Page 23 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Asian markets falter as hot US inflation, shaky Iran ceasefire weigh

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.6 per cent, down for a second day ​as Korean shares fell as much as 3.2 per cent before rebounding

'Virtual treason': Trump accuses US media of giving 'false hope' to Iran

Trump made the latest slew of remarks in a post on Truth Social and slammed the press for 'aiding and abetting' by giving 'false hope' to Iran

US lawmakers query Iran war cost as Trump renews destruction threat

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to give a breakdown of costs as he faced questions about the conflict in Congress, as part of a hearing $1.5 trn defence request

'Going to do whatever is necessary': Trump on Russian oil waiver amid war

The United States had eased sanctions on Russian oil in mid-March to counteract global oil shortages resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz

'Lack of faith, dishonesty by US obstacle to end war': Iran foreign min

According to the Iranian state broadcaster, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in talks with Norway's deputy foreign minister during a meeting in Tehran

Trump, Hegseth claim 'control' over Iran, Hormuz amid stalled peace talks

Kuwait accused Iran of launching a failed attack earlier this month on an island where China is helping build a port in the Middle East nation. The accusation brought Tuesday came just before US President Donald Trump departed for Beijing where he'll meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a high-stakes visit over the war and other issues. Trump said he would have a "long talk" about Iran with Xi but said trade would be a bigger focus. As he left for the summit, Trump again threatened Iran if its leaders don't reach an agreement on its nuclear program. "We have Iran very much under control," Trump said. "We're either going to make a deal or they're going to be decimated. One way or the other, we win." Iran didn't immediately acknowledge the allegation by Kuwait, which came under attack by Iran in the war and during the shaky ceasefire still holding. But that allegation and ongoing attacks throughout the region have threatened to reignite open warfare. The narrow Strait of Hormuz

Best of BS Opinion: PM Modi issues a fiscal call to arms

From Modi's austerity appeal and India's learning crisis to geopolitical trade shifts, AI accountability and public health reforms - here are today's key Opinion takeaways

Iran could enrich uranium to weapons-grade if attacked again, says lawmaker

The fate of around 400kg of uranium enriched to 60 per cent , a short technical step from roughly 90 per cent weapons-grade material, remains unclear

US plans to escalate Iran war as ceasefire looks fragile: Hegseth

Hesgeth, speaking at a congressional hearing on the Pentagon's budget request, said the US military had several options in West Asia, but he declined to describe the administration's next step

Israel sent Iron Dome batteries, personnel to UAE for defence: US envoy

Israel sent Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and personnel to operate them to the United Arab Emirates to defend the country during the Iran war, the US ambassador to the country said Tuesday. Mike Huckabee made the comment on stage at an event in Tel Aviv, Israel. "I'd like to say a word of appreciation for United Arab Emirates, the first Abraham accord member," Huckabee said at the Tel Aviv Conference. "Just look at the benefits. Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them." The United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, diplomatically recognised Israel in 2020. The UAE did not immediately respond to a request for comment over the acknowledgment by Huckabee, though it underlined the growing defence relationship between the countries long suspicious of Iran.

Shipping disruption continues in Hormuz as US rejects Iran's peace proposal

Iran responded to last week's US peace proposal by demanding a lifting of Washington's naval blockade and sanctions relief, while maintaining a degree of control over traffic through the strait

Oil prices rise as fragile US-Iran ceasefire talks keep supply fears alive

Brent ​crude futures were up 30 cents, or 0.29 per cent, at $104.51 per barrel, while US West Texas ‌Intermediate gained 31 cents, or 0.32 per cent, to $98.38 by 0002 GMT

Oil Minister Puri rules out fuel shortage as LPG production raised sharply

Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri On Tuesday assured that there is no fuel supply issue and said the government has ramped up LPG production from 35,000-36,000 tonnes/day to 54,000 tonnes amid West Asia conflict. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit, Puri said there is no LPG supply issue and the country has 69 days of crude oil, LNG stock and 45 days of LPG stock. "LPG production has been ramped up from 35,000-36,000 tonnes/day to 54,000 tonnes amid West Asia conflict," he said. The Oil Minister said PM Narendra Modi's austerity appeal should be taken as a wake up call and urged to start thinking of "measures" to lessen fiscal strain from West Asia conflict. "PM Narendra Modi's austerity appeal is a wake up call to start thinking of measures to lessen fiscal strain from West Asia conflict," Puri said at the summit. Modi on Sunday called for judicious use of fuel, postponement of gold purchases and foreign travel, among other measures, to strengthen the economy. Addressing a

Govt mulling emergency measures to protect foreign-exchange reserves

Officials in the Prime Minister's Office and Finance Ministry have held discussions with the Reserve Bank of India on several measures that could be taken to limit the damage from soaring oil prices

Rupee falls to record low of 95.63 against US dollar in early trade

The rupee depreciated 35 paise to a record low of 95.63 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, after US President Donald Trump said that the ceasefire with Iran was on life support with hopes for a deal with the country fading, triggering a surge in crude oil prices. Market sentiments remained dominated by fears that the 10-week-old conflict could further tighten global supply, particularly after Trump rejected Tehran's latest response to a US-backed peace proposal, calling it totally unacceptable. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.57 against the US dollar and then fell further to an all-time low of 95.63 against the greenback, down 35 paise from its previous close. On Monday, the rupee tanked 79 paise to settle at its record low of 95.28 against the US dollar. "Oil prices were largely steady in Asian trade on Tuesday after climbing nearly 3 per cent in the previous session, as US President Trump said that the ceasefire with Iran was on life

Nations brace for long-term economic woes as Trump rejects Iran's proposal

President Trump said the fragile cease-fire was on 'life support,' and India's leader urged residents to cut back on purchases and travel

US left negotiating table, destroyed nuclear talks twice: Iranian official

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that they are under a nominal ceasefire, as, under international law, the blockade itself is considered an act of war

'Economic Fury': US sanctions 12 entities over sale of Iranian oil to China

US Treasury Department accused the IRGC of using the revenue to direct it towards weapons development, backing terrorist proxies and funding security forces

Pakistan parked Iranian military planes on its airbases to avoid US strikes

Pakistan, which is playing mediator to end the US-Iran war, allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields to shield them from American airstrikes, CBS News reported here quoting US officials. The report also claimed that Iran had also parked its civilian aircraft in neighbouring Afghanistan to protect it from US airstrikes. Reacting to the report, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called for a complete re-evaluation of Pakistan's role as a mediator to end the US-Iran war that broke out on February 28 and has been put on pause since April 8. "If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties," Graham, the Senator from South Carolina, said in a post on X. "Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true," Graham said. The CBS report, quoting unnamed US officials, said that Iran has

Iran prepared for every scenario with surprises, seeks end to war: Official

When it comes to our military might and military capacities, I'm not going to go into details, but I can assure everyone that Iran has many surprises, Esmaeil Baghaei said