Page 19 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Iran halts petrochemical exports to secure domestic supply amid disruptions

The export ban aims to stabilise domestic markets and ensure supply to local industries following damage caused by recent attacks

China asks Iran to ensure freedom of navigation through Strait of Hormuz

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a first such call issued by Beijing ever since Tehran started to put a squeeze on the critical waterway in the midst of its war with the US. Wang has sought guarantees of freedom and safety of international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday. Wang's call coincided with a Pakistan mediation delegation headed by Field Marshal Asim Munir reaching Tehran on Wednesday to discuss new peace proposals for a second round of talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad. China, a close ally of Iran and the largest importer of Iranian oil, was also concerned over the energy crisis accentuated by the US blockade of the Strait, preventing ships from carrying oil and gas from Iran's ports. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital 55-km-wide maritime choke point between Iran and Oman, managing roughly 20 per cent of global o

Bid to ease tensions: Trump announces Israel-Lebanon talks, first in 34 yrs

The announcement signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough in a region marked by an increase in hostility and intermittent conflict between Israel and Lebanon

Iran-linked tankers transit Strait of Hormuz via new route amid US blockade

Tankers G Summer and Hong Lu took an unusual route via Fujairah, the Gulf of Oman and along Iran's coast before entering the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting a rare, circuitous navigation path this week

Iran won't leave Hormuz until rights fully secured: Khamenei's advisor

Based on past negotiations, agreements must be drafted more carefully, with a stronger focus on economic issues, military adviser of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaei, said

West Asia war: Iran threatens to halt Gulf trade as US mulls new sanctions

Iran warns of blocking key Gulf trade routes as US plans tougher sanctions and ramps up pressure on Tehran. Here are the top updates at 10 am IST

US 'squeezing economic life' out of Iran, won't allow nukes: Trump aide

Miller emphasised that US President Donald Trump remains committed to pursuing peace but will not compromise on preventing Iran from developing nuclear capabilities

'Iran war may be as disruptive for India as Covid; long-term impact likely'

Although the government is sticking to its forecasts of 6.8 per cent-7.2 per cent for the fiscal year through March 2027, several economists have already started to downgrade their projections

Kotak Mahindra AMC outperforming 98% of peers bets on defence stocks

Indian defense firms have rallied in recent years on the back of policy support to boost domestic production and the government's focus on local procurement and capability building

US rules out renewing exemptions from sanctions on Russian, Iranian oil

The United States on Wednesday ruled out granting any further exemption from sanctions for the purchase of Russian or Iranian oil. US Treasury Scott Bessent announced at a press conference at the White House here. "We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11, so all that has been used," Bessent told reporters here. On March 5, the US issued a 30-day sanctions waiver to India, permitting it to buy Russian oil despite sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war. A few days later, the US extended the sanctions waiver to a few other nations. The waiver from sanctions expired on April 11.

White House rules out ceasefire extension, says talks with Iran 'ongoing'

White House Press Secretary said there was no formal request to extend the fragile ceasefire, while stressing that negotiations continue between the two sides

Israel, US goals on Iran 'identical', ready for any scenario: Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said Israel and the US share "identical goals" in the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Israeli prime minister said the US has been keeping Israel updated on its contacts with Iran and reiterated that both nations seek the removal of enriched material, an end to Iran's enrichment capabilities, and the reopening of key maritime routes. "Our goals and those of the United States are identical: We want to see the enriched material removed from Iran, we want to see the cancellation of enrichment capabilities within Iran, and of course, we want to see the opening of the straits," Netanyahu said in a statement. "It is too early to say how this matter will end, or even how it will progress. In anticipation of the possibility that fighting may resume, we are prepared for any scenario," he said, referring to the fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and US-Israel set to end on April 22. As Israeli forces and the Shi'ite Lebanese group Hezbollah

Will impose secondary sanctions if Iranian funds flow through China: US

The remarks come amid broader US efforts to tighten economic pressure on Iran and curb its financial networks, particularly those linked to oil trade and alleged support for proxy groups

Iran threatens to disrupt Gulf trade in response to US blockade of Hormuz

The commander of Iran's joint military command on Wednesday threatened to halt trade in the Gulf region if the US does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports. No vessels have made it past US naval forces during the first 48 hours of the blockade, according to the US Central Command. Even so, US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran was "very close to over" in an interview that aired Wednesday. Trump also claimed that China has agreed not to provide weapons to Iran as reports circulate that Beijing has considered transferring arms. China's Foreign Ministry has repeatedly denied in recent days that the country is providing any form of military support to Iran. Separately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned on Wednesday that the US is preparing to ramp up economic pain on Iran by levying secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with the Middle Eastern nation. Bessent called the measure the "financial equivalent" of the bombing campaign. Meanwhile, ...

Hezbollah slams Lebanon-Israel talks as 'national sin' amid strikes

Israeli strikes rocked southern Lebanon overnight and into Wednesday. Smoke rose over the coastal city of Tyre, underscoring the fragility of diplomatic efforts

Trump says Iran war near end as Pakistan army chief reaches Tehran

The diplomatic push came as US and Iranian officials weighed a return to Pakistan for further talks after negotiations there ended on Sunday without a breakthrough

US, Iran agree 'in principle' to extend ceasefire amid tensions: Report

As per a report, both sides - the US and Iran - are making progress and appear willing to prolong the truce to create space for continued diplomatic engagement

Pakistan plans two-hour evening power cuts to tackle energy crisis

Distribution companies in Pakistan have been directed to inform consumers in advance about scheduled outages and to avoid unscheduled power cuts

Minehunters move to Hormuz as US forces six vessels to return amid blockade

The blockade, ordered by US President Donald Trump, has effectively halted maritime trade to and from Iran

IAEA chief calls for strict nuclear checks in any US-Iran deal to end war

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that "very detailed" measures to verify Iran's nuclear activities must be included in a potential US-Iran agreement to end their war in the Middle East. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi stressed the need for the thorough verification regime for Iran's nuclear programme, as US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a second round of talks with Iran could happen over the next two days. The Trump administration has said that preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon is a key war aim. Iran has previously said it isn't developing such weapons but rejected limits on its nuclear programme. Last weekend in Pakistan, an initial round of talks between the two countries failed to produce an agreement. The White House said Iran's nuclear ambitions were a central sticking point. But an Iranian diplomatic official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the closed-door