Page 25 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

US, Iran cite progress in talks as uncertainty hangs over Strait of Hormuz

Neither side offered any specifics about the state of negotiations, days before a fragile ceasefire in the US-Israeli war against Iran is set to expire

West Asia conflict revives stagflation dangers for global economy

Whether the twin blows affecting growth and inflation seen in purchasing manager indexes after the first month of the Iran conflict intensified during month two will be a key focus

Iran reviewing US proposals, says Hormuz curbs to stay till war ends

Iran on saturday said that it is reviewing new proposals put forward by the US. Iran's Supreme National Security Council said in a statement that Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir, serving as an intermediary, presented the proposals to Iran when he recently visited Tehran, and they were still under review. It was not revealed what was in the proposals. The council said Iran has yet to respond, but further talks would require the US to abandon "excessive demands and adjust its requests to the realities on the ground." It also said that Iran will maintain full control over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until "the war fully ends and lasting peace is achieved in the region," adding that it would collect detailed information on passing vessels, issue transit certificates and impose tolls. The council added that it considered the US naval blockade a violation of the ceasefire, and there would be no reopening of the Strait of Hormuz until that was lifted. Meanwhile, US President D

India condemns attack on French UN Peacekeepers, seeks accountability

India on Saturday issued a stern condemnation following a deadly attack on French UN Peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).The official statement, released by the Ministry of External Affairs, underscored India's long-standing role as a leading contributor to global peacekeeping and its commitment to the safety of those serving under the Blue Helmet.In a press statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "We strongly condemn the attack that took place today on French UN Peacekeepers deployed in UNIFIL. We pay our homage to the fallen Blue Helmet and wish a speedy recovery to the three other peacekeepers who were injured."The UNIFIL, in a statement issued on its telegram channel, said that on Saturday morning, a UNIFIL patrol clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah to re-establish links with isolated UNIFIL positions came under small-arms fire from non-state actors."Tragically, one peacekeeper succumbed to his

Iran stopped over 14 India-bound ships in Hormuz, hit one by gunfire

A convoy of 14 India-bound ships carrying crude oil and gas were stopped by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) by firing at two of them while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz, leading to 13 of the vessels returning to different locations in the Persian Gulf, official sources privy to the development said. An Indian-flag carrying ship, which was hit by bullets fired by the IRGC while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, was carrying crude oil and a window pane was broken, forcing it to stop the journey and return. The extent of damage to the second vessel was not immediately known but it also had returned. However, another ship, which was Indian flagged and loaded with crude oil for the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, sailed through the Strait and is now heading towards India, the sources said. Two Iranian gunboats approached the targeted tanker and fired at it without warning. Gunboats approached the vessel 37 kilometres northeast of Oman, causing other vessels

India summons Iranian envoy after firing on its vessels in Hormuz

As per reports, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had carried out at least three attacks on commercial ships in the strait since Saturday morning

Tensions high in Hormuz as Iran hits ships, US blockade turns back vessels

Tensions gripped West Asia as uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz deepened, with Iran claiming control and hitting vessels, while the US military moved in parallel to regulate traffic

No date set for next US talks: Iran deputy foreign minister Khatibzadeh

The highest-level US-Iran talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in Islamabad without agreement last weekend

Indian vessels turn back as Iran gunboats fire on tanker in Hormuz: Report

Two Indian vessels have had to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following reports of gunfire from Iran's Revolutionary Guard, a vessel-tracker said. TankerTrackers.com said the vessels include an Indian-flagged super tanker, carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil. Earlier, the British military said two gunboats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz after Iran said it had reimposed restrictions on the vital waterway. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said the tanker and crew were reported safe, without identifying the vessel or its destination. Iran said earlier it was reimposing restrictions on the strait in response to a US blockade on Iranian shipping and ports. Iran has prevented vessels from crossing throughout the seven-week-long war, except for ones it authorises.

Iran gunboats fire on tanker in Strait of Hormuz as restrictions return

The duelling blockades in the Strait of Hormuz lurched into uncharted waters on Saturday as the United States pressed ahead with its campaign to choke off Iranian ports and Iran reversed an initial move to reopen the waterway, firing on a ship attempting to pass. Confusion over the critical chokepoint threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy and push the two countries toward renewed conflict, even as mediators expressed confidence a new deal was within reach. Iran's joint military command said on Saturday that "control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control of the armed forces." It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. Two gunboats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said on Saturday. It

Iran rejects Trump claim, says it will not hand over enriched uranium to US

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh dismissed claims from US President Donald Trump over the uranium and sounded a note of caution with regard to future talks between the two countries. Speaking to the Associated Press in the Turkish city of Antalya, Khatibzadeh said the Iranians were not ready for a new round of face-to-face talks with the US because the Americans "have not abandoned their maximalist position." On Friday, Trump said the US will go into Iran and "get all the nuclear dust," referring to the 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium believed to be buried under nuclear sites badly damaged by US military strikes last year.

Iran reimposes restrictions on Hormuz, accuses US of violating deal

Iran swiftly reversed course on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions on the critical waterway on Saturday after the US said the move would not end its blockade. The country's joint military command said on Saturday that it "control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control of the armed forces." It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. The announcement came the morning after US President Donald Trump said the American blockade "will remain in full force" until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.

Iran partially reopens airspace after 7 week shutdown amid ceasefire

Iran on Saturday announced a partial reopening of its airspace after a seven-week hiatus because of the war, state media reported. The Civil Aviation Organisation said air routes over eastern Iran were reopened at 7 am (0330 GMT), according to the state-owned IRAN newspaper. It said flights at the country's airports would gradually resume, but did not give a timeframe. Iran's airspace had been closed since the US and Israel began striking Iran on Feb. 28. The partial reopening has come more than a week into a ceasefire between Iran and the US.

Greek, Indian tankers make U-turn near Hormuz over reopening uncertainty

Greek and Indian tankers had all made their journeys northeast toward Hormuz from waters off Dubai, filled with crude, before they began turning around on Saturday morning

Won't impose 'traditional fees' on passage of ships through Hormuz: Iran

Spokesman for Iran's National Security Committee, Ebrahim Rezaei stated that vessels would only be allowed to pass through Hormuz in coordination with Iranian authorities

Assassination and statecraft: US objectives unmet, Iran grows tougher

American objectives are unmet. They neither have the muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime hasn't just survived, it's now led by more radical individuals

US extends waiver allowing India, others to buy Russian oil till May 16

The waiver comes despite earlier US reluctance, as war-linked supply disruptions and Strait of Hormuz curbs push oil prices higher and test Western efforts to restrict Russia's revenues

Trump telegraphs end to West Asia conflict as focus shifts to economy

With the elections nearing, domestic political pressure could be weighing on the president to end the hostilities

Air Canada to suspend flights to JFK for 5 months as jet fuel costs soar

Air Canada will suspend service to New York's JFK International airport over the summer as the war in Iran creates jet fuel shortages that have sent prices soaring. Canada's flag carrier said Friday that service from Toronto and Montreal to JFK will cease June 1 and resume Oct 25. Service to the New York metropolitan area's two other airports - LaGuardia and Newark - will continue. Air Canada offers 34 flights a day to those two airports from six Canadian cities. Air Canada says it will reach out to customers who are impacted by the suspension with alternate travel options. "As jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict and some lower profitability routes and flights are no longer economic, and we are making schedule adjustments accordingly," a spokesman for the Montreal-based carrier said Friday. The average price for a gallon of jet fuel reached $4.32 on Thursday, up from $2.50 the day before the war in Iran broke out, according to Argus Media. Oil prices

Iran rejects Trump's claim of deal to transfer enriched uranium to US

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran would not allow such a move under any circumstances