Page 17 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Iran gunboats fire on tanker in Strait of Hormuz as restrictions return

The duelling blockades in the Strait of Hormuz lurched into uncharted waters on Saturday as the United States pressed ahead with its campaign to choke off Iranian ports and Iran reversed an initial move to reopen the waterway, firing on a ship attempting to pass. Confusion over the critical chokepoint threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy and push the two countries toward renewed conflict, even as mediators expressed confidence a new deal was within reach. Iran's joint military command said on Saturday that "control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control of the armed forces." It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. Two gunboats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said on Saturday. It

Iran rejects Trump claim, says it will not hand over enriched uranium to US

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh dismissed claims from US President Donald Trump over the uranium and sounded a note of caution with regard to future talks between the two countries. Speaking to the Associated Press in the Turkish city of Antalya, Khatibzadeh said the Iranians were not ready for a new round of face-to-face talks with the US because the Americans "have not abandoned their maximalist position." On Friday, Trump said the US will go into Iran and "get all the nuclear dust," referring to the 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites badly damaged by US military strikes last year.

Iran reimposes restrictions on Hormuz, accuses US of violating deal

Iran swiftly reversed course on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions on the critical waterway on Saturday after the US said the move would not end its blockade. The country's joint military command said on Saturday that it "control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control of the armed forces." It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. The announcement came the morning after US President Donald Trump said the American blockade "will remain in full force" until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.

Iran partially reopens airspace after 7 week shutdown amid ceasefire

Iran on Saturday announced a partial reopening of its airspace after a seven-week hiatus because of the war, state media reported. The Civil Aviation Organisation said air routes over eastern Iran were reopened at 7 am (0330 GMT), according to the state-owned IRAN newspaper. It said flights at the country's airports would gradually resume, but did not give a timeframe. Iran's airspace had been closed since the US and Israel began striking Iran on Feb. 28. The partial reopening has come more than a week into a ceasefire between Iran and the US.

Greek, Indian tankers make U-turn near Hormuz over reopening uncertainty

Greek and Indian tankers had all made their journeys northeast toward Hormuz from waters off Dubai, filled with crude, before they began turning around on Saturday morning

Won't impose 'traditional fees' on passage of ships through Hormuz: Iran

Spokesman for Iran's National Security Committee, Ebrahim Rezaei stated that vessels would only be allowed to pass through Hormuz in coordination with Iranian authorities

Assassination and statecraft: US objectives unmet, Iran grows tougher

American objectives are unmet. They neither have the muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime hasn't just survived, it's now led by more radical individuals

US extends waiver allowing India, others to buy Russian oil till May 16

The waiver comes despite earlier US reluctance, as war-linked supply disruptions and Strait of Hormuz curbs push oil prices higher and test Western efforts to restrict Russia's revenues

Trump telegraphs end to West Asia conflict as focus shifts to economy

With the elections nearing, domestic political pressure could be weighing on the president to end the hostilities

Air Canada to suspend flights to JFK for 5 months as jet fuel costs soar

Air Canada will suspend service to New York's JFK International airport over the summer as the war in Iran creates jet fuel shortages that have sent prices soaring. Canada's flag carrier said Friday that service from Toronto and Montreal to JFK will cease June 1 and resume Oct 25. Service to the New York metropolitan area's two other airports - LaGuardia and Newark - will continue. Air Canada offers 34 flights a day to those two airports from six Canadian cities. Air Canada says it will reach out to customers who are impacted by the suspension with alternate travel options. "As jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict and some lower profitability routes and flights are no longer economic, and we are making schedule adjustments accordingly," a spokesman for the Montreal-based carrier said Friday. The average price for a gallon of jet fuel reached $4.32 on Thursday, up from $2.50 the day before the war in Iran broke out, according to Argus Media. Oil prices

Iran rejects Trump's claim of deal to transfer enriched uranium to US

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran would not allow such a move under any circumstances

