Page 5 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

US-Iran talks due Sunday, but Tehran closes Hormuz over Israeli strikes

Iran's joint military command said on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and US "bad faith" and "its clear breach of its commitments" by failing to end the war. The statement on state television also warned that "if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned." Ships had begun transiting the strait after the interim US-Iran agreement was signed earlier in the week. Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday killed at least 16 people, including two children, hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire agreement. The persistent fighting threatened an interim agreement between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.

US-Iran nuclear talks delayed as Israel-Hezbollah clashes intensify

Iran postponed negotiations that were meant to begin in Switzerland on Friday because of the ongoing fighting

Indian supertanker resumes voyage to Hormuz after mid-journey U-turn

Desh Vibhor, operated by Shipping Corp of India, briefly reversed course before resuming its journey toward the Strait of Hormuz as shipping movements remain under watch amid West Asia tensions

At least five killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon despite ceasefire

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to the ceasefire on Friday following an escalation in hostilities in Lebanon

Trump says he urged Israel to back Hezbollah ceasefire, hails US-Iran MoU

Trump said he had been in contact with Israel earlier in the day and encouraged its leadership to support the ceasefire effort

Oil prices fall as tankers resume transit through Strait of Hormuz

By 0645 GMT, Brent crude futures gained 51 cents, or 0.64 per cent, to $80.36 a barrel, and ‌US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.28, or 1.7 per cent, to $77.88 a barrel

US-Iran talks in Switzerland called off, raising doubts over lasting peace

Switzerland confirmed that planned talks between US and Iranian negotiators would not take place on Friday, while Washington cited logistical challenges

Supertankers with 80 million barrels of oil ready to pass through Hormuz

Data from Vortexa shows most cargoes are destined for Asia, with several tankers already indicating routes toward China and regional transshipment hubs in Southeast Asia

Israeli military strikes southern Lebanon, killing at least 16 people

Israel's military said Friday its forces struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported at least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes. The attacks came as planned talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States over their efforts to reach a permanent end to the Iran war were delayed. Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon and its continued attacks on the Iranian-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah has been a key issue in the talks. Israel maintains it must continue to hold the territory and have a free hand to battle Hezbollah as it has been launching attacks into northern Israel. The talks being postponed trip comes after Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied with Hezbollah, reported that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over ongoing Israel's military campaign in Lebanon.

India's return to West Asian oil set to be slow despite Hormuz reopening

State refiners have already secured sufficient crude for the next two months and are evaluating long-term supply commitments from West Asian producers

Security blunder, American surrender: Critics attack Trump on peace deal

While Trump has hailed the Iran-US MoU as a step towards regional stability, critics have denounced the framework as a premature concession that grants Tehran significant benefits

Trump used 'all kinds of leverage', says Mojtaba Khamenei on US-Iran deal

Khamenei said Iran agreed to the US-Iran deal only after assurances on national rights, while insisting future talks with Washington do not mean accepting American demands

'You can't kill your way to security': JD Vance's blunt warning to Israel

US vice-president publicly rebukes Israel over Iran and Lebanon, arguing that military force alone cannot guarantee security and reminding Jerusalem that Washington remains its strongest ally

Uncertainty remains over Hormuz transit fees as Vance skirts questions

The US-Iran memorandum guarantees free passage for commercial vessels for 60 days, but leaves future administration of the strategic waterway to negotiations involving Iran, Oman and other Gulf states

As Hormuz reopens, Gulf oil fields gear up for a restart visible from space

Energy executives across the Gulf are working to restore oil production and shipping after the US-Iran interim peace deal reopened the world's most critical oil transit route

White House postpones Vance-led negotiations with Iran in Switzerland

The White House says Vice President JD Vance isn't leaving Thursday for Switzerland to lead a new round of talks with Iran about its nuclear programme, citing difficult logistics for negotiations meant to add details to an agreement signed by President Donald Trump a day ago. The White House said in a statement that plans for the technical talks have not been finalised, and the US delegation has been prepared to depart at the first available opportunity.

Iran to invite UN watchdog to inspect nuclear sites under new deal: Witkoff

Iran will invite the UN's nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites and begin work on identifying and uncovering the locations of Tehran's enriched material, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff told US lawmakers in a private briefing. The private briefing on Thursday was described by two people familiar with the conversation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to share the closed-door details. The White House did not directly respond to questions about the invitation. But White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said the agreement requires Iran to "commit to renounce their nuclear ambitions in writing". The International Atomic Energy Agency did not respond to a request for comment. Witkoff told congressional leadership and members of national security-related committees that the memorandum of understanding that the US struck with Iran did not include any side deals, but a side letter was drafted between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency extend

Iran warns of 'crushing response' to any breach of agreement by US

Ghalibaf said Iran remained committed to implementing the conditions outlined by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei but would respond forcefully to any breach of the agreement

Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei endorses direct talks with US as hostilities end

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei endorsed direct negotiations with the US late Thursday in a statement read by state media. "It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy's opinion," he said. It was Khamenei's first reaction to the deal recently reached between Iran and the US to end hostilities. The supreme leader has not been seen in public since he was wounded in a strike at the start of the war. Meanwhile, the US military has formally lifted the blockade of Iranian shipping, US Central Command announced in a social media post Thursday. The announcement comes just hours after Vice President JD Vance told reporters that 12.5 million barrels of oil went through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and that the military has allowed "north of a dozen ships to go through our naval blockade." However, the post from US Central Command said that US Navy ships "will remain in the general area to make sur

US ends Hormuz blockade, downplays toll fears as negotiations restart

The interim agreement ended the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and launched a 60-day negotiation period to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear programme and regional security issues