Israel Iran Conflict

IMO prepares evacuation plan for hundreds of ships stuck in Persian Gulf

The plan can only be put into action when there are clear signs of de-escalation, according to Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez

US-Iran ceasefire likely to be extended, says former Centcom chief

The ceasefire between the US and Iran is expected to be extended beyond the initial two-week period, as both sides are willing to continue negotiations, former Central Command chief David H Petraeus has said. The ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday. Petraeus, the former general who also served as CIA director, said that there is a "reasonable expectation" that the ceasefire could be prolonged as negotiators from both sides prepare for a possible second round of talks in Islamabad, although uncertainty remains over final participation. "I think both the US and Iran want to extend the ceasefire," he told PTI Videos in an interview on Monday. His comments came amid US media reports that Vice President J D Vance is likely to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks with Iran to end the seven-week war. On the other hand, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that his country has yet to decide whether to attend the next round

Oil slips on hopes US-Iran talks likely to proceed, boosting supply

Brent futures ​declined 95 cents, or 1%, at $94.53, as of 0003 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures ‌for May fell $1.54, or 1.72%, to $88.07

Scam messages offering ships safe passage via Hormuz, warns security firm

The US has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has lifted and then re-imposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

Trump signals no truce extension with Iran on eve of scheduled peace talks

Trump said in an interview on Monday that the ceasefire expires on Wednesday evening in Washington and he is 'not going to be rushed into making a bad deal'

JD Vance likely to travel to Islamabad today for next round of peace talks

US Vice President J D Vance is likely to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks with Iran to end the seven-week war, according to a media report. On Monday, US President Donald Trump told The New York Post that the Vance-led delegation was already en route to Islamabad, while other media outlets reported that the vice president was very much in Washington. Vance is expected to reach Islamabad as the two-week ceasefire, agreed to between the US and Iran on April 8, ends amid threats by Trump to bomb bridges and power plants in Iran if both sides fail to reach a deal. With Vance expected to reach Islamabad late Tuesday, Trump has effectively extended the ceasefire by a day till Wednesday. "Vice President Vance is expected to depart for Islamabad by Tuesday morning for talks with Iran over a potential deal to end the war," American news outlet Axios reported, quoting three US sources. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to join Vance. The fragile cease

Seized Iranian ship Touska likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US

The security sources said their initial assessments were the vessel was likely to be carrying dual-use items after a voyage from Asia

Iran war-driven scarcity hitting Asia may soon spread across the world

The Asia-Pacific was hit hard and quick by the war in Iran and its energy bottlenecks; scenes of crisis there indicate that problems are multiplying and spreading

'Immediate Results' vs 'The Long Game': US, Iran clash in high-stakes talks

As the United States and Iran make a second attempt at a deal, their negotiating styles are on a collision course

'Lots of bombs' to fall on Iran if no deal: Trump warns ahead of deadline

Trump warns of escalation ahead of April 22 deadline even as US plans fresh talks in Islamabad amid blockade continuing in the Strait of Hormuz

'We don't accept negotiations under shadow of threats': Iran Parl speaker

"We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats," Parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf wrote early Tuesday morning in Tehran in a social media post on X. He accused the United States of wanting Iran to surrender and said that on the contrary, Iran has been preparing "to reveal new cards on the battlefield." President Donald Trump said Vice President JD Vance, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff would be going Monday to Islamabad, where Pakistani officials were preparing the venue, but Iranians made no commitment to a second round of talks with the US, and Vance's motorcade was later spotted at the White House. Trump said he's "highly unlikely" to renew the ceasefire before it expires at 0000 GMT Wednesday (8 pm ET Tuesday.) The escalating standoff threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy after nearly two months of fighting that Iran's forensic chief has killed at least 3,375 people in Iran. Israel and Lebanon meanwhile said

New US-Iran deal 'far better' than 2015 deal: Trump slams Obama, Biden

Donald Trump vows 'better' Iran deal than Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as US team heads to Islamabad for talks

Pakistan prepares for peace talks despite US seizure of Iranian cargo ship

President Donald Trump is defending his Iran war strategy, attacking critics and skeptics on Monday as "TRAITORS, ALL" after a second round of talks with Iran were thrown into doubt by the US Navy's seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. It was the first such interception since the US blockade of Iranian ports began last week, and Iran's military vowed to respond. Trump said Vice President JD Vance, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff would be going in Islamabad on Monday, where Pakistani officials were preparing the venue, but Iranians made no commitment to a Round Two of talks with the US, and Vance's motorcade was later spotted at the White House. Trump appeared to throw cold water on hopes for an agreement, telling Bloomberg News Monday that he's "highly unlikely" to renew the ceasefire before it expires Wednesday. The escalating standoff threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy after nearly two months of ...

Domestic production of oil, gas ramped up amid West Asia crisis: RBI Guv

The current crisis in West Asia significantly impacts India, as the region accounts for approximately one-sixth of the country's exports, half of its crude oil imports, and nearly two-fifths of the inward remittances, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra said. During his address at Princeton University on April 18, 2026, the governor highlighted that the Indian economy has demonstrated resilient growth over the past decade, supported by robust policy frameworks, financial stability, and sound fiscal policies. He noted that, in response to the ongoing crisis, India is increasing its domestic production of oil and gas. "Sources of imports are being diversified. While there is no shortage of oil, given the reserves maintained by us, there is some rationing of gas for industrial purposes," he said. Malhotra emphasised that while oil marketing companies and the government have absorbed some of the price pressures in oil, a portion of the pressures on gas prices has been .

India in touch with Iran for safe exit of ships via Strait of Hormuz: MEA

India is in touch with the Iranian authorities for the safety of its ships and for their safe exit through the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday. The comments by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation came in response to a query on two Indian vessels having reported a firing incident recently while transiting the critical maritime sea lane. Details were also sought about the steps New Delhi has taken to ensure safety of Indian vessels. "In the past 48 hours, two Indian vessels, VLCC Samnar Herald and Bulk Carrier Jag Arnav, reported a firing incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, following which they returned to the Persian Gulf. There has been no injury to any crew reported," the Indian government said in an official statement after the briefing. The safety and security of Indian seafarers is the top priority of government of India, it said. "We have several of our ships in the Pers

China calls Hormuz international waterway; Xi presses for reopening

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz for normal passage of ships, as Beijing described it as an "international waterway" amid assertions by Iran that it has an inalienable right over it. The Strait of Hormuz should remain open to normal navigation, which is in the common interest of regional countries and the international community, Xi told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during their phone talks, an official statement said. This is the first statement by the Chinese leader on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, followed by the US blockade of Iranian ports in their current conflict. The closure of the Strait has resulted in acute energy shortages across the world, especially in Asia, and China, which is a major importer of Iranian oil, is increasingly concerned about the prolongation of the US-Israel-Iran war. "The Strait of Hormuz should remain open for normal passage, which aligns with the common interest of countr

Trump says Israel did not push US into Iran war, cites nuclear threat

Trump said Israel did not influence his decision to go to war with Iran, attributing the move instead to his long-held stance against Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons

Trump says team led by Vance heading to Pakistan for talks with Iran

Trump said the team would include Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner

Truckers brace for first diesel price hike in four years amid Iran war

India is among the countries most exposed to the trade upheaval in the West Asia as the conflict extends into an eighth week