Negotiations not weakness, country reclaimed its sovereignty: Lebanese prez

President Joseph Aoun on Friday struck a defiant tone in his first address since a US-brokered ceasefire took hold, saying he wants Lebanon to chart its own course after weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah. The president said he wants to see Lebanon "flourishing, not committing suicide". He condemned Hezbollah's rocket fire into northern Israel that triggered the latest round of fighting, and criticised Iran's role in arming and backing the group. He framed both as violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and again vowed to disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah. In a pointed response to Hezbollah's criticism of Lebanon's direct talks with Israel and claims that Beirut lacks leverage, Aoun said the country will make its own decisions and stand by demands shared across Lebanese society, not ones dictated by Iran or its allies. "There will be no concessions to any principle, no infringement of the sovereignty of this country," he said. Aoun also reiterated calls for Israel t

India joins the France, UK-led summit on securing Strait of Hormuz shipping

India Friday joined a summit of dozens of countries that was hosted by France and the UK to deliberate securing the Strait of Hormuz for unimpeded shipping. New Delhi attended the summit as an observer. It is learnt that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India. Misri had participated in a similar meeting through virtual mode that was organised by the UK on April 2. Hours before the summit began, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has been invited to participate in it. The summit was held at the Elysee Palace in Paris and chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Iran's foreign minister says the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire It took place shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire. "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, t

Oil settles down 9% as Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open; Brent at $90.38

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled down $10.48, ‌or 11.45 per cent, at $83.85 a barrel, after touching a low of $80.56

Traffic, trepidation in Persian Gulf may delay gasoline price declines

After US President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister said the Strait of Hormuz was fully open to commercial vessels after almost seven weeks of war, oil prices plunged 10 per cent and the stock market rallied Friday. Motorists, hoping for relief at the pump, wondered how quickly gasoline prices might fall once oil tankers stuck in the Persian Gulf were moving again. A gallon of regular gasoline cost USD 4.08 on average in the US Friday, which was 37 per cent more than before US and Israel attacked Iran but down a few cents from a week ago. But when gas prices spike, they do not typically drop as quickly as the cost of crude. Even if Iran keeps the waterway open in the face of a US blockade of its vessels, it still could take months for fuel prices to return to levels resembling those enjoyed before the war began February 28, energy experts said. The slow speed at which oil tankers travel from ports to refineries, lingering security concerns, traffic in the strait and damage t

US sanctions Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders; warns over Hormuz security

The US imposed sanctions on seven senior commanders of Iraqi militias that are supported by Iran, including groups like Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, for allegedly planning and carrying out attacks on US personnel and coalition forces in the region. Officials have said the move is part of a broader effort to counter Iran's influence in Iraq and deter further violence against US interests. The action also signifies a US strategy of using economic pressure, not just military force, to target Iran's network of allies, while warning global banks and firms to stop doing business with anyone tied to these groups. "We will not allow Iraq's terrorist militias, backed by Iran, to threaten American lives or interests," Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said Friday. "Those who enable these militias' violence will be held accountable." US Central Command says ships moving through Strait of Hormuz ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "We'll s

Thousands join pro-Iran rally in Tehran, chant anti-US, anti-Israel slogans

People took part in an anti-US and anti-Israel rally at Enghelab Square amid a ceasefire between the US and Iran, in Tehran

Next round of US-Iran talks likely to be held in Pakistan on April 20

Earlier, Islamabad Peace Talks, held on April 11-12, marked a historic but inconclusive diplomatic attempt to end the 39-day Gulf War between the United States and Iran

'We never needed them': Trump criticises Nato after Hormuz developments

His remarks come amid renewed debate over Nato's role in regional security and energy route stability, particularly as tensions in the Gulf have fluctuated in recent weeks

Refiners likely used yuan through ICICI Bank for payment of Iranian oil

Last month, Washington unveiled ​30-day waivers on US sanctions for the purchase of Russian and Iranian oil at sea in ‌an attempt to ease prices that were driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran