Page 42 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Iranian Speaker warns of 'decisive' response amid US military build-up

He emphasised that the people of Iran, led by the Supreme Leader, will not only defend their rights but also make the enemy regret their actions

West Asia war updates: Iran moves to charge Hormuz transit; Brent at $111

Iran has approved a plan to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia war, raising concerns over global oil supply as Brent crude trades near $111 a barrel

Oil-thirsty Asian nations seek Russian crude as Iran war strains supplies

Asian nations are increasingly competing for Russian crude oil as an energy crisis mounts amid the month-old war by the US and Israel against Iran, which has choked off roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply. Much of the oil from the mostly shut Strait of Hormuz was headed for Asia, hit hardest by recent energy shocks. Over the weekend, Iran-backed Houthi rebels entered the conflict, further threatening shipping. To shore up global crude oil supplies, the US has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil shipments already at sea - first for India, then for the rest of the world. Demand is rising in Asia while Russia is raking in billions of dollars. But experts say there is a limit to how much Moscow can boost its exports of crude oil, which is unrefined petroleum needed to make fuels like gasoline and diesel, and it is already exporting at a level close to its previous peak. In addition, Russia's 4-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine and recent drone attacks on its energy .

Gold set for worst month in over 17 years as US rate-cut hopes fade

Bullion has fallen more than 13% so far this month, putting it on track for its steepest decline since October 2008, weighed down by strong dollar and fading ​expectations of a US rate cut this year

Pentagon rejects claim of Hegseth's alleged investment, seeks retraction

According to reports, a broker representing US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth sought to invest in a major US defence-focused fund in the weeks leading up to the US-Israeli military action against Iran

India condemns attack that killed two UNIFIL peacekeepers in south Lebanon

According to a statement issued by UNIFIL, the incident occurred near Bani Hayyan in Southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of two peacekeepers, while a third one sustained severe injuries

Ops in Iran beyond halfway point, focus now on uranium stockpile: Netanyahu

Netanyahu expressed confidence in the progress of the joint military campaign, emphasising that significant steps have been taken to dismantle Iran's military and nuclear capabilities

India thanks Azerbaijan for aiding evacuation of nationals from Iran

Embassy also noted that the Indian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar, met Indian nationals transiting via the country from Iran and enquired about their well-being

White House says US-Iran talks 'going well' despite Tehran denial

The White House maintained that backchannel discussions remain active

Kuwaiti oil tanker ablaze in Dubai Port after Iranian attack, no casualties

Authorities in Dubai confirmed they were responding to a drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters and that maritime firefighting teams were working to bring the fire under control

Iran alleges US strike hit Mahan Air plane bound for aid mission to India

A US airstrike at Iran's Mashhad airport on Monday damaged a Mahan Air aircraft, potentially disrupting a mission to India to collect humanitarian aid, Iranian officials claimed. The plane was reportedly scheduled to fly to New Delhi this week to pick up essential medical supplies and aid for Iranian people, they said. US officials have not yet corroborated the claim. The Iranian officials said the aircraft was damaged following the US attack on Mashhad airport. According to reports, the plane was expected to arrive in New Delhi on April 1. India sent the first consignment of medical supplies to Iran through the Iranian Red Crescent Society on March 18. The Iranian embassy in New Delhi thanked the people of India for the aid. Mahan Air is a privately-owned Iranian airline that operates flights in several countries in West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia.

US going to achieve objective in weeks, Iran at its weakest point: Rubio

US Secretary of State said Prez Trump has several options on the table to prevent Iran's hegemony over the strait

Gulf allies urge Trump to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeated

Gulf allies of the United States, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are urging President Donald Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran, arguing that Tehran hasn't been weakened enough by the monthlong US-led bombing campaign, according to US, Gulf and Israeli officials. After private grumbling at the start of the war that they were not given adequate advance notice of the US-Israeli attack and complaining the US had ignored their warnings that the war would have devastating consequences for the entire region, some of the regional allies are making the case to the White House that the moment offers a historic opportunity to cripple Tehran's clerical rule once and for all. Officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or there's a dramatic shift in Iranian behaviour, according to the

Trump warns of strikes on Iran desalination plants, here's what it means

US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to target Iran's energy infrastructure, including the country's desalination plants. Such a move, and Iran's possible targeting of the plants of its Gulf Arab neighbours, could have devastating impacts across the water-starved Middle East. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said if a deal to end the war isn't reached "shortly" and the Strait of Hormuz, where much oil passes via tankers, is not immediately reopened, "we will conclude our lovely stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched.'" The biggest danger, analysts warn, may not be what Trump could do to Iran, but how Tehran could retaliate. Iran relies on desalination for a small share of its water supply while Gulf Arab states depend on it for the vast majority. Hundreds of desalination plants sit along the Persian Gulf

Trump claims talks with Iran's parliamentary speaker; Tehran denies

US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened widespread destruction of Iran's energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached "shortly." Trump said the US is negotiating with Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, in an interview with the New York Post published Monday. The former Revolutionary Guard commander was previously floated as Washington's negotiating partner, but has denied Iran is talking to the US and said Pakistan-facilitated discussions were merely a cover for American troop deployments. Meanwhile, Israel has invaded southern Lebanon to push out Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, who have fired rockets and drones across the border, in a campaign that Israeli officials suggest could become a prolonged occupation. Three UN peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon in less than 24 hours, but it's unclear who was responsible. US stocks edged higher in shaky trading Mond

US going to 'retake' control of Hormuz Strait, says Scott Bessent

His remarks come against a backdrop of heightened global concern over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly one-fifth of world oil flows

Iran's Parliament panel clears plan to impose tolls on Strait of Hormuz

Plan explicitly bans passage for US and Israeli vessels, reinforces sovereign role of Iran and its armed forces, and outlines cooperation with Oman in establishing the legal framework for the Strait

Best of BS Opinion: All eyes on RBI's policy meeting amid Iran conflict

From Sebi's governance gaps and inflation targeting to investor protection concerns, AI-led consumer insights, and evolving global discourse, today's BS Opinion offers sharp perspectives

India's fuel exports drop amid European Union sanctions, West Asia war

Latest sanctions by EU banning imports of fuels made from Russian crude oil from January has hurt India's sales, say industry sources

Inflation dynamics: Ongoing Iran conflict will complicate policy choices

Research has shown that both the inflation rate and volatility moderated after the adoption of the flexible inflation-targeting framework