Page 3 - Middle East

West Asia crisis: India offers foreigners visa relief amid flight chaos

Hundreds of flights cancelled after West Asia tensions; MEA asks foreign nationals in India to contact FRRO for visa extensions and stay help

West Asia crisis: Jaishankar speaks to foreign ministers of Iran, Israel

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held separate phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar as the Middle East reeled under massive tension following a joint US-Israel military offensive against Iran. Jaishankar conveyed to Araghchi India's deep concern over the developments in Iran and the region. "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening. Shared India's deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the region," Jaishankar said on social media. On his conversation with Sa'ar, Jaishankar said he reiterated "India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions". Following the attack by the US and Israel, Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting Israeli and American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump, announcing the military offensive against Tehra

DGCA asks airlines to avoid airspaces of 11 countries till March 2

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Saturday advised airlines to avoid airspaces of 11 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, till March 2. The countries are Iran, Israel, Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. Many airspaces are already shut in the wake of the attacks on Iran by Israel and the US on Saturday. Indian airlines have suspended their services to the Middle East. The advisory has been issued in alignment with international safety standards and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB), the regulator said. The watchdog has asked airlines to refrain from operating within the 11 affected airspaces at all flight levels and altitudes. Carriers have been asked to closely monitor all updated Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) and Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the affected countries and national authorities. "This advisory is effective immediately and remains valid until March 02, 202

Iran conflict to push freight, insurance costs up: Indian exporters

With a joint attack by the US and Israel on Iran triggering a massive military confrontation in the Middle East, Indian exporters on Saturday said the development is expected to push transportation and insurance costs up, potentially disrupting the outbound shipments to the US and Europe. They said that any prolonged tensions in the region could impact oil prices and that will have implications on input costs and current stability. Following the attack by the United States and Israel, Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting several American military bases in the Middle East, including in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President SC Ralhan said the ongoing conflict has already begun to disrupt established global logistics channels. "Air routes are being altered, and maritime trade through the Red Sea and key Gulf straits faces heightened uncertainty. If diversions become prolonged, shipments may ...

Rahul, Kharge urge government to safeguard Indians in West Asia

The Congress on Saturday condemned the attacks launched on Iran by the US and Israel, and called upon the Indian government to help bring the hostilities to an end and ensure the safety of all Indians in the Middle East. The opposition party expressed concern over the escalating hostilities in the region and urged the government to ensure that all Indians living there are safe. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said his party is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, following the recent military escalation towards Iran. "Peace and stability in the region are paramount and must be preserved. "We are equally concerned about the safety and security of Indians in Iran and across the Middle East. We urge the Government of India to take all possible measures to ensure their protection and well-being," Kharge said in a post on X. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too expressed concern and called upon the government to take immediate proactive steps to ensu

West Asia crisis: Govt reviews preparedness with aviation stakeholders

The government on Saturday reviewed the preparedness of aviation stakeholders in the wake of the evolving Middle East situation and asked airlines to ensure timely rerouting, diversion of flights wherever required in accordance with safety protocols. Multiple airspaces have been closed in the wake of the attacks on Iran by Israel and the US. With Indian airlines suspending their Middle East operations and thousands of passengers facing travel disruptions, civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu held a high-level review meeting with the stakeholders. At the meeting, the ministry told airlines to ensure timely rerouting and diversion of flights wherever required in accordance with safety protocols. The review meeting of the civil aviation ministry focused on ensuring passenger safety, operational continuity, and real-time coordination amid airspace closures in the Middle East, according to an official release. Airport operators have been asked to enhance coordination with airlines

14 nations slam US envoy's remarks on Israel's territorial expansion

Arab and Muslim nations on Saturday sharply condemned comments by the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who said Israel has a right to much of the Middle East. Huckabee made the comments in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that aired Friday. Carlson said that according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham would receive land that today would include essentially the entire Middle East, and asked Huckabee if Israel had a right to that land. Huckabee responded: "It would be fine if they took it all." Huckabee added, however, that Israel was not looking to expand its territory and has a right to security in the land it legitimately holds. His comments sparked immediate backlash from neighboring Egypt and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry described Huckabee's comments as "extremist rhetoric" and "unacceptable," and called for the State Department to

