Page 23 - Israel Iran Conflict

About 90 ships cross Strait of Hormuz as Iran exports oil despite war

About 90 ships including oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the outset of the war with Iran and it is still exporting millions of barrels of oil at a time when the waterway has been effectively closed, according to maritime and trade data platforms. Many of the vessels that passed through the strait were so-called "dark" transits evading Western government sanctions and oversight that likely have ties to Iran, maritime data firm Lloyd's List Intelligence said. More recently, vessels with ties to India and Pakistan have also successfully crossed the strait as governments stepped up negotiations. As crude prices spiked above USD 100 a barrel, US President Donald Trump pressured allies and trade partners to send warships and reopen the strait, hoping to bring oil prices lower. Most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway for global oil and gas transport that supplies roughly one-fifth of the world's crude oil, has been halted since early March, after

IRGC strikes over 100 targets in Tel Aviv amid 'Operation True Promise 4'

The strikes were launched in response to what Tehran described as unprovoked American-Israeli aggression

Iran war has US farmers worried about cost, availability of fertiliser

Tennessee farmer Todd Littleton expects to pay USD 100,000 more for fertiliser this season, a 40 per cent spike from his bill last year, thanks to the war in Iran - and he is scrambling to cover that extra cost. "The problem is, we're so strained financially coming into this issue," said Littleton, a third-generation farmer from Gibson County in the state's northwest corner. "We have had a couple of record losses the last couple of years, so everyone's kinda grabbing at straws anyway, and then to have input prices increase yet again, it just really couldn't happen at a worse time." Littleton, who grows corn, soybeans and wheat, is among thousands of farmers across the country who will pay far more this spring than they expected for fertiliser that is essential to their crops. Nitrogen-based fertiliser is especially vital for corn, usually the largest crop in the US and one that feeds the nation's livestock and is converted into fuel that helps power most US cars and trucks. Farmers

W Asia tensions cast uncertainty over 'vote flights' for Keralites in Gulf

As the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls approach, anxiety is growing among Gulf-based Keralite voters who are unsure if they will be able to return home to cast their votes this time. The concern is driven mainly by the ongoing tensions in West Asia involving Iran and IsraelUS allies, which have severely disrupted air travel. Thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed, and several countries have partially or fully closed their airspace, affecting major Gulf aviation hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. With limited flight services, frequent cancellations and rising ticket prices, expatriate voters fear that the usual "vote flight" arrangements may not be feasible this time. For years, organisations like the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), the overseas wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), have played a key role in helping expatriates participate in elections. During the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, hundreds of Keralites working in Gulf countries managed to return hom

Israeli strikes target Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon

The developments come amid the evolving security situation in West Asia and the Gulf

HPCL, IDBI Bank, L&T: Top wealth destroyers of West Asia war; strategy here

For OMCs, analysts suggest the fall in stock prices reflects, to some extent, the pain on account of higher crude oil prices that surged past the $100 a barrel (bbl) mark

West Asia war updates: Iran's Larijani killed; Trump decries Nato snub

The West Asia conflict showed no signs of easing on Day 19, with Israel striking Iran and Tehran confirming Ali Larijani's death; Donald Trump said US-Israel operations are 'proceeding very well'

Iranian missile with 'cluster bomb warhead' targets central Israel

Cluster bomb warheads indiscriminately spread dozens of sub munitions, each with several kilograms of explosives, over a radius of around 10 kilometres

Who was Ali Larijani, Iran's security chief killed in Israeli airstrike?

Iran said that security chief Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike, along with his son and aides, in one of the most significant hits to its leadership since the conflict began

WFP warns West Asia war could drive global hunger to record levels

The humanitarian agency warned that this war is sending 'shockwaves on food and fuel costs' across the globe

UAE air defences responding to incoming missile, drone threats from Iran

According to the Ministry of Defence, UAE's air defences are 'currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran'

Saudi Arabia to host Arab, Islamic ministers for regional stability talks

This consultative session is set to focus specifically on "consultation and coordination regarding ways to support the security and stability of the region

Gas shortage halts over 400 ceramic units in Gujarat's Morbi for 3 weeks

As many as 430 ceramic units in Gujarat's Morbi will not operate for at least three weeks as the West Asia conflict has disrupted the supply of gas required in the manufacturing process, a representative of the industry said. In Morbi, known as the ceramic city and the world's second-largest hub for ceramic tile production, nearly 450 out of the total 670 factories have already ceased operations due to the gas shortage and many more are on the verge of shutting down in the days to come, officials said. The ceramic industry relies heavily on propane or natural gas for its operations, particularly for firing kilns and drying processes. The West Asian region has been facing military turmoil with the US and Israeli forces engaging in a war against Iran, which has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a major passage for vessels. "A special meeting of ceramic units operating at Morbi in Gujarat was convened on Tuesday, where the owners of around 430 units engaged in consultations regarding the g

China ignores Trump's request to reopen Hormuz as Iran war deepens

China won't help the United States reopen the Strait of Hormuz as requested by President Donald Trump, but it is probably welcoming the delay in Trump's highly anticipated trip to Beijing as the US risks getting bogged down in the Middle East, analysts say. The latest developments are unfolding as Trump's Iran war, in its third week, is faced with mounting pressure as oil has stopped moving through the strait and US allies have refused to step up to secure the strait. That has produced concerns that China, the United States' biggest geopolitical rival, could stand to benefit from a war that some say was ill-considered. "President Trump's request to delay his long-awaited summit with President Xi Jinping underscores how significantly he underestimated the fallout from Operation Epic Fury," said Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy adviser for US-China relations at the International Crisis Group. "A show of US force that was meant to intimidate Beijing has instead served to punctur

Top Iranian leaders vow revenge after security chief Ali Larijani killed

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed deep grief over the loss, describing Larijani as a "virtuous, precious, and dear brother:

Iran confirms national security chief Ali Larijani killed in Israeli strike

The Secretariat of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said Ali Larijani was killed along with his son Mortaza Larijani, and SNSC deputy for security Alireza Bayat

Israel keeps killing key Iranian leaders. Will it help win the war?

Israeli officials trumpeted airstrikes that killed Iran's de facto leader and the commanders of a militia notorious for suppressing protests. But "decapitation has its limits," an analyst warns

Kharg Island is an appealing target for Trump, but with high risks

A US attack or a move to seize control of Iran's main oil export hub could cripple the country's ability to profit from its natural resources, but it would also risk sending energy prices even higher

LPG shortage spurs fistfights, use of firewood in India as war hits supply

As the Iran war enters the third week and cooking gas becomes scarce amid a conflict-driven supply shock

Top counterterrorism official Joseph Kent resigns in protest of Iran war

He is the first high-profile administration official to step down in protest of the conflict