Page 4 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

US-Iran deal promises end to war but how it will work still unclear

US President Donald Trump said on Monday a preliminary agreement to end the conflict had been signed by the US and Iran, although details have yet to be made public

End of war includes end of Israel's occupation of Lebanon: Iran foreign min

Iran's top diplomat said Tuesday that the deal ending the war with the United States would also require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, raising questions about the still-unpublished agreement and whether disagreement over its terms could prolong conflict. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told diplomats from other countries that Israel's continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran, in comments aired on Iranian state television. "The end of the war in Lebanon is an inseparable part of the complete end of the war," Araghchi said. "Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end." Araghchi said further Israeli attacks on Lebanon "will be considered by us a violation of the Memorandum of Understanding." The United States has not said whether Lebanon was part of the final agreement. But Araghchi's description clashes with

Higher prices for gas, groceries and flights to outlast Iran war: Experts

A tentative deal to end the Iran war makes it reasonable to ask how soon prices will drop for gasoline, groceries, airline tickets and other items that got more expensive during the conflict. Not so fast, experts say. Even after oil starts flowing again from the Middle East, it could take a while for consumers to see a difference at local fuel pumps, supermarkets and other places they shop, according to economists and industry analysts. Fighting over the Strait of Hormuz disrupted not only supplies of crude and refined fuel but also the supply chains for fertiliser, food and even footwear. Businesses expect higher costs to linger, which means their customers might need to prepare for that too. "It is not clear, despite three months of war, that anything has been achieved that makes the American consumer better off," Brett House, an economist who teaches at Columbia Business School, said. "In fact, by almost any measure, not just the American consumer, but the world, is worse off as

Iran war is 'wake-up call' for Southeast Asia's energy sector, says report

The war in Iran has exposed major risks for Southeast Asia that could cost the region many billions of dollars if it does not diversify sources of energy more quickly, according to an International Energy Agency report released Tuesday. An overreliance on oil and gas transported through the Strait of Hormuz left the region particularly vulnerable to shocks from the Iran war, a "stark wake-up call" for its energy security, the report says. It notes that rising sales of electric vehicles, a renewed interest in nuclear power and a boom in rooftop solar and other renewable energy installations show the war is spurring change. But more sweeping reforms are needed. Otherwise, Southeast Asia's energy import bill could rise to $245 billion by 2035, tripling from $80 billion in 2024, the report warns. "Diversification of energy sources and supply routes is now a central priority," said Fatih Birol, the IEA executive director. Iran war exposes Southeast Asia's energy ...

Trump's Iran deal faces scepticism, scrutiny as US lawmakers seek answers

Republicans on Capitol Hill said Monday they need more information about the agreement between the United States and Iran announced by President Donald Trump, and some are expressing scepticism as they ask the White House for details. The agreement announced Sunday to end the war in Iran, set for a ceremonial signing Friday in Geneva, is centered around reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the United States' naval blockade in the region, along with financial incentives for Iran if it meets certain benchmarks. But Senate Republicans and Democrats who returned to Washington on Monday said there were still many unanswered questions about the deal and they need thorough briefings before it is finalised. "I just don't know enough about it," Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters in the Capitol. "Even the people who follow this stuff closely up here don't know that much about it." Congressional leaders and intelligence committees generally receive higher-level intelligenc

Israel will keep forces in Lebanon, despite US-Iran deal: Netanyahu

'The struggle has not ended,' a defiant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israelis

Lebanon's sovereignty, security integral to ending war, says Iran

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Baghaei, on Monday (local time) said that Iran's position on Lebanon has remained consistent throughout the negotiations

Hormuz 'already partially open', to be fully reopened on June 19: Trump

Trump said that ships, including several carrying oil, had started moving out of the Strait of Hormuz following his announcement of the completion of the Iran-US peace deal

Peace deal restores pre-war status quo, US objectives unfulfilled: Expert

The peace deal between the US and Iran merely marks a return to the pre-war status quo and negotiations over the next 60 days will determine whether Washington is able to secure its objectives with which it attacked Tehran, according to an expert. Will Todman, Senior Fellow in the Middle East Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said the preliminary agreement primarily provides for a cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, returning conditions to where they stood before US and Israeli strikes on Iran. "No, at this point, the United States has not achieved any of the objectives that President Donald Trump set out when he launched the war," Todman told PTI. The US and Iran reached an agreement on Sunday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a move expected to facilitate the resumption of oil and natural gas shipments through one of the world's most important energy transit routes. Details of the agreement have not been made ...

Iran will never have nuclear weapons, not today and not tomorrow: Netanyahu

Amid growing resentment in Israel over the emerging deal between the United States and Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening defended his actions, emphasising that "Iran will not have nuclear weapons, with or without an agreement". "Iran will never have nuclear weapons, not today and not tomorrow," Netanyahu asserted during a brief press conference in Hebrew. "People ask me what we have achieved? And I answer them - What we have achieved? We removed the immediate threat of annihilation from ourselves. Most importantly, we saved the State of Israel from the threat of total destruction", the Israeli Premier said following a day of criticism from the opposition as well as coalition partners. Assailing Netanyahu's leadership, former Prime Minister and prominent challenger for Prime Ministership Naftali Bennett earlier told the reporters that the term of this Netanyahu government began with a civil war, continued with the October 7 massacre, and is now ending with a .

