Page 4 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Iran expands restrictions on distribution of news by int'l media outlets

Iran has expanded restrictions on distribution of news content from the country, directing international news outlets to restrict use of their content by Israeli media. A directive issued Tuesday to a group of international news outlets based in Tehran specified mandatory language to be included on "all submitted content, including photos, videos, reports, and other media productions". The instructions, which were sent to a number of news organisations including The Associated Press, came from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which oversees media activity. "Responsibility for failing to comply with this directive rests with the submitting media outlet," the instructions, translated from Farsi, noted. The new restrictions come three months after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran that grew into a continuing, occasionally flaring war in the region. President Donald Trump insisted a peace deal is close on the 88th day of the war, even as Iran on Tuesda

Iran 'negotiating on fumes', says Trump, shrugs off midterms' impact on war

President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that Iran is "negotiating on fumes" and insisted that November's midterm elections won't make him rush into a deal to end the nearly three-month-old conflict that's 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 is looking for a settlement that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him with a credible argument that Iran's nuclear capability has been diminished enough to declare victory, winding down a conflict that's been politically unpopular for Republicans. But as things stand, Trump also risks finding that closure to his war of choice comes with an unsatisfactory ending. The emerging deal puts off many critical issues to be resolved later and has already exposed the Republican presiden

US rejects Iranian media's report on 'draft deal' to restore Hormuz traffic

The remark came after Iranian state television reported that Tehran had committed to restoring commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within one month

Oil prices fall as markets await clarity on US-Iran talks, Hormuz tensions

Brent crude futures fell $1.42, or 1.43 per cent, to $98.16 a barrel as of 0253 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost $1.66, or 1.77 per cent, to $92.23 a barrel

Trump set to meet Cabinet as he looks to seal deal to end Iran war

President Donald Trump will meet with his Cabinet on Wednesday at a precarious moment for talks aimed at ending the war with Iran, just days after insisting that his administration and Tehran had "largely negotiated" a settlement but with the negotiations still in a state of flux. As he prepares to huddle with his top aides, Trump is projecting confidence that he's closing in on a deal that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him a credible argument that Iran's nuclear capability has been diminished enough to declare victory, winding down a conflict that's been politically unpopular for Republicans. But as things stand, Trump also risks finding closure to his war of choice comes with an unsatisfactory ending. The emerging deal puts off many critical issues to be resolved later and has already exposed the president to fierce criticism - even from some of his own supporters - that Iran's hardline leaders will emerge from the conflict battered but emboldened. It all comes to

China supports 'active mediation' by Pakistan between US, Iran: Wang Yi

China has said it supports the "active mediation" by Pakistan and other countries between the US and Iran in the ongoing West Asia conflict. "Regarding the current situation, the key is the negotiation between the United States and Iran because they are the major parties concerned," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters here Tuesday. "We support the active mediation by Pakistan and other countries. Before we came here, I met with (Field) Marshal (Asim) Munir of Pakistan. We also support efforts made by the United States and Iran, respectively," Wang said. China is the president of the UN Security Council for the month of May and hosted a Council debate on 'Upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and strengthening the UN-centred international system'. Wang presided over the opening session of the debate on Tuesday morning and met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his visit to UN headquarters. "As we have been saying, it takes more than one

Pakistan's role as mediator problematic, says US senator Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham termed "problematic" the role of Pakistan as a mediator in the United States' war with Iran. Graham's remarks came as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said he is not in favour of Islamabad joining the Abraham Accords, which deal with establishing diplomatic, economic and security ties between Israel and Arab nations. Asif also talked about his country's long-standing position to not accept Israel until the Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital is established. "It has been apparent to me for quite a while that Pakistan as a mediator is more than problematic. Their animosity towards Israel is long standing," Graham said in a post on X. He asked Pakistan to respond to US President Donald Trump's call to mediators in the US-Iran war to join the Accords. "As to the defence minister's comments about the Abraham Accords, saying that Pakistan would never join because they don't trust Israel: The clip may be a

'Gone absolutely crazy': Trump again slams media coverage on Iran conflict

Trump's outburst came through a Truth Social post in which he called out the media outlets and democrats over the framing of the narrative around the conflict

Best of BS Opinion: Quad drift, EV push, FTA push, and consumer demand

From the Quad's strategic uncertainty and India's EV transition to trade reform challenges and AI's impact on education, today's BS Opinion examines key global and domestic shifts

Trump asks Arab nations to join Abraham Accords amid fresh strikes on Iran

The US President said any future regional arrangement should include recognition of Israel through the Abraham Accords

'No safe haven': Mojtaba Khamenei warns Gulf will no longer have US bases

The hand of time does not turn back, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer serve as shields for American bases, Mojtaba wrote on X

RBI, credit-rating firms assess West Asia conflict risks on India Inc

The consultations were aimed at evaluating conditions on the ground so authorities would not be caught off guard if the conflict deepens

Kent RO delays IPO amid market volatility from West Asia conflict

Kent received regulatory clearance last June for a public listing comprising an offer for sale by existing shareholders, including Chairman and Managing Director Mahesh Gupta

US strikes southern Iran, including missile launch sites, in 'self-defence'

The US military said it carried out "self-defence" strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were "proceeding nicely". The strikes were done "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces", but the military was "using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire", Capt. Tim Hawkins, US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement on Monday. Further details were not immediately available, including more specifics on the threats from Iran and what this means for negotiations. Earlier, Trump said any agreement to end the Iran war should include a requirement for several additional countries, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreements from Trump's first term aimed at normalising relations with Israel. The proposal came as the emerging Iran deal faced criticism from fellow Republicans who favour a harder line on Iran,

Rubio speaks to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov; discuss Ukraine, Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war and the situation in Iran, the Department of State spokesperson said here. "The parties exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral relations, and the situation in Iran," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement on Monday. He said the request for the call was made by the Russian foreign minister. A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said that Lavrov conveyed Russia's decision to launch strikes on sites in Kyiv linked to the Ukrainian military. Lavrov said the "systematic and consistent strikes" were in "in response to the continuing terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime against the peaceful population and civilian sites on Russian territory". Lavrov also drew Rubio's attention to the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement which recommended that the US, along with other countries with diplomatic missions in Kiev, ensure the ..

Iran's enriched uranium will be turned over to US or destroyed, says Trump

Trump said this decision will be taken in 'conjunction and collaboration' with Iran, signalling Tehran's relaxing its stand as the two countries attempt to reach a peace agreement

Mexico prez sees 'no issue' hosting Iran's World Cup team during tournament

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that she has "no issue" with her country hosting Iran's World Cup team after its training base was moved from the United States to Mexico for the summer soccer competition. The team will still play its matches in the US but its base has been moved to Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, California, according to Iran's soccer federation. The development comes against the backdrop of the war in Iran, which the US and Israel launched on Feb 28. Sheinbaum said at a news conference Monday that she was told by a FIFA representative the US was reluctant to have the Iranian soccer team spend time outside the games on US territory. "The United States doesn't want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States," Sheinbaum told reporters. She said a FIFA representative had then asked, "Can they stay overnight in Mexico?" "And we said, Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that'," she said. Iran's soccer team is slate

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian orders restoration of internet access

Iranian authorities had imposed a near-total internet blackout across the country for more than 87 days

FM Nirmala Sitharaman flags 3 Fs: Fuel, fertiliser, foreign exchange

Says West Asia crisis bringing several uncertainties for businesses, common people

India turns to Latin America, Africa for crude oil amid West Asia crisis

In April and May, Indian refiners raised imports from Venezuela, Brazil, Angola and Nigeria to make up the shortfall, as well as continuing to buy Russian oil