Page 6 - Latest Updates on West Asia Conflict

Centre plans to bolster key export scheme as Iran war sours trade outlook

West Asia conflict weakened trade in March, with India's merchandise exports falling 7.4 per cent year-on-year and 24 of 30 major export categories declining

'Operation Fauxios': Iran Parliament Speaker mocks US media reports on deal

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf rejected reports of a possible arrangement between Iran and the United States, accusing American media outlets of repeatedly spreading misinformation

Iran likely to submit response to US proposal on West Asia crisis on May 7

The diplomacy is being spearheaded by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are reportedly communicating with Tehran both through direct channels and third-party intermediaries

Oil prices rise as investors weigh prospects of peace deal in West Asia war

Both benchmarks slumped more than 7 per cent on Wednesday, hitting two-week lows on optimism over a possible end to the West Asia war

France moves aircraft carrier group toward Hormuz for possible defence

France's aircraft carrier strike group is moving south of the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea in preparation for a potential French-British mission in the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday. The deployment puts Europe's most powerful warship closer to the strait whose effective closure has come to epitomise the war in Iran, stranding hundreds of ships and triggering what the International Energy Agency calls the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. The defensive effort is distinct from the US "Project Freedom" that launched Monday and was paused by President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening. The repositioning of the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle and its escorts comes as part of a proposed mission championed by France and Britain to restore maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as conditions allow. It "may help restore confidence among shipowners and insurers," Macron said on X. "It remains distinct from the

Iran ready to provide technical support to commercial ships in Hormuz

According to IRNA, the maritime authority stated that ships may access a range of services, including provisions, fuel supply, medical assistance, health services

US Navy fires at Iranian-flagged vessel in Gulf of Oman as part of blockade

According to CENTCOM, US forces acted after the vessel, identified as M/T Hasna, did not comply despite repeated warnings while transiting international waters toward an Iranian port

Peace deal with Iran 'possible', held 'good talks' over 44 hours: Trump

He further claimed that recent engagements between Washington and Tehran had shown progress, while reiterating his administration's hardline stance on Iran's military capabilities

Best of BS Opinion: Credit guarantee scheme will help small businesses

Today's opinion wrap explores the economic fallout of the West Asia conflict, digital governance reforms, telecom disaster preparedness and the growing role of AI in policymaking

US, Iran closing in on one-page memo to end war as talks progress: Report

The US expects Iranian responses on several key points within the next 48 hours. However, it also cautioned that no agreement has been reached yet

Will only accept 'fair and comprehensive agreement' with US, says Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister did not directly address Trump's offer of a pause in the US operation to escort ships via Hormuz, offered earlier as an incentive to help reach an agreement between two sides

China tells Iran 'comprehensive' ceasefire is needed as war drags on

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday evening he was pausing the US effort to guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz to allow time for a deal to end the Iran war, but that the American forces' blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing on Wednesday morning, the official Xinhua news agency reported, without providing further details. It was the first time since the start of the war that Araghchi has travelled to China, whose close economic and political ties to Tehran give it a unique position of influence. Earlier in Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had expressed hope that Beijing would reiterate to Tehran the need to release its chokehold on the strait, which is a vital waterway for global energy. Iran's effective closure of the strait, through which major oil and gas supplies passed before the war, along with fertilizer and other petroleum produc

Iran enforces new rules in Hormuz; mandates prior permits for vessels

Shipping companies planning to navigate the chokepoint will now receive electronic instructions from an address affiliated with the Persian Gulf Strait Authority

Trump looks for a silver bullet to end Iran war, but there may be none

The president is trying to ratchet up the economic pressure on Tehran, but Iran's government is unlikely to make a deal without a big, face-saving compromise

White House insists war in West Asia is over, even while missiles fly

The White House is turning to rhetorical leaps as President Trump tries to put the biggest political crisis of his presidency behind him

China didn't challenge US naval blockade on Iran in Hormuz, says Trump

Trump noted China's reliance on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and said Beijing has maintained a respectful stance regarding the ongoing situation

Iran denies UAE's missile attack claims, warns against retaliatory action

The remarks come after a sharp rebuke from the UAE, which denounced the 'renewed unprovoked Iranian aggression' involving the deployment of drones and missiles

Asian markets hit records on AI euphoria, US-Iran peace deal hopes

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan jumped 2.3 per cent to a fresh record, led by a 5.1 per cent surge in South Korea's Kospi

Trump pauses Project Freedom in Hormuz in push for deal with Iran

Trump cited 'Great Progress' toward 'a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran', however, he added that a US blockade would 'remain in full force and effect'

US proposes resolution to UNSC to defend free navigation, secure Hormuz

US State Secy Marco Rubio stated that the proposal comes at the direction of US President Donald Trump in conjunction with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar