Page 14 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Oil prices fall over 1% on reports of potential US-Iran ceasefire deal

Prices have been volatile in recent sessions, swinging by as much as $6 for both benchmarks on conflicting signals over a possible end to the three-month US-Israeli war on Iran

'We're not there yet, but very close': Vance on US, Iran peace deal

The Trump administration has several times said a deal to end the fighting was close, only to have Iran dispute or downplay the claims

US-Iran draft tentative plan to end conflict: All you need to know

US and Iranian officials say they are closing in on the terms of a preliminary agreement; yet sticking points, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz, remain

Trump's pressure campaign brought Iran to the table: US Treasury secy

Speaking about the potential US deal with Iran, Bessent stressed that it depends on President Donald Trump, who is resolute on his demand against Iran's nuclear programme

UN adds Israeli, Russian forces to blacklist for sexual violence cases

An annual United Nations report documenting sexual violence in conflicts worldwide has included Israeli forces for the first time since the review began more than 15 years ago for their treatment of Palestinian detainees. Israel denies the accusations. The 35-page report -- shared by the Israeli mission to the UN late on Thursday ahead of its expected release on Friday -- blacklists 77 government and non-government parties in a dozen countries suspected of committing or being responsible for sexual violence in conflicts around the world. It says the number of cases rose sharply in 2025 from 2024. Russian armed and security forces were also blacklisted for the first time this year for sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilians detained during the war in Ukraine. The list for 2025 includes Israel's armed and security forces as well as Hamas militants, who were previously blacklisted after their attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza. Both Israe

US, Iran reach tentative deal to extend ceasefire, launch nuclear talks

US and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and launch talks on Iran's nuclear program, according to a US official familiar with the matter. The official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said President Donald Trump still needs to sign off on the emerging memorandum of understanding. The tentative agreement worked out by the two sides comes at a moment when the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran appeared to be wavering. The US military earlier on Thursday accused Iran of violating the ceasefire after Kuwait reported coming under attack following an American strike against the Islamic Republic. It was the latest flare-up of fighting to threaten ongoing negotiations to end the war. Details of the tentative agreement were first reported by the news outlet Axios.

Air India extends Israel flights suspension till July end amid Iran war

Amid continued geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, Air India on Thursday said it is extending its suspension of operations on the Tel Aviv-Delhi route till July end. Earlier this month, it had announced suspension till June end but with no clarity on the prevailing security situation in the region, the leading Indian carrier has decided to further extend its suspension of operations on the route by another month. A senior executive heading the airlines' Israel operations told PTI that the "schedule amendment (has been) notified yesterday evening." The flights have been "further suspended till 31 July due to the geopolitical situation," he said. In the wake of the West Asia conflict, which started in late February, airlines have been facing multiple headwinds, including costlier fuel and airspace curbs, which pushed up their operational costs. Earlier in April, the Indian carrier announced to put on hold its operations till the end of May, which now is further extended. Despi

Kuwait reports missile, drone attack as Iran ceasefire strain escalates

Kuwait said it faced a missile and drone attack Thursday as the shaky ceasefire in the Iran war was again challenged. Kuwait's military made the announcement, without providing further details on what had been targeted. Kuwait repeatedly came under fire from Iran and Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq during the war. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack comes after the US said it carried out strikes again targeting Iran during the ceasefire. Negotiations are ongoing over extending the ceasefire and trying to find a way to formally end the war that has shaken the Middle East.

