Page 26 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

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

Negotiations not weakness, country reclaimed its sovereignty: Lebanese prez

President Joseph Aoun on Friday struck a defiant tone in his first address since a US-brokered ceasefire took hold, saying he wants Lebanon to chart its own course after weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah. The president said he wants to see Lebanon "flourishing, not committing suicide". He condemned Hezbollah's rocket fire into northern Israel that triggered the latest round of fighting, and criticised Iran's role in arming and backing the group. He framed both as violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and again vowed to disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah. In a pointed response to Hezbollah's criticism of Lebanon's direct talks with Israel and claims that Beirut lacks leverage, Aoun said the country will make its own decisions and stand by demands shared across Lebanese society, not ones dictated by Iran or its allies. "There will be no concessions to any principle, no infringement of the sovereignty of this country," he said. Aoun also reiterated calls for Israel t

India joins the France, UK-led summit on securing Strait of Hormuz shipping

India Friday joined a summit of dozens of countries that was hosted by France and the UK to deliberate securing the Strait of Hormuz for unimpeded shipping. New Delhi attended the summit as an observer. It is learnt that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India. Misri had participated in a similar meeting through virtual mode that was organised by the UK on April 2. Hours before the summit began, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has been invited to participate in it. The summit was held at the Elysee Palace in Paris and chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Iran's foreign minister says the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire It took place shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire. "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, t

Oil settles down 9% as Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open; Brent at $90.38

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled down $10.48, ‌or 11.45 per cent, at $83.85 a barrel, after touching a low of $80.56

Traffic, trepidation in Persian Gulf may delay gasoline price declines

After US President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister said the Strait of Hormuz was fully open to commercial vessels after almost seven weeks of war, oil prices plunged 10 per cent and the stock market rallied Friday. Motorists, hoping for relief at the pump, wondered how quickly gasoline prices might fall once oil tankers stuck in the Persian Gulf were moving again. A gallon of regular gasoline cost USD 4.08 on average in the US Friday, which was 37 per cent more than before US and Israel attacked Iran but down a few cents from a week ago. But when gas prices spike, they do not typically drop as quickly as the cost of crude. Even if Iran keeps the waterway open in the face of a US blockade of its vessels, it still could take months for fuel prices to return to levels resembling those enjoyed before the war began February 28, energy experts said. The slow speed at which oil tankers travel from ports to refineries, lingering security concerns, traffic in the strait and damage t

US sanctions Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders; warns over Hormuz security

The US imposed sanctions on seven senior commanders of Iraqi militias that are supported by Iran, including groups like Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, for allegedly planning and carrying out attacks on US personnel and coalition forces in the region. Officials have said the move is part of a broader effort to counter Iran's influence in Iraq and deter further violence against US interests. The action also signifies a US strategy of using economic pressure, not just military force, to target Iran's network of allies, while warning global banks and firms to stop doing business with anyone tied to these groups. "We will not allow Iraq's terrorist militias, backed by Iran, to threaten American lives or interests," Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said Friday. "Those who enable these militias' violence will be held accountable." US Central Command says ships moving through Strait of Hormuz ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "We'll s

Thousands join pro-Iran rally in Tehran, chant anti-US, anti-Israel slogans

People took part in an anti-US and anti-Israel rally at Enghelab Square amid a ceasefire between the US and Iran, in Tehran

Next round of US-Iran talks likely to be held in Pakistan on April 20

Earlier, Islamabad Peace Talks, held on April 11-12, marked a historic but inconclusive diplomatic attempt to end the 39-day Gulf War between the United States and Iran

'We never needed them': Trump criticises Nato after Hormuz developments

His remarks come amid renewed debate over Nato's role in regional security and energy route stability, particularly as tensions in the Gulf have fluctuated in recent weeks

Refiners likely used yuan through ICICI Bank for payment of Iranian oil

Last month, Washington unveiled ​30-day waivers on US sanctions for the purchase of Russian and Iranian oil at sea in ‌an attempt to ease prices that were driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran

West Asia energy output may take two years to recover: IEA on war impact

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said that recovery timelines would vary across the region depending on national production capacities and infrastructure resilience

Pakistan says it will keep backing US-Iran talks, urges ceasefire to hold

Pakistan on Sunday said it will continue to facilitate talks between the US and Iran, while urging both sides to uphold the ceasefire. In a brief statement to the media after marathon negotiations between the US and Iran ended without a breakthrough, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan has helped mediate several rounds of "intense and constructive" discussions over the past 24 hours. "I, along with the Defence Forces Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Sim Munir, helped mediate several rounds of intense and constructive negotiations between the two sides that continued through the last 24 hours and ended this morning," he said. Expressing hope for progress, Dar said both sides should maintain a positive spirit to achieve durable peace and regional stability. "It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire," he said. Dar said Pakistan would continue to play its role in facilitating engagement and dialogue between Iran

Pakistan prepares to host second round of US-Iran talks next week

Pakistan has started preparing to host the second round of high-stakes talks between the US and Iran during the next week for a landmark peace deal to end the war in West Asia that has crippled global energy supplies, officials said on Friday. The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan over the weekend aimed at ending their conflict, but the talks ended early Sunday without any agreement. Official sources in Pakistan on Friday said that a feverish diplomatic activity followed to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table. It was met with success as both continue to observe the temporary two-week ceasefire, allowing Pakistan to relaunch its mediatory push. After working behind the scenes, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a tri-nation tour on Wednesday, while Field Marshal Asim Munir landed in Tehran on the same day. The Prime Minister, after discussion with the Saudi and Qatari leaders, reached Turkiye on Thursday night as the Field Marshal spent more than 2

Iran war fuels nuclear push across Asia, Africa amid energy shock

The Iran war's global energy shock is causing some nations in Africa and Asia to boost nuclear power generation and spurring atomic energy plans in non-nuclear countries on both continents. Asia, where most of the Middle Eastern oil and natural gas was headed, was hit first and hardest by disruptions to shipping routes carrying those fuels - swiftly followed by Africa. The US and Europe are also feeling the pinch as the conflict drives up energy costs. African and Asian nations with nuclear plants are increasing their output as they scramble for short-term energy supplies, while non-nuclear countries are accelerating long-term nuclear plans to safeguard against future fossil fuel shocks. Nuclear power isn't a quick fix for the current energy crisis. Developing atomic energy can take decades, especially for nuclear newcomers. But long-term commitments to nuclear power made now will likely lock it in to countries' future energy mixes, said Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign

Trump yielded to Iran pressure, forced Netanyahu: Lebanese MP on ceasefire

Hassan, a member of the Loyalty to the Resistance, affiliated with Hezbollah, made these remarks while speaking in the Lebanese Parliament, according to Iranian state media Press TV

UK PM Starmer, French Prez Macron to host global meet on reopening Hormuz

The Paris meeting is part of attempts by sidelined nations to ease the impact of a conflict they didn't start and haven't joined, but that has sent the global economy reeling

West Asia war: Trump may extend ceasefire with Iran amid Hormuz blockade

Donald Trump says Iran ceasefire may be extended as talks continue; he signals progress in negotiations and said he could visit Islamabad if a peace deal is signed

Trump claims Iran ready to hand over enriched uranium, says deal 'close'

Trump asserted that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon and has "agreed to that very powerfully". He added that Tehran had also agreed to hand over enriched uranium