Page 17 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Pakistan's role as mediator problematic, says US senator Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham termed "problematic" the role of Pakistan as a mediator in the United States' war with Iran. Graham's remarks came as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said he is not in favour of Islamabad joining the Abraham Accords, which deal with establishing diplomatic, economic and security ties between Israel and Arab nations. Asif also talked about his country's long-standing position to not accept Israel until the Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital is established. "It has been apparent to me for quite a while that Pakistan as a mediator is more than problematic. Their animosity towards Israel is long standing," Graham said in a post on X. He asked Pakistan to respond to US President Donald Trump's call to mediators in the US-Iran war to join the Accords. "As to the defence minister's comments about the Abraham Accords, saying that Pakistan would never join because they don't trust Israel: The clip may be a

'Gone absolutely crazy': Trump again slams media coverage on Iran conflict

Trump's outburst came through a Truth Social post in which he called out the media outlets and democrats over the framing of the narrative around the conflict

Best of BS Opinion: Quad drift, EV push, FTA push, and consumer demand

From the Quad's strategic uncertainty and India's EV transition to trade reform challenges and AI's impact on education, today's BS Opinion examines key global and domestic shifts

Trump asks Arab nations to join Abraham Accords amid fresh strikes on Iran

The US President said any future regional arrangement should include recognition of Israel through the Abraham Accords

'No safe haven': Mojtaba Khamenei warns Gulf will no longer have US bases

The hand of time does not turn back, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer serve as shields for American bases, Mojtaba wrote on X

RBI, credit-rating firms assess West Asia conflict risks on India Inc

The consultations were aimed at evaluating conditions on the ground so authorities would not be caught off guard if the conflict deepens

Kent RO delays IPO amid market volatility from West Asia conflict

Kent received regulatory clearance last June for a public listing comprising an offer for sale by existing shareholders, including Chairman and Managing Director Mahesh Gupta

US strikes southern Iran, including missile launch sites, in 'self-defence'

The US military said it carried out "self-defence" strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were "proceeding nicely". The strikes were done "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces", but the military was "using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire", Capt. Tim Hawkins, US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement on Monday. Further details were not immediately available, including more specifics on the threats from Iran and what this means for negotiations. Earlier, Trump said any agreement to end the Iran war should include a requirement for several additional countries, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreements from Trump's first term aimed at normalising relations with Israel. The proposal came as the emerging Iran deal faced criticism from fellow Republicans who favour a harder line on Iran,

Rubio speaks to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov; discuss Ukraine, Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war and the situation in Iran, the Department of State spokesperson said here. "The parties exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral relations, and the situation in Iran," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement on Monday. He said the request for the call was made by the Russian foreign minister. A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said that Lavrov conveyed Russia's decision to launch strikes on sites in Kyiv linked to the Ukrainian military. Lavrov said the "systematic and consistent strikes" were in "in response to the continuing terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime against the peaceful population and civilian sites on Russian territory". Lavrov also drew Rubio's attention to the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement which recommended that the US, along with other countries with diplomatic missions in Kiev, ensure the ..

Iran's enriched uranium will be turned over to US or destroyed, says Trump

Trump said this decision will be taken in 'conjunction and collaboration' with Iran, signalling Tehran's relaxing its stand as the two countries attempt to reach a peace agreement

Mexico prez sees 'no issue' hosting Iran's World Cup team during tournament

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that she has "no issue" with her country hosting Iran's World Cup team after its training base was moved from the United States to Mexico for the summer soccer competition. The team will still play its matches in the US but its base has been moved to Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, California, according to Iran's soccer federation. The development comes against the backdrop of the war in Iran, which the US and Israel launched on Feb 28. Sheinbaum said at a news conference Monday that she was told by a FIFA representative the US was reluctant to have the Iranian soccer team spend time outside the games on US territory. "The United States doesn't want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States," Sheinbaum told reporters. She said a FIFA representative had then asked, "Can they stay overnight in Mexico?" "And we said, Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that'," she said. Iran's soccer team is slate

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian orders restoration of internet access

Iranian authorities had imposed a near-total internet blackout across the country for more than 87 days

FM Nirmala Sitharaman flags 3 Fs: Fuel, fertiliser, foreign exchange

Says West Asia crisis bringing several uncertainties for businesses, common people

India turns to Latin America, Africa for crude oil amid West Asia crisis

In April and May, Indian refiners raised imports from Venezuela, Brazil, Angola and Nigeria to make up the shortfall, as well as continuing to buy Russian oil

Trump says US-Iran deal will be meaningful or there will be no deal

Iran and ​the United States have played down ​hopes for an imminent breakthrough in efforts to end ​their three old war on Monday

US making progress with Iran on Hormuz, but Trump remains cautious: Rubio

The US has made significant progress in negotiations with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but President Donald Trump is maintaining a cautious approach and will not accept a bad deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday. The remarks by the US Secretary of State, currently on a four-day trip to India, came amid indications that the US and Iran are looking at a preliminary deal to reopen the shipping lane before hammering out a comprehensive peace agreement. "Work is still in progress. We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today," he told a small group of reporters before leaving for Agra. "So we have what I think is a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of get the Strait open, enter into a very real, significant time-limited negotiation on the nuclear matters and hopefully we can pull it off," Rubio said The US Secretary of State said there has been global support for the ongoing efforts to end the conflict in West Asia, but added that the road to

Rupee rises 40 paise to 95.20 against US dollar on hopes of Iran peace deal

The rupee appreciated 40 paise to 95.20 against US dollar in early trade on Monday on optimism that the US and Iran were moving close to a peace deal even though they remained at odds over key issues, including blockades on the Strait of Hormuz. Forex traders said the rupee opened on a positive note as the US and Iran have "largely negotiated" a peace pact to end the nearly three-month war. US President Donald Trump has told the negotiators "not to rush into a deal" and that "both sides must take their time and get it right". Moreover, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US and India are on the verge of finalising an interim trade agreement after progress in negotiations with the US Trade Representative to visit India very soon. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.36 against the US dollar, then touched 95.20 in early trade, up 40 paise from its previous close. On Friday, the rupee rose 75 paise to close at 95.60 against the US dollar. "The trad

'Not going to make bad deal': Rubio says Iran pact still 'work in progress'

Highlighting that the negotiations have good faith and support among the Gulf partners, the US Secretary of State called it the 'right thing for the world to get done'

Oil falls 6% to two-week low as US-Iran seen moving closer to peace deal

Brent crude futures fell $5.85, or 5.7 per cent, to $97.69 ‌a barrel by 0343 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate were at $90.85 a barrel, down $5.75, or 6 per cent

Asian shares rise, oil dips after Trump says Iran talks progressing

Asian shares mostly rose Monday and oil prices plunged after US President Donald Trump said talks on ending the war with Iran are progressing. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 3.1 per cent in morning trading to 65,321.56. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.4 per cent to 8,692.70. The Shanghai Composite edged up 0.4 per cent to 4,127.53. Trading was closed in South Korea and Hong Kong for holidays marking Buddha's birthday. Trading will be closed in the US on Monday for Memorial Day. Trump said negotiations with Iran were "proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner." Meanwhile, regional officials told The Associated Press on Sunday that the United States is close to reaching a deal with Iran that would end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Reopening the Strait of Hormuz will help decide the direction of oil prices. The closure has prevented oil tankers from exiting the Persian Gulf and delivering crude to ...