abruptly calling off a trip there by its two top negotiators

Iran offers new proposal to US to reopen Strait of Hormuz, end war: Report

Pakistani mediators have given the proposal to the White House, but it's unclear whether the US wants to explore it, an Axios report said

Oil prices jump nearly 2% amid stalled peace talks between US, Iran

Brent crude futures rose $2.16, ‌or 2.05%, to $107.49 a barrel by 2346 GMT, the highest since April 7, and US West Texas Intermediate was at $96.17 a barrel, up $1.77, or 1.88%

'They're in really bad shape': Trump signals US-Iran conflict may end soon

Trump added that internal divisions within Iran's leadership could further accelerate the path to an outcome

Best of BS Opinion: Hopes fade for early resolution of West Asia crisis

From rising West Asia tensions and oil shocks to heat stress on food systems and women farmers' role in India, here are the key insights from Business Standard's Opinion page today

Weekly economy wrap: West Asia shock tests India, demand holds firm

Economy wrap April 20-26: From RBI caution to export resilience and trade tensions, the week showed an economy navigating global risks while leaning on domestic demand

Talks in Pak on hold as Iran's diplomat leaves, Trump's envoys are no-show

Attempts at ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran fell flat after Tehran's top diplomat left Pakistan, and President Donald Trump's envoys stayed away after he told them not to travel to Islamabad. The US president indicated the ball was now in Iran's court. "If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!" Trump said on social media. The negotiations were meant to follow historic face-to-face talks earlier this month between the US, led by Vice President JD Vance, and Iran, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. But Iranian officials have questioned how they can trust the US after its forces started blockading Iranian ports in response to Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, on Saturday evening, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the media. Araghchi went on to Oman, on the other si