West Asia And The Gulf

Israel claims Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib has been killed

Israel said Wednesday it killed another top Iranian official, the third in two days, while Iran lashed out with attacks on its Persian Gulf neighbours and Israel, using some of its latest missiles to evade air defences and killing two people near Tel Aviv as the war in the Middle East showed no signs of slowing. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib had been killed in an overnight strike and promised that "significant surprises are expected throughout this day on all fronts," without elaborating. Iran did not immediately confirm Khatib's death. Israel killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani and the head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard's Basij force on Tuesday. In Lebanon, Israel kept up its intense pressure with strikes it said targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, hitting multiple apartment buildings in Beirut and killing at least a dozen people. In Iran, the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex was hit by a ...

Alternative West Asia shipping routes provide relief for aluminium prices

Aluminium prices ease as Emirates Global Aluminium secures alternative export routes, easing supply fears linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz

Iran attacks Israel, Gulf nations after Israeli strike kills Ali Larijani

Iran launched strikes toward Israel and neighbouring Gulf countries early Wednesday, with explosions heard in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and interceptions reported in Saudi Arabia. The attacks came hours after Iranian state media confirmed Israel's military killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike, as well as Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's Basij force, known for its role in suppressing protests. An Israeli airstrike struck an apartment building in Bachoura, central Beirut, completely flattening it as day broke. Two earlier strikes on residential apartments in other central Beirut neighbourhoods early Wednesday killed at least six people and wounded 24 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israeli strikes targeting central Beirut have become increasingly frequent in recent days, with or without prior warning. The attacks have hit far from the city's southern suburbs, for which the army issued ...

UAE air defences responding to incoming missile, drone threats from Iran

According to the Ministry of Defence, UAE's air defences are 'currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran'

Ensure airlines assess risk before flying in conflict-hit areas: ALPA

Pilots' body ALPA India on Tuesday asked its members to ensure that airline operators carry out "appropriate operational risk assessments" before planning flights in or near conflict-affected areas. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) India, in an advisory to all pilots under an Indian licence, said that the pilots must remain aware that the risk environment in conflict-affected areas can change rapidly and without adequate warning. The advisory has come amid the escalating war in West Asia, involving the US, Israel and Iran, which has led to cancellations of a number of flights due to airspace closures since February 28. The pilots' body said that members are advised to take note of the potential implications related to aviation insurance coverage, particularly with respect to war-risk clauses. Under certain circumstances, insurance providers may withdraw or limit coverage for operations conducted in designated conflict zones or high-risk airspaces, it said. ALPA India is an .

Biz chamber seeks RBI relief for exporters hit by West Asia crisis

The Bharat Chamber of Commerce (BCC) wrote to RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, urging supportive banking measures for exporters reeling under disruptions in global logistics and shipping routes caused by ongoing tensions in West Asia. In a letter on Monday, it said West Asia serves not only as a key destination for Indian exports but also as a critical transhipment hub for shipments bound for Europe and Africa. "The ongoing situation has led to diversion of shipping routes, port congestion, higher freight and insurance costs, and extended transit periods, straining working capital cycles and liquidity positions of exporters," it said. The BCC urged RBI to encourage banks to adopt a supportive credit approach by enhancing working capital limits, providing ad-hoc credit facilities, and extending the tenure of pre-shipment and post-shipment export credit. Greater flexibility in rollover of packing credit and extension of due dates for export bills was also sought. It also requested ...

Gulf investors likely to keep funding Africa renewables despite Iran war

Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds and state-backed companies are unlikely to scale back renewable energy investments in Africa despite disruptions from the Iran war, analysts say, given the strong long-term economic and strategic reasons driving such funding. Investors made wealthy by the Gulf region's abundant oil and gas increasingly are turning to Africa's clean energy sector, attracted by rising electricity demand, rapid urbanization and the continent's growing role in global supply chains tied to critical minerals and manufacturing. A report released last month by the Clean Air Task Force found that more than $101.9 billion had flowed into Africa's renewable energy sector from Gulf countries by end of 2024, led by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. Much of the investment has been concentrated in North Africa, Southern Africa and parts of East Africa, while West Africa has attracted relatively limited funding. "Africa remains one of the few ..

Gulf economies at risk of worst slump since early 1990s on Iran war

Qatar and Kuwait could each see their gross domestic product contract by 14% this year should the conflict continue through April

Air India, AI Express to operate 48 flights to and from West Asia today

These flights are being operated with the requisite permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authorities

India announces 30-day visa extension to foreigners amid West Asia Conflict

Authorities said the penalty for any overstay by affected foreign nationals due to the ongoing conflict after February 28 would be waived

Markets are not fully pricing in West Asia war impact, says Chris Wood

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifeline for global oil and gas transit, also remains closed. As a result, crude oil and gas prices have been on an upward spiral in the last few days.

China condemns Iran's attacks on Gulf nations, calls for ceasefire

China condemned indiscriminate attacks on civilians and Gulf states, while urging ceasefire and diplomacy. China also abstained from a UN resolution condemning Iran's strikes

As Iran's war expands, how Europe shaped today's West Asia conflicts

After the Ottoman Empire collapsed in World War I, European powers redrew West Asia's map through secret deals and mandates, creating borders and tensions that still shape the region today

BSE 500 stocks: Swiggy, Colgate, Trent, Infosys, ITC Hotels hit 52-wk lows

Markets in free-fall: The Sensex has declined over 1 per cent in the last seven out of nine trading sessions; dragging 55 out of BSE 500 stocks to new 52-week lows on Thursday.

21 flights cancelled at Bengaluru airport due to airspace restrictions

A total of 21 flights were cancelled at Kempegowda International Airport on Wednesday due to airspace restrictions affecting services to several West Asian destinations, BIIAL said. In a statement, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which manages the airport, said that due to airspace restrictions on 11th March 2026, as many as 11 arrival flights and 10 departure flights were cancelled. The BIAL added that the cancellations primarily affected flights operating on key international sectors including Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai and Doha, which witnessed disruptions due to the airspace curbs.

Iran, Russia foreign ministers discuss regional tensions over phone

They exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and the broader consequences of the conflict for regional and international stability

Global hunt for LNG intensifies as West Asia conflict cuts supply

The conflict has shut down Ras Laffan, the world's largest LNG export facility in Qatar, and halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz

Fertiliser stocks in demand: RCF, Chambal, Deepak, GSFC, GNFC zoom upto 12%

US-Iran war impact: West Asian nations are key suppliers of major fertilisers as well as raw materials for fertiliser manufacturing like sulphur, ammonia etc.

Asian airlines raise fares as West Asia conflict drives fuel costs

Airlines in the region aren't as well hedged against high oil prices as rivals in Europe or the US, making them more vulnerable to sudden surges in jet fuel prices

How West Asia conflict threatens LNG supply chain powering India's economy

West Asia conflict and disruption near the Strait of Hormuz threaten LNG shipments vital to India's fertiliser, power and manufacturing sectors, raising risks of supply shocks and higher energy costs