Page 5 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Netanyahu, Trump agree to meet in US 'soon' during phone call: Israeli PMO

The development comes at a time when Trump has been publicly critical of Netanyahu in recent weeks after Israel's war with Hezbollah in Lebanon threatened peace talks with Iran

US must 'accept existing realities' on trade: Iranian Parliament Speaker

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticised US President Donald Trump over his remarks on Iran's economy and food needs, accusing him of projecting America's own domestic challenges

'Fake news': Israel rejects report on alleged threat to Iranian negotiators

According to the NYT, cited by the Times of Israel, US officials allegedly warned Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf of possible Israeli assassination attempts

US officials believed Israel plotted to kill Iran's Araghchi, negotiators

Any Israeli attempt to kill Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister, or Mohammad Ghalibaf, the Parliament speaker, would have derailed peace talks, American officials feared

Oil prices fall as investors await outcome of US-Iran talks in Doha

Brent August crude futures were down 0.9 per cent, or 64 cents, at $72.51 a ‌barrel as of 0356; US West Texas Intermediate for August fell 0.6 per cent, or 39 cents, to $70.36 a barrel

One-third of global carbon emissions growth in 2025 came from US: Report

An Energy Institute report found that higher natural gas prices prompted US power producers to increase coal use, driving a significant share of global emissions growth

Iran ratchets up talk of controlling Hormuz ahead of fresh US negotiations

Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi said Tehran wants to oversee shipping traffic through the waterway, warning that Iran could move ahead with its own plans if no agreement is reached with Oman

China emerges as a winner from Hormuz crisis, gains manufacturing edge

A report examines how the war in Iran has weighed on Asian economies, but left China in a more advantageous position

US envoy heads to Doha as Iran pledges to honour commitments if US does

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would fulfil its commitments if Washington does the same, as US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Doha for talks

Iran risks peace talks with US to maintain leverage over Strait of Hormuz

Iran sees its control over the Strait of Hormuz as critical leverage in peace talks with the United States; it seems willing to risk the cease-fire to maintain that power

Iran attacks Bahrain, Kuwait following US strikes, threatens to halt talks

Bahrain and Kuwait said on Sunday that Iran targeted their nations with drone and missile fire overnight after new US airstrikes hit Iran. The new crossfire in the Persian Gulf further strains the initial deal that Iran and the United States struck in an effort to find a permanent end to the war. Both Bahrain and Kuwait denounced the Iranian attacks, though it wasn't clear what, if anything, had been hit. The US military's Central Command said it struck Iranian military "surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities" following an attack on a ship at sea early Saturday morning. That ship, the Panamanian-flagged tanker Kiku, was carrying crude oil for the state-run energy company of Qatar, a key mediator between Iran and the US.

Markets ahead: West Asia tensions, crude prices key factors to watch out

Developments on the geopolitical front, with the latest military exchanges involving the US and Iran, their impact on crude oil prices and domestic macroeconomic data announcements would dictate sentiments in the stock market this week, analysts said. Besides, trading patterns of foreign investors and progress of the southwest monsoon would also remain the key areas of focus for investors, they added. "Market participants will closely monitor Industrial Production (IIP) data, the final HSBC Manufacturing, Services and Composite PMI readings, and the foreign exchange reserves data for fresh insights into the health of the domestic economy," Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said. Globally, the trajectory of crude oil prices and geopolitical developments in West Asia will remain key drivers of market sentiment, he said. The monthly auto sales numbers on July 1 will also be tracked by investors closely. "The week ahead is likely to be shaped by developments on the ..

US says it struck 10 Iran targets as ceasefire strained by new attacks

The US military said Saturday it had struck 10 targets in Iran at President Donald Trump's direction, continuing a string of attacks that have shaken the war's uneasy ceasefire. US Central Command, in a post to social media, said that US military aircraft targeted Iranian military "surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities" following an attack on a merchant vessel early on Saturday morning. It later specified the strikes involved 10 Iranian military targets at multiple locations in and near the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing strikes in the Persian Gulf show the danger of the Iran war again spinning out of control, even after Iran and the US reached an interim deal to try and agree on a final accord to end the conflict. In a social media post, Trump said the US had "struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!" He warned of a

Israel, Lebanon reach framework deal to end conflict, advance peace talks

Israel will maintain a "security zone" along the boundaries of the yellow line, which marks a seized territory that stretches some 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanon from the Israeli border

Israel, Lebanon sign framework deal with US in 'first step' toward peace

Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with Israel and Lebanon's ambassadors announced a framework agreement Friday that was described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The officials did not share details on the agreement that was signed by Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, and Nada Hamadeh, ambassador of Lebanon to the United States.

India Inc profit hit from West Asia crisis to halve if truce holds: Crisil

The profitability impact of the recent West Asia conflict on corporate India is likely to be about half as severe as initially feared if the US-Iran ceasefire holds and energy supplies continue to normalise, Crisil Ratings said. The ratings agency said it now expects the conflict to shave around 100 basis points off India Inc's operating margins in fiscal 2027, compared with its earlier estimate of a 200-basis-point hit under a prolonged conflict scenario that included disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The revised outlook follows a sharp correction in crude oil prices after the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under a fragile US-Iran memorandum of understanding, although Crisil cautioned that geopolitical risks remain elevated and gas supplies could take longer to normalise. "If the armistice sustains, two-thirds of the 34 sectors (we assessed) will see minimal disruption, with margin recovery in the second half mostly offsetting pressures of the first half," sai

Hormuz reopening quickly floods oil markets with supply, weighing on prices

An increase in crude shipments from the Persian Gulf, combined with weak Chinese demand and inventory releases, is putting downward pressure on oil prices worldwide

US would reject Iran deal with shipping tolls on Hormuz: Trump warns Tehran

Iran sought to claim control of the strait after US and Israel launched strikes, denying passage to ships that hadn't been pre-authorised and effectively shutting down the waterway

White House seeks $87.6 bn for Iran war, farmers' aid and Ebola response

The White House has formally requested USD 87.6 billion mostly to replenish the Pentagon after the US war against Iran, submitting the request to Congress at a politically difficult time as a majority of lawmakers have objected to any further military action. The Office of Management and Budget sent the supplemental spending request Wednesday. It arrived just hours after President Donald Trump assailed Republican senators during a private lunch -- engaging in a shouting match with one -- over their votes to approve a war powers resolution that would halt further hostilities. The request is mostly for Operation Epic Fury, but it also includes a range of other items including aid to American farmers, help for the Ebola crisis in Africa and other needs closer to home, including restoration projects in Washington, D.C. "I urge the Congress to take action on these important and urgent requests as soon as possible," said OMB Director Russ Vought in a letter to House Speaker Mike ...

Oil prices fall towards pre-war levels as tankers exit Strait of Hormuz

Brent crude futures for August delivery fell 40 cents, or 0.54 per cent, ‌to $73.34 a barrel as of 0004 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate fell 27 cents, or 0.38 per cent, to $70.07 a barrel