Page 28 - West Asia

Iran says Hormuz open to all expect enemy-linked ships amid US threat

The threat of Iranian attacks during the US-Israeli war on Iran has kept most ships from getting through the narrow strait, the conduit for around a fifth of global oil and LNG supplies

Evaluate hiking equity exposure over the next few weeks: Prashant Jain

The prevailing valuations of Nifty of 17.5x one-year forward earnings are reasonable and have room for some rerating apart from returns driven by nearly 12 per cent earnings CAGR over the medium-term.

Indian firms facing shipment delays, input shortages amid Iran war: CII

Indian companies are facing disruptions ranging from shipment delays to shortages of key raw materials due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said on Sunday, highlighting growing stress across sectors dependent on global trade flows. In a statement, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said firms are already seeing "downstream effects" as the conflict disrupts key maritime routes and tightens global supply chains. "Indian companies are experiencing downstream effects, from shipment delays to constraints in key energy inputs, as well as emerging shortages in essential raw materials and intermediates across several sectors that rely heavily on timely cross-border flows," he said. The industry body noted that disruptions have also placed pressure on energy markets and trade, affecting both imports and exports, with ripple-effects being felt across manufacturing and other industries. "The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted critical

West Asia war: PM Modi calls ministerial meeting to review energy situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting Sunday evening with senior ministers to review to take stock of petroleum, power, and fertiliser sectors in view of the evolving West Asia situation, sources have said. The focus of the meeting is to ensure uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and efficient distribution across the country, and the government is taking proactive steps to this end, they said. Continuous monitoring of global developments to protect consumer and industry interests is the key focus of the government, they said. On March 12, Modi said that the war in West Asia has triggered a worldwide energy crisis, posing a critical test of national character that requires dealing with circumstances through peace, patience, and increased public awareness. The prime minister emphasised that his government is working relentlessly to address disruptions that have emerged in international supply chains. "Continuous efforts are also underway to determine how we can overco

Iran internet blackout stretches into 4th week amid ongoing war concerns

The prolonged disruption has significantly curtailed communication channels both within the country and with the outside world, raising concerns

West Asia war, crude oil prices likely to steer stock markets this week

Developments related to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and its impact on crude oil prices will continue to rule investors' sentiment in a holiday-shortened week ahead, analysts said. Besides, trends in global markets, trading activity of foreign investors and rupee-dollar movement would also drive momentum in equities. Stock markets would remain closed on Thursday for Shri Ram Navami. "This week is expected to remain data-sensitive amid ongoing global uncertainties. Developments in the West Asia conflict and movements in crude oil prices will continue to act as key external drivers and are likely to dictate the near-term market trend. "On the domestic front, investors will closely monitor HSBC Flash PMI data for manufacturing, services, and composite segments, which will provide an early indication of business activity trends," Ajit Mishra -- SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said. Foreign investors have pulled out Rs 88,180 crore (about USD 9.6 billion) from Indian equities

PM Modi stresses need for secure shipping in call with Iran's President

PM Modi also condemned attacks on "critical infrastructure" in the region, which he said threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains

Iran threatens to target US energy, IT systems if fuel facilities attacked

This warning from Tehran comes as defence officials at the Pentagon have formulated comprehensive strategies for the potential deployment of United States ground troops into Iran

Japan says not considering unilateral negotiations with Iran on Hormuz

About 45 Japan-linked vessels remain affected in the strait, a critical artery for global energy supplies, Japan said, adding that the government will take responsibility for their safety

Iran strikes near Israeli nuclear hub as Trump sets 48-hr Hormuz deadline

Iranian missiles struck two communities in southern Israel late Saturday, leaving buildings shattered and dozens injured in dual attacks not far from Israel's main nuclear research centre, while President Donald Trump warned the US will "obliterate" Iranian power plants if it doesn't fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The developments signalled the war was moving in a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week. Trump -- who is facing increasing pressure at home to secure the strait as oil prices soar -- issued the ultimatum in a social media post while he spent the weekend at his Florida home. Trump said he's giving Iran 48 hours to open the vital waterway or face a new round of attacks. He said the US would destroy "various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the globe's oceans, is a critical pathway for the world's flow of oil. Attacks on commercial ships and threats of

Shockwave of West Asia conflict is rippling through global economy

Every purchasing manager index for which Bloomberg collects estimates is anticipated to show a decline when initial numbers for March are released on Tuesday

Iran's death toll in ongoing war now over 1,500: State broadcaster

More than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran during the war, the state broadcaster said late Saturday, citing the health ministry. Residents said Iran's capital saw heavy airstrikes as they marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Iran targeted a joint UK-US military base in the Indian Ocean, and Iran's main nuclear enrichment site was struck again, as the war in the Middle East entered its fourth week. Iran's attack on the Diego Garcia base -- 4,000 km away -- suggested Tehran has missiles that can go farther than previously acknowledged, or that it had used its space programme for an improvised launch. The US and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Iran's leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programmes and its support for armed proxies. There have been no signs of an uprising, while internet restrictions limit information from Iran. The war's effects are felt far beyond the Middle East, raising foo

Iran says its Natanz nuclear facility has been hit in an airstrike

Iran's Natanz nuclear facility was hit Saturday in an airstrike, the official Iranian news agency Mizan reported. There was no radiation leakage, it said. Natanz, Iran's main enrichment site, was hit in the first week of the war and several buildings appeared damaged, according to satellite images. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said that "no radiological consequence" was expected from that earlier strike. The nuclear facility, located nearly 220 kilometers (135 miles) southeast of Tehran, had been targeted by Israeli airstrikes in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025, and by the United States.

West Asia crisis must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy: Rajnath

The ongoing war in West Asia is a matter of concern not only for India, but for the entire world and it must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday. India has clearly stated its position, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that war will not bring a solution, he said while speaking at an event in Uttarakhand's Haldwani. "The constant attacks in West Asia are a matter of concern not only for India but for the entire world," he said, adding: "If a solution is to be found, it will come through dialogue and diplomacy." "When the world is facing conflict, no country can remain unaffected. India may also be affected, but to date, our prime minister, through his ability and wisdom has kept India from falling into a difficult situation," Singh said in Hindi. The defence minister's remarks came against the backdrop of increasing global concerns over fresh attacks on West Asian gas hubs. An Israeli attack on Iran's strategic South P

What Iran's failed-to-hit strike on Diego Garcia base in Indian Ocean means

While there were no reports of damage or casualties, the significance of the episode lay less in the outcome and more in what it demonstrated

Vishwaguru delusion, mine vs yours: Two flawed takes on India's power

One side thinks India is punching way above its weight.The other thinks Mr Modi has undermined India, and it punches below its strength. Both are wrong

West Asia conflict: Stranded vessels running out of fresh water, food

DG Shipping warns of supply shortages on stranded vessels, rising freight and insurance costs, and potential disruptions to India's trade and energy security

PM reaches out to West Asian leaders on Eid amid energy security concerns

Prime Minister speaks to GCC leaders, flags need for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz and highlights risks to global food, fuel and fertiliser security

The Gulf war is now a global crisis: Russia, China emerge as winners

Israel has used its deep relationship with the United States (US) to emerge as the strongest and most advanced military power in the West Asia/Gulf region

A battle of inventories: No one knows how long the Iran war will last

In the 12-day war of 2025, Israel and Iran traded attacks from June 13 to June 24. There are unconfirmed reports Israel was running out of interceptors by the end, when the US brokered a ceasefire