US envoy's 'Israel take it all' remark sparks backlash in West Asia

Arab and Muslim nations on Saturday sharply condemned comments by the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who said Israel has a right to much of the Middle East. Huckabee made the comments in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that aired Friday. Carlson said that according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham would receive land that today would include essentially the entire Middle East, and asked Huckabee if Israel had a right to that land. Huckabee responded: "It would be fine if they took it all." Huckabee added, however, that Israel was not looking to expand its territory and has a right to security in the land it legitimately holds. His comments sparked immediate backlash from neighbouring Egypt and Jordan, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, which in separate statements called them extremist, provocative and not in line with the US position. Egypt's foreign ministry called Huckabee's comments a "blatant violati

Juspay eyes Middle East market, opens regional headquarter in Dubai

Payments infrastructure unicorn Juspay opens regional headquarters at Dubai's DIFC to serve enterprise merchants, banks and financial institutions across the GCC

BPCL leads push to lock in long-term Middle East crude oil purchases

BPCL, as the company is known, has issued tenders for three grades - Abu Dhabi's Murban, Iraqi Basrah and Oman crude - for delivery from April to March 2027

Rights groups say at least 16 dead in Iran during week of protests

Deaths and arrests have been reported through the week both by state media and rights groups, though the figures differ

What histories of Islamic-world slavery get right, and what they miss

A probing review of Captives and Companions reveals how slavery's long legacy in the Middle East shapes language, race, and memory - and how history itself becomes contested terrain

Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano erupts for first time after 10,000 years

The explosive eruption began around 8.30 am UTC on Sunday, said the Toulouse VAAC advisory

Reliance trying to sell some cargoes of Middle Eastern oil in rare offer

The company, controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has been trying to sell grades including Murban and Upper Zakum on the spot market

Saudi Arabia appoints Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan al-Fawzan as new grand mufti

Saudi Arabia appointed a prominent ultraconservative scholar late Wednesday as the country's new grand mufti, the kingdom's top religious scholar. Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan al-Fawzan, 90, took over the position, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. The decision came from King Salman, based on the recommendation of his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the report added. Sheikh Saleh, reportedly born Sept 28, 1935, in Saudi Arabia's al-Qassim province, studied the Quran with a local imam after his father's death. He became a prominent scholar, speaking to the faithful via the Noor ala al-Darb, or Light the Way, radio show and via multiple books he's authored and his television appearances. His fatwas, or religious orders, have been shared via social media as well. Sheikh Saleh has faced criticism in Western media in the past for some of his pronouncements. Human Rights Watch in 2017 reported Sheikh Saleh, when asked if Sunni Muslims should view Shiite as their brothers, ...

Refiners likely to buy more US LPG in 2026, cut Middle East imports

The state refiners have already informed their traditional suppliers of LPG in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar about the likely cut in LPG purchases

India backs two-state solution at NAM meet on Palestine in Kampala

Minister of State for External Affairs highlighted India's ongoing development cooperation and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people

Palestinians celebrate release of prisoners under Gaza ceasefire deal

Cheers erupted among Palestinians on Monday as Israel released nearly 2,000 prisoners under a Gaza ceasefire agreement that saw them exchanged for Israeli hostages freed by Hamas. Large crowds greeted the freed prisoners in Beitunia in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in Khan Younis in Gaza, flashing V-for-victory signs as they descended from International Committee of the Red Cross buses. In Beitunia, they were given traditional keffiyeh scarves as a show of nationalist pride. Some were lifted onto people's shoulders. Others sank into chairs, exhausted. It was an indescribable journey of suffering hunger, unfair treatment, oppression, torture and curses more than anything you could imagine, said Kamal Abu Shanab, a 51-year-old from the West Bank town of Tulkarem who was released after more than 18 years in prison. His face was gaunt. He said he lost 139 pounds (59 kilograms) in prison. We don't recognise him. He's not the person we knew. Our uncle doesn't look like our uncle,

Trump to receive Israel's top civilian honour for Gaza ceasefire deal

Israeli President Herzog announced that Trump will be awarded the 'Presidential Medal of Honour' for his role in brokering a ceasefire with Hamas, supporting Israel, and advancing peace in the region

Here's what to know about release of hostages, aid, as Trump visits Israel

Anticipation built across Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank on Sunday as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held before a critical day for all sides and the region. Preparations appeared underway for the freeing of the 48 hostages both alive and dead still in Gaza, and for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. More ramped-up aid was being readied for Gaza, much in ruins after two years of war that began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. In Israel's ensuing offensive, more than 67,600 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. U.S. President Donald Trump was scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday, staying a few hours before heading to Egypt. What we know and what remains unknown: 737 days since hostages taken Sunday was day 737 since the hostages were taken a number many Israelis have updated daily on strips of adhesive tape worn in national ...