Page 22 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

US turns up pressure on Iraq to distance itself from Iran-linked militias

Washington is demanding that the Baghdad government dismantle Iran-backed Iraqi militias that have been attacking Americans and US sites there recently

Iran urges UN to press US to release seized commercial vessel Touska

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani raised 'urgent concern' over the 'deliberate' targeting of Iranian commercial ships

US sanctions target Iranian weapons and UAV procurement networks

The action was announced by the US Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, which said those designated are based in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, but maintains blockade as talks falter

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request while awaiting a "unified proposal" from Tehran, even as the US military maintains its blockade of Iranian ports. The move comes as the White House put on hold Vice President JD Vance's planned trip to Pakistan for a second round of truce talks with Iran, which has balked at further discussions. But Trump warned that the US military will continue its blockade of Iranian ports. Trump made the announcement as ceasefire talks looked increasingly uncertain with a two-week truce set to expire on Wednesday. Both countries had said they were prepared to resume fighting if no deal is reached. Trump said he would "extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other." Iran has yet to decide whether to join the negotiations in Pakistan, a foreign ministry spokesman said earlier Tuesday, and will only take part if Tehran believ

Best of BS Opinion: West Asia risks, RBI stance, AI, GDP debate

From West Asia tensions and RBI policy signals to AI in drug trials, fiscal risks, GDP debates and India-China strategy, today's BS Opinion offers a wide-ranging view of key economic and geopolitical

Top oil traders warn Hormuz closure risks global recession, demand hit

The vital energy channel has been largely closed to non-Iranian shipping since war began at the end of February, choking off hundreds of millions of barrels of supply

IMO prepares evacuation plan for hundreds of ships stuck in Persian Gulf

The plan can only be put into action when there are clear signs of de-escalation, according to Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez

US-Iran ceasefire likely to be extended, says former Centcom chief

The ceasefire between the US and Iran is expected to be extended beyond the initial two-week period, as both sides are willing to continue negotiations, former Central Command chief David H Petraeus has said. The ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday. Petraeus, the former general who also served as CIA director, said that there is a "reasonable expectation" that the ceasefire could be prolonged as negotiators from both sides prepare for a possible second round of talks in Islamabad, although uncertainty remains over final participation. "I think both the US and Iran want to extend the ceasefire," he told PTI Videos in an interview on Monday. His comments came amid US media reports that Vice President J D Vance is likely to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks with Iran to end the seven-week war. On the other hand, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that his country has yet to decide whether to attend the next round

Oil slips on hopes US-Iran talks likely to proceed, boosting supply

Brent futures ​declined 95 cents, or 1%, at $94.53, as of 0003 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures ‌for May fell $1.54, or 1.72%, to $88.07

Scam messages offering ships safe passage via Hormuz, warns security firm

The US has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has lifted and then re-imposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

Trump signals no truce extension with Iran on eve of scheduled peace talks

Trump said in an interview on Monday that the ceasefire expires on Wednesday evening in Washington and he is 'not going to be rushed into making a bad deal'

JD Vance likely to travel to Islamabad today for next round of peace talks

US Vice President J D Vance is likely to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks with Iran to end the seven-week war, according to a media report. On Monday, US President Donald Trump told The New York Post that the Vance-led delegation was already en route to Islamabad, while other media outlets reported that the vice president was very much in Washington. Vance is expected to reach Islamabad as the two-week ceasefire, agreed to between the US and Iran on April 8, ends amid threats by Trump to bomb bridges and power plants in Iran if both sides fail to reach a deal. With Vance expected to reach Islamabad late Tuesday, Trump has effectively extended the ceasefire by a day till Wednesday. "Vice President Vance is expected to depart for Islamabad by Tuesday morning for talks with Iran over a potential deal to end the war," American news outlet Axios reported, quoting three US sources. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to join Vance. The fragile cease

Seized Iranian ship Touska likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US

The security sources said their initial assessments were the vessel was likely to be carrying dual-use items after a voyage from Asia

Iran war-driven scarcity hitting Asia may soon spread across the world

The Asia-Pacific was hit hard and quick by the war in Iran and its energy bottlenecks; scenes of crisis there indicate that problems are multiplying and spreading

'Immediate Results' vs 'The Long Game': US, Iran clash in high-stakes talks

As the United States and Iran make a second attempt at a deal, their negotiating styles are on a collision course

'Lots of bombs' to fall on Iran if no deal: Trump warns ahead of deadline

Trump warns of escalation ahead of April 22 deadline even as US plans fresh talks in Islamabad amid blockade continuing in the Strait of Hormuz

'We don't accept negotiations under shadow of threats': Iran Parl speaker

"We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats," Parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf wrote early Tuesday morning in Tehran in a social media post on X. He accused the United States of wanting Iran to surrender and said that on the contrary, Iran has been preparing "to reveal new cards on the battlefield." President Donald Trump said Vice President JD Vance, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff would be going Monday to Islamabad, where Pakistani officials were preparing the venue, but Iranians made no commitment to a second round of talks with the US, and Vance's motorcade was later spotted at the White House. Trump said he's "highly unlikely" to renew the ceasefire before it expires at 0000 GMT Wednesday (8 pm ET Tuesday.) The escalating standoff threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy after nearly two months of fighting that Iran's forensic chief has killed at least 3,375 people in Iran. Israel and Lebanon meanwhile said

New US-Iran deal 'far better' than 2015 deal: Trump slams Obama, Biden

Donald Trump vows 'better' Iran deal than Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as US team heads to Islamabad for talks

Pakistan prepares for peace talks despite US seizure of Iranian cargo ship

President Donald Trump is defending his Iran war strategy, attacking critics and skeptics on Monday as "TRAITORS, ALL" after a second round of talks with Iran were thrown into doubt by the US Navy's seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. It was the first such interception since the US blockade of Iranian ports began last week, and Iran's military vowed to respond. Trump said Vice President JD Vance, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff would be going in Islamabad on Monday, where Pakistani officials were preparing the venue, but Iranians made no commitment to a Round Two of talks with the US, and Vance's motorcade was later spotted at the White House. Trump appeared to throw cold water on hopes for an agreement, telling Bloomberg News Monday that he's "highly unlikely" to renew the ceasefire before it expires Wednesday. The escalating standoff threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy after nearly two months of ...

Domestic production of oil, gas ramped up amid West Asia crisis: RBI Guv

The current crisis in West Asia significantly impacts India, as the region accounts for approximately one-sixth of the country's exports, half of its crude oil imports, and nearly two-fifths of the inward remittances, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra said. During his address at Princeton University on April 18, 2026, the governor highlighted that the Indian economy has demonstrated resilient growth over the past decade, supported by robust policy frameworks, financial stability, and sound fiscal policies. He noted that, in response to the ongoing crisis, India is increasing its domestic production of oil and gas. "Sources of imports are being diversified. While there is no shortage of oil, given the reserves maintained by us, there is some rationing of gas for industrial purposes," he said. Malhotra emphasised that while oil marketing companies and the government have absorbed some of the price pressures in oil, a portion of the pressures on gas prices has been .