Vance to lead US delegation to ink Iran peace deal in Switzerland: Trump

Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation for the in-person signing of the peace deal with Iran in Switzerland on Friday, President Donald Trump said. Both Trump and Vance have electronically signed the framework agreement with Iran's lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, according to a senior US official quoted by The New York Times. In a media interaction in France on Monday, Trump said Vance will attend the signing ceremony. "I may be involved, I may not," the president said in response to a question on his presence at the signing ceremony. The text of the Memorandum of Understanding will be released "pretty soon... sometime after Friday", Trump said. In media interviews here, Vance said the peace agreement was signed digitally on Sunday, and its full text was likely to be made public later this week. "We already signed the deal digitally yesterday (Sunday)," Vance said on the Good Morning America programme on ABC News. The deal was negotiated through mediators

OMCs to infra: Analysts pick sectors likely to gain from US-Iran peace deal

Among sectors, Bernstein expects oil marketing companies (OMCs) will likely stand to benefit from reduced crude oil prices that dropped around 4 per cent on Monday to $83 a barrel (bbl)

US-Iran truce lifts markets; Sensex gains 736 points as oil prices fall

Indian equities advanced along with global markets after the US and Iran agreed on a framework to end the conflict, raising hopes of lower energy prices

US, Iran reach deal to end war; signing set for June 19 in Switzerland

The United States and Iran have reached an agreement to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz, offering relief to the global economy more than three months since fighting began. Full details of the deal were not immediately available. The signing will be Friday in Switzerland. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed a deal had been reached and said he had authorised an end to the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. "Congratulations to all!" he wrote on social media, without providing details. He added, "Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" The U.S. previously said it would ease its blockade of Iranian ports as the strait reopens, and would agree to relax sanctions to allow Iran to sell more of its oil and strengthen its battered economy. Iranian state TV showed a banner asserting: "US was forced to sign an agreement to end the war." But Iran's government had yet to comment. Iranian state media reported key mediator Pakistan's ...

G7 leaders gather in France, likely to discuss Iran, Ukraine at summit

World leaders began gathering in a French spa town Monday for a summit of the Group of Seven club of powerful democracies with a new impetus following President Donald Trump's announcement of an agreement that he says will bring an end to the US war against Iran. Trump arrives in Evian-les-Bains on Monday afternoon for talks with G7 leaders, including some who have been sharply critical of his managing of the roughly 15-week conflict that has led to a surge in global energy prices. Trump has had sharp disagreement with host French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over failing to consult them before the decision to go to war. Trump has threatened reprisals, including drawing down US troops in all four countries, all members of the NATO military alliance, for their lack of support. The G7 includes France, the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. Gue

PM Modi welcomes West Asia deal, hopes 'implementation will bring peace'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the understanding reached between the United States and Iran on ending the conflict in West Asia, and hoped the implementation of the pact will help restore peace in the region and ensure the freedom of navigation. President Donald Trump has announced that the US and Iran have finalised a deal to end their 107-day war, which triggered a global energy crisis. The peace agreement is scheduled to be signed on June 19 in Switzerland, according to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. "I welcome the understanding reached between the United States and Iran on ending the conflict in West Asia, which has caused serious economic disruption across the world and led to loss of life in many countries. India hopes that the implementation of this understanding will help restore peace and stability in the region and ensure the freedom of navigation and commerce," Modi said in a post on X. The prime minister said India looks forward to deliberations

How West Asia crisis unfolded: From Khamenei's death to possible peace deal

The 100-day Iran-Israel conflict drew in the US, threatened global energy supplies and triggered the most direct Iran-Israel confrontation in decades

West Asia war nears end: Where do the US, Iran, Israel stand today?

The new US-Iran peace deal may have halted hostilities, but questions over Iran's nuclear programme, Israel's regional strategy and enforcement of the agreement remain

Oil retreat hands RBI an assist in boosting rupee's near-term outlook

Economists have upgraded their outlook for India's balance of payments following the RBI's measures, with most now expecting a marginal surplus this fiscal year

Won't withdraw from land seized in Lebanon, Gaza: Israeli defence min

Israel's defence minister said Monday that Israel won't withdraw from land seized in Lebanon as the interim deal between Iran and the United States is pending. Israel Katz's remarks were the first official Israeli comments after the announcement of the interim deal. The two sides plan to meet Friday in Geneva to sign it, Pakistan has said. Katz said Israel plans to stay "indefinitely" in lands it holds in Lebanon, as well as Syria and the Gaza Strip. Iran has tied the interim deal over the war to halting Israel's attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Katz also threatened that if Iran attacks Israel over Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Israel will strike Iran with "great force." Over the past two and a half years, Israel has taken control of areas in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria amounting to 1,000 square kilometres of territory - an area that is slightly smaller than New York City.