Page 2 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Pak PM Sharif, Army Chief Munir leave for Switzerland for US-Iran talks

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and its Army Chief Asim Munir left for Switzerland early Sunday to participate in the technical-level talks between the US and Iran. As a follow-up to the signing of the Islamabad MoU, technical-level talks will be held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on Sunday, according to the prime minister's office. "The prime minister, along with a high-level delegation, has departed from Islamabad for Switzerland," the PMO said in its statement issued after midnight. It added that Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Munir will participate in these talks. Earlier, Pakistan had announced that the talks would be held in Switzerland after they were postponed on Friday. The talks are aimed at adding key details to the preliminary accord to halt the nearly four-month war between the US and Iran signed earlier this week by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. US Vice President J D Vance was initially supposed to hold a first rou

Iran negotiators, Vance head for Switzerland as Lebanon fighting continues

The IRGC warned ships would be at risk ​if they approached the waterway, a vital conduit for global oil and gas supplies

US to charge tolls in Hormuz if Iran deal not reached in 60 days: Trump

US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose US tolls in the Strait of Hormuz if a final deal with Iran isn't reached in 60 days. Trump, spending the weekend at Camp David, underscored that the initial agreement to end the war with Iran calls for toll-free travel through the vital waterway for 60 days. Then he said: "there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired, unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed." Trump said the money would be for "services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East for purposes of both past, present, and future reimbursement of costs." The US president has faced a lot of blowback domestically for how the memorandum of understanding with Iran addresses the issue of tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. The deal only secures toll-free passage for 60 days and doesn't preclude future fees.

Iran resumes crude exports from Kharg Island after US lifts blockade

Iran has been the early winner from the easing of tensions with the US following the signing of an interim peace deal and has wasted no time in resuming oil exports

Three India-flagged oil tankers cross Hormuz with 94 crew onboard

Three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers carrying over 8.6 lakh million tonnes of cargo with 94 crew members from the country transited through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and are en route to India, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. The three crude oil tankers -- Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor, and Sanmar Herald -- are expected to arrive in India between June 24 and July 1. While Desh Vaibhav is expected to reach Vadinar Port on June 24, Desh Vibhor is likely to arrive at Sikka Port the same day. Sanmar Herald, the third Indian-flagged oil tanker to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, is scheduled to reach Paradip on July 1. "3 Indian-flagged crude oil tankers, Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald carrying over 8.6 Lakh MT of cargo with 94 Indian crew members have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz today and are en route to India," Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sonowal said in a post on X. "Under the decisive leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri ...

Peace talks with Iran on track; Witkoff, Kushner in Switzerland: Vance

US Vice President J D Vance said on Saturday the peace talks with Iran were on and negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were already in Switzerland. In an interview with Fox News, Vance said he also planned to join the talks in Switzerland in the next few days, contending that the US has all the cards. "We'll plan the talks when the principals from the Iranian government, also the Qatari and the Pakistani governments arrive. That may happen as soon as tomorrow, but these things are always a little bit in flux," Vance said. "Jared and Steve have been on the ground now for a few hours, dealing with some of the technical elements of this negotiation," Vance added. US President Donald Trump and Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the Memorandum of Understanding to end the over three-month war and technical aspects of the agreement were to be discussed by negotiators in Switzerland beginning Friday. However, there was a delay due to a fresh round of firing between Israel and

US-Iran talks due Sunday, but Tehran closes Hormuz over Israeli strikes

Iran's joint military command said on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and US "bad faith" and "its clear breach of its commitments" by failing to end the war. The statement on state television also warned that "if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned." Ships had begun transiting the strait after the interim US-Iran agreement was signed earlier in the week. Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday killed at least 16 people, including two children, hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire agreement. The persistent fighting threatened an interim agreement between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.

US-Iran nuclear talks delayed as Israel-Hezbollah clashes intensify

Iran postponed negotiations that were meant to begin in Switzerland on Friday because of the ongoing fighting

Indian supertanker resumes voyage to Hormuz after mid-journey U-turn

Desh Vibhor, operated by Shipping Corp of India, briefly reversed course before resuming its journey toward the Strait of Hormuz as shipping movements remain under watch amid West Asia tensions

At least five killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon despite ceasefire

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to the ceasefire on Friday following an escalation in hostilities in Lebanon

Trump says he urged Israel to back Hezbollah ceasefire, hails US-Iran MoU

Trump said he had been in contact with Israel earlier in the day and encouraged its leadership to support the ceasefire effort

Oil prices fall as tankers resume transit through Strait of Hormuz

By 0645 GMT, Brent crude futures gained 51 cents, or 0.64 per cent, to $80.36 a barrel, and ‌US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.28, or 1.7 per cent, to $77.88 a barrel

US-Iran talks in Switzerland called off, raising doubts over lasting peace

Switzerland confirmed that planned talks between US and Iranian negotiators would not take place on Friday, while Washington cited logistical challenges

Supertankers with 80 million barrels of oil ready to pass through Hormuz

Data from Vortexa shows most cargoes are destined for Asia, with several tankers already indicating routes toward China and regional transshipment hubs in Southeast Asia

Israeli military strikes southern Lebanon, killing at least 16 people

Israel's military said Friday its forces struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported at least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes. The attacks came as planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States over their efforts to reach a permanent end to the Iran war were delayed. Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon and its continued attacks on the Iranian-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah has been a key issue in the talks. Israel maintains it must continue to hold the territory and have a free hand to battle Hezbollah as it has been launching attacks into northern Israel. The talks being postponed trip comes after Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied with Hezbollah, reported that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over ongoing Israel's military campaign in Lebanon.

India's return to West Asian oil set to be slow despite Hormuz reopening

State refiners have already secured sufficient crude for the next two months and are evaluating long-term supply commitments from West Asian producers

Security blunder, American surrender: Critics attack Trump on peace deal

While Trump has hailed the Iran-US MoU as a step towards regional stability, critics have denounced the framework as a premature concession that grants Tehran significant benefits

Trump used 'all kinds of leverage', says Mojtaba Khamenei on US-Iran deal

Khamenei said Iran agreed to the US-Iran deal only after assurances on national rights, while insisting future talks with Washington do not mean accepting American demands

'You can't kill your way to security': JD Vance's blunt warning to Israel

US vice-president publicly rebukes Israel over Iran and Lebanon, arguing that military force alone cannot guarantee security and reminding Jerusalem that Washington remains its strongest ally

Uncertainty remains over Hormuz transit fees as Vance skirts questions

The US-Iran memorandum guarantees free passage for commercial vessels for 60 days, but leaves future administration of the strategic waterway to negotiations involving Iran, Oman and other Gulf states