Page 3 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Rubio thanks Pakistan for West Asia peace efforts after meeting counterpart

Rubio said both leaders 'agreed upon the importance of working together to further strengthen a meaningful partnership for better security'

Trump weighs Iran deal after White House meeting, decision pending

US President Donald Trump held a White House Situation Room meeting with his advisers on Friday but has not yet made a decision on whether to move forward with a deal to extend the Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the agreement has not been finalised. Ahead of the meeting, Trump said he was looking to make a "final determination". A senior administration official later said the roughly two-hour meeting with national security aides had concluded without a decision. The official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Trump would only sign a deal that "satisfies his redlines" and curbs Iran's nuclear ambitions. Trump confirmed the high-level talks the day after The Associated Press and other news outlets reported that US and Iranian negotiators had come to terms on a tentative agreement. The deal would extend the fragile ceasefire by 60 days as new talks are held on Iran's disputed nuclear programme. Trump wrote o

Lingering geopolitical tensions may hit loan portfolios: RBI report

RBI warned that the West Asia conflict, rising energy prices and monsoon risks could weigh on India's growth and inflation outlook in the short term

West Asia tensions lead to 3.4% fall in air passenger demand in April: IATA

In the data released by the Association, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), was down 3.4 per cent compared to April 2025

Oil prices fall over 1% on reports of potential US-Iran ceasefire deal

Prices have been volatile in recent sessions, swinging by as much as $6 for both benchmarks on conflicting signals over a possible end to the three-month US-Israeli war on Iran

US, Iran reach tentative deal to extend ceasefire, launch nuclear talks

US and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and launch talks on Iran's nuclear program, according to a US official familiar with the matter. The official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said President Donald Trump still needs to sign off on the emerging memorandum of understanding. The tentative agreement worked out by the two sides comes at a moment when the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran appeared to be wavering. The US military earlier on Thursday accused Iran of violating the ceasefire after Kuwait reported coming under attack following an American strike against the Islamic Republic. It was the latest flare-up of fighting to threaten ongoing negotiations to end the war. Details of the tentative agreement were first reported by the news outlet Axios.

Air India extends Israel flights suspension till July end amid Iran war

Amid continued geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, Air India on Thursday said it is extending its suspension of operations on the Tel Aviv-Delhi route till July end. Earlier this month, it had announced suspension till June end but with no clarity on the prevailing security situation in the region, the leading Indian carrier has decided to further extend its suspension of operations on the route by another month. A senior executive heading the airlines' Israel operations told PTI that the "schedule amendment (has been) notified yesterday evening." The flights have been "further suspended till 31 July due to the geopolitical situation," he said. In the wake of the West Asia conflict, which started in late February, airlines have been facing multiple headwinds, including costlier fuel and airspace curbs, which pushed up their operational costs. Earlier in April, the Indian carrier announced to put on hold its operations till the end of May, which now is further extended. Despi

Kuwait reports missile, drone attack as Iran ceasefire strain escalates

Kuwait said it faced a missile and drone attack Thursday as the shaky ceasefire in the Iran war was again challenged. Kuwait's military made the announcement, without providing further details on what had been targeted. Kuwait repeatedly came under fire from Iran and Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq during the war. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack comes after the US said it carried out strikes again targeting Iran during the ceasefire. Negotiations are ongoing over extending the ceasefire and trying to find a way to formally end the war that has shaken the Middle East.

US gold sinks to two-month low as US-Iran tensions stoke inflation fears

Spot gold was down 1.1 per cent to $4,406.81 per ‌ounce, as of 0236 GMT, falling to its lowest level since March 27

Trump's Iran bind deepens as Hormuz crisis fuels war pressure at home

Adding to the challenge are his own comments over the years, lambasting his predecessors for signing or considering deals similar to the one that has the best chance of success

'No nation will control Hormuz': Trump as he threatens to blow up Oman

Iran's Tasnim news agency cited a military source as saying that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy fired toward a US oil tanker that was trying to transit the strait, forcing it to turn back

US imposes sanctions on Iranian agency trying to control shipping in Hormuz

The Trump administration on Wednesday placed additional sanctions on Iran as part of a sprawling economic pressure campaign during the war, this time targeting the country's newly-created agency that is trying to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The move, first reported by The Associated Press, is the latest US effort to use economic leverage on top of military action to push Iran's leadership into an agreement to end the war and open the waterway where a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas normally passes. President Donald Trump has said a deal is imminent, but talks are ongoing. It comes as rising energy prices and other costs stemming from Iran's effective closure of the strait have heaped political pressure on Trump and other Republicans ahead of the midterm congressional elections. "The Iranian military's latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in

Oil prices jump 2% after fresh US strikes on Iranian military site

Brent crude futures rose $1.90, or 2.02 per cent, to $96.19 a barrel by 0015 GMT, while the more active August contract gained $1.64 or 1.78 per cent, to $93.89

Asian shares turn cautious as fresh US strike on Iran lifts oil prices

It also took a little steam out of the tech-driven bull run in stock markets, with Japan's Nikkei easing 0.2 per cent, while South ‌Korean shares went flat

US launches fresh defensive strikes on Iran after drone threat near Hormuz

The US military on Wednesday conducted its second defensive strike this week against Iran after officials said they observed aggressive activity from the Iranian military. Two US officials told The Associated Press that US military forces shot down four Iranian drones and struck a base that was about to launch a fifth drone after determining they posed a threat to the Strait of Hormuz. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive military operations. President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that Iran is "negotiating on fumes" and insisted that November's midterm elections will not make him rush into a deal to end the nearly three-month-old conflict that has spurred unease across the global economy. Speaking at the start of a Cabinet meeting, Trump expressed confidence that a deal is near. Over the weekend, he even declared that his administration and Tehran had "largely negotiated" a settlement, though the talks are still in flux. The president i

Iran deal may ease oil stress, but won't plug India's capital or AI gaps

While stabilising the currency may help contain the current crisis, India's ability to attract global capital will remain muted