Page 18 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Brent at $114: Why inventory drawdowns are resetting crude's floor

Brent near $114 signals tight supply as inventories plunge. Backwardation, outages, and demand risks amid Iran war may reset crude's floor to $75-80, says Anindya Banerjee of Kotak Securities

Two months of West Asia war: 4 lessons for India from US-Iran conflict

An important lesson from the history of geopolitical conflicts, including wars, is that their impact on the stock market is short-lived.

Oil outlook: Prolonged Iran war, Hormuz disruption may keep Brent near $90

Prolonged Strait of Hormuz disruption may keep oil prices higher for longer, says Mohammed Imran of Mirae Asset Sharekhan. He forecasts Brent at $90 in Q4-CY26; risks skew to $120 on supply shock

US sanctions Iran's 35 'shadow banking' architecture under Op Economic Fury

The move aims to choke off a financial lifeline that has moved tens of billions of dollars to fund the Iranian regime's armed forces, missile programs, and regional terrorist proxies

Best of BS Opinion: India's FTA with New Zealand shows agile deal-making

From India's FTA strategy and Sun Pharma's global ambitions to LPG shortages, West Asia risks and Asean ties, here are the key insights from today's Opinion page

West Asia war: Dollar strength took sheen off gold, silver's safe haven image

Liquidity dynamics have also played a role. In volatile markets, investors often sell gold and silver to raise cash or meet margin calls, creating temporary downward pressure on precious metals.

UAE to walk out of Opec, Opec+; India may gain from supply shifts

The UAE, with capacity of around 4.8 million barrels per day, has long been one of the most influential and compliant members of Opec+, and is currently the fourth-largest producer in the alliance

Trump claims Iran has just 'informed the US it's in a State of Collapse'

Trump claimed Iran has just' informed the US it's in a State of Collapse. "They want us to "Open the Hormuz Strait," as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation," Trump posted on social media. He added that he believes they will be able to sort out reported divisions within the Islamic Republic government about negotiations with the US. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about who on the Iranian side delivered the message, who in the Republican administration received it and whether the communications were conducted directly with the US or through an intermediary.

India at UNSC urges early restoration of Hormuz maritime passage route

Amid the West Asia crisis, India has urged restoration of safe and unimpeded maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz at the earliest while expressing concern about safety of its seafarers, stressing that any "purported closure" of vital waterways has direct consequences for the global economy. Addressing the UN Security Council open debate on 'The Safety and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain' on Monday, Charge d'affaires at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Ambassador Yojna Patel, stressed that India sees maritime security and the protection of waterways as essential to global security and economic prosperity. "As a major trading nation, India strongly deplores the recent targeting of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the endangerment of innocent civilian crew members. Such actions have resulted in the tragic loss of precious lives of Indian seafarers and are unacceptable," Patel said during the debate held under the Council Presidency of

The small UK agency that's a 911 for ships in the Strait of Hormuz

At a military base outside Portsmouth, England, a 24-hour service monitors the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and part of the Indian Ocean, responding to distress calls

Conflict in West Asia intensifies electronics industry cost pressures

The West Asia conflict has disrupted critical PCB materials, adding a new layer of cost pressure on electronics makers already dealing with rising memory prices and supply constraints

Indian airlines warn govt soaring fuel costs threaten ops, seek urgent help

India's top airlines have asked the government for urgent relief as record-high jet fuel prices raise costs, threaten flight operations and may lead to higher fares and route cuts

First LNG shipment exits Hormuz since war began, easing supply concerns

While the potential passage may raise hopes of increased LNG exports from the region, other vessels in the Gulf appear to be remaining in place

Two months of West Asia war: Analysts see smallcap's outperformance continuing

From their February 27, 2026, level, the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rallied 6.5 per cent, while the Nifty Midcap 100 index gained 2.2 per cent. In comparison, the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex are still down.

Oil prices up 2% as stalled US-Iran talks keep Hormuz supply risks high

Brent crude futures for June climbed $2.32, or 2.1 per cent, to $110.55 a barrel as of 0638 GMT, after gaining 2.8 per cent in the previous session to its highest close since April 7

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