Middle East

Mojtaba Khamenei rejects proposals to reduce tensions with US: Report

The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed off, with US allies rebuffing US President Donald Trump's request for help to reopen the critical waterway, raising energy prices and fears of inflation

India evacuates over 550 nationals from Iran via Armenia: Jaishankar

India has evacuated over 550 of its nationals from Iran through Armenia, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanking Yerevan on Monday for facilitating the land-border transit. New Delhi has been urging Indian nationals stuck in Iran to cross over to Armenia for subsequent travel to India in view of the escalating conflict in West Asia. "Thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far," Jaishankar, currently on a visit to Brussels, said. "Appreciate their support in these challenging times," he said on social media. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that around 9,000 Indians were staying in Iran, and the government of India is assisting those who want to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia for their subsequent return to India. "These 9,000 Indian nationals comprise students; they also comprise seafarers, some business people, some professionals, and some ...

IRGC threatens to hunt Netanyahu as Israel denies assassination rumours

The IRCS's statement comes as viral posts question Netanyahu's whereabouts and claim his latest video was AI-generated, while his office insists the Israeli prime minister is 'fine'

CBSE cancels Class 12 board exams in Middle East countries amid ongoing war

The Central Board of Secondary Education cancels Class 12 board exams scheduled between March 16 and April 10 for students in Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations

India fast-tracks fertiliser imports amid West Asia crisis: Govt sources

India has fast-tracked fertiliser imports to safeguard supplies for the kharif sowing season as the West Asia crisis disrupts gas shipments, and shipping routes, government sources said on Saturday. India has brought forward a global tender for urea imports and ordered 13.5 lakh tonnes of fertiliser by mid-February. About 90 per cent of this order is expected to arrive by the end of March, the sources said. Urea, India's most consumed and heavily subsidised fertiliser, is produced domestically at around 30-31 million tonnes annually, with imports of 6-10 million tonnes bridging demand shortfalls. Production is heavily dependent on natural gas. India also imports phosphatic fertilisers, including Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and NPK compounds. A five-year supply contract with Saudi Arabia for 3 million tonnes of DAP remains intact with "no force majeure," the sources said. Supplies of urea, DAP and NPK from Russia and Morocco are flowing uninterrupted via the Cape of Good Hope ...

West Asia war erodes ₹30-trn investor wealth in 2 wks: Why is D-St jittery?

In just the past week, the total mcap of BSE-listed companies has fallen by about ₹15.9 trillion from ₹449.35 trillion on March 6

MOFSL upbeat on Va Tech Wabag despite Middle East tensions; sees 54% upside

Va Tech Wabag is well-positioned for sustained growth, with regular order inflows and normal project execution in the Middle East despite current escalating tensions

LPG delays, black marketing hit 57% households in the past week: Survey

The survey, conducted by LocalCircles, found that a majority of households reported difficulties in obtaining cooking gas cylinders over the past seven days

Strait of Hormuz will stay closed, used as leverage, warns Mojtaba Khamenei

In his first comments as Supreme Leader, Khamenei said the critical Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as a means of leverage and that all US bases in the region should be closed immediately

Stranded due to West Asia conflict? It may affect your tax residency status

Incorrect assessment of status and failure to fulfil tax-related obligations can have serious consequences

DHL Express Europe presses ahead with West Asia investments despite war

The Deutsche Post DHL group has announced more than 500 million euros ($577 million) in investment in the Middle East through 2030, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

VOC Port sets aside 90,000 sq m space for containers amid West Asia crisis

VOC Port Authority has made an arrangement of additional 90,000 square meter of space for shipping lines to keep their containers in the wake of the ongoing West Asia crisis, its Chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit said on Thursday. The official made the remarks while replying to a question on the sidelines of PHDCCI conference on shipbuilding and ship recycling. "We have given additional land to our customers where they can keep their goods safely beyond the time limit," Purohit said, sharing preparations made to deal with the situation of container diversions. However, the land remains unutilised as of now as operations and business at the port have not been affected, he said. He said all major ports are in constant touch of the Ministry of Shipping, terminal operators and shipping lines. Speaking further, the Chairman said the government is taking efforts to develop India as a hub of shipbuilding and ship recycling. The move will help save resources and increase availability of raw

Long days, longer nights: Seafarers trapped in West Asia navigate a war

Shared meals, regular work schedules, communication with families seeing them through uncertainty

Iran's joint military command says banks now major target in West Asia

A joint Iranian military command said on Wednesday that banks and financial institutions are now a target in the Middle East. The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters issued a statement identifying the targets. It came after Iranian media reported staff at a bank in Tehran had been killed in Israeli-American airstrikes. The threat would put at risk, particularly Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, which is home to many international financial institutions, as well as Saudi Arabia and the island kingdom of Bahrain.

Bengaluru hotels face shutdown from March 10 amid commercial LPG shortage

Hotel and restaurant operations in the city are likely to be affected starting March 10, following a sudden and total halt in the supply of commercial gas cylinders, the Bangalore Hotels Association said on Monday. This development comes amid rising energy costs and supply constraints caused by the West Asia conflict. "Since the gas supply has stopped, the hotels will be closed from tomorrow," the association said in a release. Noting that the supply of commercial gas cylinders stopped today, it said, since the hotel industry is an essential service, common people, students, and medical professionals, who rely on the hotels for daily meals, will be affected. "In addition, our hotel industry will also face difficulties until the gas supply returns to normal," it added. The association said oil companies had guaranteed an uninterrupted gas supply for 70 days, making the sudden stoppage a "big blow" to the hotel industry. "Therefore, we expect the concerned Union Ministers to take .

Hike in pump prices unlikely for now even as Brent tests $120 per barrel

Oil prices spike past $100 amid Iran war and supply cuts, raising fears of a sharply higher import bill, inflation and current account deficit for India

Oil remains potent geopolitical tool, decades after energy crisis

In the West Asia, Iran has leaned on one of its strategic advantages: its ability to disrupt the flow of oil and natural gas through the Persian Gulf and hurt economies around the world

IndiGo London-Mumbai flight diverted to Cairo; Delhi-Manchester returns

Another IndiGo flight operating from London Heathrow to Mumbai, diverted to Cairo on March 8 due to Flight Duty Time Limitations, and will resume its journey on March 10

West Asia conflict could boost palm oil demand from biodiesel sector

Indonesia, the world's largest user of palm oil-based biodiesel, said it may revive plans to roll out a B50 grade of palm oil biodiesel mid-year to counter surging crude oil prices

Lok Sabha fails to take up resolution seeking Speaker Om Birla's removal

The Lok Sabha on Monday could not take up a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla amid repeated adjournments, as opposition members demanded a debate on the West Asia situation. The government and the Chair accused the opposition of holding the House proceedings "hostage" to its demands. The House was adjourned for the day shortly after it reassembled at 3 pm, following an earlier adjournment due to relentless protests by opposition members. As proceedings resumed, opposition MPs continued raising slogans. Jagadambika Pal, who was chairing the proceedings, urged them to maintain decorum and allow the House to take up the resolution against Birla. Pal reminded the opposition that the no-confidence resolution against the Speaker was already on the House agenda, and their adjournment notice seeking debate on the West Asia crisis could not be taken up. He accused the opposition of wasting taxpayers' money -- about Rs 9 crore per day -- by holding the House "hostage" to its