Page 27 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

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

Panama Canal traffic surge spurs $4 million line-jumping payment

The queue at the 50-mile canal, the longest since the 2023-24 drought, has grown as the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz chokes oil, gas, fertiliser and chemical shipments

White House shrugs off shaky economy as Iran war exceeds Trump's timeline

Stocks may be soaring again, but the war in Iran has started to pinch the finances of many Americans

Lebanese army accuses Israel of violating ceasefire, urges caution in south

In a statement posted on X, the Lebanese army said several violations had been recorded since the ceasefire came into effect, warning civilians to remain cautious

US heading towards victory, says Trump amid claims Iran left with 'no Navy'

The US President suggested progress in ongoing strategic actions and claimed significant degradation of Iranian capabilities

10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire takes effect amid Hezbollah opposition

A 10-day ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump and agreed on by Lebanon and Israel started at midnight Thursday local time. The two neighbouring countries held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington after more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed, Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group. The truce, if it holds, could boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war that killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil. Hezbollah started firing on Israel right after the start of the Iran war. It kept up attacks focused on northern Israel communities through Thursday night, with at least eight people injured including two seriously, according to Israel's emergency services. Air raid sirens were sounding in a few northern Israeli communities just minutes before the ceasefire was going into effect. Israel's military also said la

US expands maritime crackdown on Iran-linked ships amid blockade pressure

The US military has widened its efforts beyond the blockade of Iran's ports to allow its forces around the world to stop any ship tied to Tehran or those suspected of carrying supplies that could help its government, from weapons to oil, metals and electronics. Gen Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, specifically pointed to operations in the Pacific, saying the US would be targeting vessels that left before the blockade began earlier this week outside the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for energy and other shipments. US forces in other areas of responsibility "will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran," he told reporters at the Pentagon. The military also detailed an expansive lists of goods that it considers contraband, declaring that it will board, search and seize them from merchant vessels "regardless of location." A notice published Thursday says any "goods that are destined for an enemy and

'Agreed to ceasefire to advance peace efforts with Lebanon': Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he has agreed to a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon. In a video statement, Netanyahu said he was taking the step in an attempt "to advance" peace efforts with Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon opened negotiations this week in Washington aimed at forging a peace agreement. The Hezbollah militant group, which has been fighting Israel for six weeks, has said it opposes the dialogue. "We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon," Netanyahu said. Israel has staged a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, where its forces have been engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area. Hezbollah added that "Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold," a stance that could complicate the ceasefire. Netanyahu said Israeli troops will stay in an expanded security zone in southern Lebanon "much stronger,

'Might go to Pakistan to sign deal if agreement reached with Iran': Trump

US President Donald Trump on Thursday once again claimed that progress is being made in talks with Iran and suggested he could be involved in the signing of a peace agreement, if one is reached. "If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go," said Trump, who heaped praise on Pakistani Prime Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistani Army Chief Gen Asim Munir for their role as mediators in the US-Iran talks. "The field marshal has been great. The prime minister has been really great in Pakistan, so I might go. They want me," he said.

West Asia crisis: Trump announces 10-day ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had held "excellent conversations" with Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that both leaders had agreed to halt hostilities

Chinese, Russian intelligence shaping Iran war? Here's what to know

Iran reportedly used a Chinese-built reconnaissance satellite to enhance targeting against US military bases

US says its forces ready to restart combat if Iran doesn't agree a deal

As part of a campaign to pressure Tehran to sign an agreement, US military forces are mounting a blockade on all ships seeking to enter or leave Iran

Iran proposes letting ships exit safely through Oman side of Hormuz: Report

The US-Israeli war with Iran has resulted in the largest-ever disruption of global oil and gas supplies due to Iran's interruption of traffic through the strait

Iran halts petrochemical exports to secure domestic supply amid disruptions

The export ban aims to stabilise domestic markets and ensure supply to local industries following damage caused by recent attacks

China asks Iran to ensure freedom of navigation through Strait of Hormuz

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a first such call issued by Beijing ever since Tehran started to put a squeeze on the critical waterway in the midst of its war with the US. Wang has sought guarantees of freedom and safety of international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday. Wang's call coincided with a Pakistan mediation delegation headed by Field Marshal Asim Munir reaching Tehran on Wednesday to discuss new peace proposals for a second round of talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad. China, a close ally of Iran and the largest importer of Iranian oil, was also concerned over the energy crisis accentuated by the US blockade of the Strait, preventing ships from carrying oil and gas from Iran's ports. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital 55-km-wide maritime choke point between Iran and Oman, managing roughly 20 per cent of global o

Bid to ease tensions: Trump announces Israel-Lebanon talks, first in 34 yrs

The announcement signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough in a region marked by an increase in hostility and intermittent conflict between Israel and Lebanon

Iran-linked tankers transit Strait of Hormuz via new route amid US blockade

Tankers G Summer and Hong Lu took an unusual route via Fujairah, the Gulf of Oman and along Iran's coast before entering the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting a rare, circuitous navigation path this week

Iran won't leave Hormuz until rights fully secured: Khamenei's advisor

Based on past negotiations, agreements must be drafted more carefully, with a stronger focus on economic issues, military adviser of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaei, said