US gold sinks to two-month low as US-Iran tensions stoke inflation fears

Spot gold was down 1.1 per cent to $4,406.81 per ‌ounce, as of 0236 GMT, falling to its lowest level since March 27

Trump's Iran bind deepens as Hormuz crisis fuels war pressure at home

Adding to the challenge are his own comments over the years, lambasting his predecessors for signing or considering deals similar to the one that has the best chance of success

'No nation will control Hormuz': Trump as he threatens to blow up Oman

Iran's Tasnim news agency cited a military source as saying that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy fired toward a US oil tanker that was trying to transit the strait, forcing it to turn back

US imposes sanctions on Iranian agency trying to control shipping in Hormuz

The Trump administration on Wednesday placed additional sanctions on Iran as part of a sprawling economic pressure campaign during the war, this time targeting the country's newly-created agency that is trying to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The move, first reported by The Associated Press, is the latest US effort to use economic leverage on top of military action to push Iran's leadership into an agreement to end the war and open the waterway where a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas normally passes. President Donald Trump has said a deal is imminent, but talks are ongoing. It comes as rising energy prices and other costs stemming from Iran's effective closure of the strait have heaped political pressure on Trump and other Republicans ahead of the midterm congressional elections. "The Iranian military's latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in

Oil prices jump 2% after fresh US strikes on Iranian military site

Brent crude futures rose $1.90, or 2.02 per cent, to $96.19 a barrel by 0015 GMT, while the more active August contract gained $1.64 or 1.78 per cent, to $93.89

Asian shares turn cautious as fresh US strike on Iran lifts oil prices

It also took a little steam out of the tech-driven bull run in stock markets, with Japan's Nikkei easing 0.2 per cent, while South ‌Korean shares went flat

US launches fresh defensive strikes on Iran after drone threat near Hormuz

The US military on Wednesday conducted its second defensive strike this week against Iran after officials said they observed aggressive activity from the Iranian military. Two US officials told The Associated Press that US military forces shot down four Iranian drones and struck a base that was about to launch a fifth drone after determining they posed a threat to the Strait of Hormuz. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive military operations. President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that Iran is "negotiating on fumes" and insisted that November's midterm elections will not make him rush into a deal to end the nearly three-month-old conflict that has spurred unease across the global economy. Speaking at the start of a Cabinet meeting, Trump expressed confidence that a deal is near. Over the weekend, he even declared that his administration and Tehran had "largely negotiated" a settlement, though the talks are still in flux. The president i

Iran deal may ease oil stress, but won't plug India's capital or AI gaps

While stabilising the currency may help contain the current crisis, India's ability to attract global capital will remain muted

Iran expands restrictions on distribution of news by int'l media outlets

Iran has expanded restrictions on distribution of news content from the country, directing international news outlets to restrict use of their content by Israeli media. A directive issued Tuesday to a group of international news outlets based in Tehran specified mandatory language to be included on "all submitted content, including photos, videos, reports, and other media productions". The instructions, which were sent to a number of news organisations including The Associated Press, came from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which oversees media activity. "Responsibility for failing to comply with this directive rests with the submitting media outlet," the instructions, translated from Farsi, noted. The new restrictions come three months after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran that grew into a continuing, occasionally flaring war in the region. President Donald Trump insisted a peace deal is close on the 88th day of the war, even as Iran on Tuesda

Iran 'negotiating on fumes', says Trump, shrugs off midterms' impact on war

President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that Iran is "negotiating on fumes" and insisted that November's midterm elections won't make him rush into a deal to end the nearly three-month-old conflict that's spurred unease across the global economy. Speaking at the start of a Cabinet meeting, Trump expressed confidence that a deal is near. Over the weekend, he even declared that his administration and Tehran had "largely negotiated" a settlement, though the talks are still in flux. The president is looking for a settlement that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him with a credible argument that Iran's nuclear capability has been diminished enough to declare victory, winding down a conflict that's been politically unpopular for Republicans. But as things stand, Trump also risks finding that closure to his war of choice comes with an unsatisfactory ending. The emerging deal puts off many critical issues to be resolved later and has already exposed the Republican presiden

US rejects Iranian media's report on 'draft deal' to restore Hormuz traffic

The remark came after Iranian state television reported that Tehran had committed to restoring commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within one month

Oil prices fall as markets await clarity on US-Iran talks, Hormuz tensions

Brent crude futures fell $1.42, or 1.43 per cent, to $98.16 a barrel as of 0253 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost $1.66, or 1.77 per cent, to $92.23 a barrel