Iran, US-Israel War Highlights | Stopping Iran's nuclear program outweighs Americans' economic pain: Trump

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Adviser to Iran supreme leader compares control of Hormuz to 'atomic bomb', says won't relinquish it

An adviser to Iran's supreme leader compared control over the Strait of Hormuz to having an "atomic bomb" on Friday, and vowed not to relinquish it.

Adviser Mohammad Mokhber said Iran had long "neglected" its privileged position along the strait, a vital conduit for oil and gas shipments that Tehran shut early in the Middle East war.

"The Strait of Hormuz represents an opportunity as precious as an atomic bomb," he said in a video published by the Mehr news agency. (AFP)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Qatar PM in Washington to meet Vance on Iran

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US expects Iranian response to peace proposal on May 8, clashes flare in Gulf amid truce

President Donald Trump said on May 7 a ceasefire was still ⁠holding despite the flare-ups.

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Iran, US-Israel War Updates | UAE Expels Pakistani Workers, as Pakistan’s Peacemaking Creates a Rift

Pakistan has been trying to help end the war in Iran, but that effort is now creating problems with one of its longtime partners, the United Arab Emirates.

The rich Persian Gulf country has started a large-scale expulsion of Pakistani workers, threatening to cut off a vital source of jobs for Pakistan.

The UAE appears to be upset that Pakistan has not condemned Iranian strikes on the UAE more forcefully while it is trying to broker a peace deal between the United States and Iran. The UAE has borne the brunt of those attacks and has been hit by thousands of Iranian missiles and drones strikes.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Russia's Lavrov tells UAE counterpart of need to support US-Iran talks

​Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his ⁠United Arab Emirates ⁠counterpart on ‌Friday that U.S.-Iran ​talks needed to be supported to prevent ​a resumption of ⁠hostilities in the Middle East. "The Russian side ⁠emphasised ‌the need to focus on ‌supporting the ongoing ⁠negotiations between Iran and the ‌USA," ‌a foreign ministry statement ‌said of ‌Lavrov's telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah ⁠bin ⁠Zayed Al Nahyan.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US imposes sanctions on 10 individuals, companies for aiding Iran's weapons sector

The U.S. Treasury on Friday announced sanctions against 10 individuals and ⁠companies, including several in China and Hong ⁠Kong, for aiding efforts ‌by Iran's military to ​secure weapons and raw materials used to build Tehran's Shahed drones. The Treasury move, first reported by Reuters, comes days ​before U.S. President ⁠Donald Trump plans to travel to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping and as efforts ⁠to end ‌the war with Iran have stalled.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Trump says expecting Iran response to latest proposal 'tonight'

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was expecting Iran's response to Washington's latest proposal on a deal to ending the Middle East war by "tonight."

"I'm getting a letter supposedly tonight, so we'll see how that goes," Trump told reporters outside the White House.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Lebanese news agency reports at least 31 killed in Lebanon today, reports Al Jazeera

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US military says it killed 2 in strike on alleged drug-trafficking boat

The U.S. military on Friday said ⁠it struck a vessel in ⁠the Eastern ‌Pacific, killing two ​people and leaving one survivor in the latest attack on boats suspected ​of transporting ⁠narcotics.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US, Iran no closer to ending war as Gulf clashes flare

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Bahrain says it has arrested 41 people 'linked to Iran's IRGC'

Bahrain’s ⁠interior ⁠ministry said ‌on ​Saturday it ​had ⁠arrested 41 people ⁠it ‌said were ‌linked to ⁠Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, ‌the ‌state ‌news ‌agency reported.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Lebanon reports Israeli strikes on south after evacuation warning

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Lebanon says at least one killed in Israel strikes on south

Lebanon said at least one person was killed in Israeli strikes on the country's south on Saturday despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah, after Israel's army issued an evacuation warning to several villages.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Lebanese state media reports new strike outside Beirut

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Hezbollah says targeted troops in northern Israel with drone

Hezbollah on Saturday said it targeted northern Israel with a drone in response to repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite an ongoing truce between the two sides.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Lebanon says Israeli strike on south kills seven including girl amid ceasefire

Lebanon's health ministry said an Israeli strike on the southern town of Saksakiyeh killed at least seven people, including a girl, in the latest attack during a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Lebanon says Israel kills 8 in south, strikes reported outside Beirut

Authorities reported eight people killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, with more raids targeting a highway south of Beirut outside Hezbollah's traditional strongholds and far from the centre of ongoing fighting.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Israeli drone strikes near Beirut kill 4, southern airstrikes kill at least 13

Three Israeli drone strikes on vehicles just south of Beirut on Saturday killed four people while a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 13, including a man and his 12-year-old daughter, state media and the Health Ministry said.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran ceasefire appears to hold, Bahrain detains dozens over suspected Revolutionary Guard links

A tenuous ceasefire appeared to be holding Saturday after the United States struck two Iranian oil tankers, while the country that hosts the US Navy's regional headquarters said it arrested dozens of people it alleged were linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Qatari LNG tanker sailing towards Hormuz Strait, shipping data shows

Qatari LNG tanker Al Kharaitiyat was sailing towards ⁠the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after ⁠departing Qatar's Ras Laffan en ‌route to Port ​Qasim in Pakistan, according to LSEG shipping data.

A successful passage would mark the first transit by a Qatari LNG tanker ​through the strait ⁠since the start of the war on Iran. There was no immediate comment from QatarEnergy.

The vessel, managed by ⁠Nakilat ‌Shipping Qatar Ltd and sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, has ‌a cargo capacity of 211,986 cubic metres, ⁠according to LSEG data.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Putin says he hopes the Iran conflict will end soon

Russian ⁠President Vladimir Putin ⁠said ‌on ​Saturday that he ​hoped ⁠that the Iran ⁠conflict would ‌end as ‌soon ⁠as possible but ‌that ‌if ‌it ‌did not ⁠then everyone ⁠would lose out.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Israeli strike kills seven in south Lebanon, Lebanese health ministry says

An ​Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese town of Saksakiyeh killed at least seven people, including a ⁠child, and wounded 15 on Saturday, Lebanon's health ⁠ministry said.

The Israeli military said ‌it had ​struck Hezbollah militants in the town, accusing them of planning attacks against Israeli soldiers.

"The IDF is aware of reports regarding harm ​to uninvolved civilians ⁠in the structure in which the terrorists were struck. The details of the incident are under review," the ⁠military ‌said in a statement.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran threatens US sites if its tankers are attacked: Iranian media

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US, Iran no closer to ending war as Qatari tanker sails toward Strait of Hormuz

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Rubio meets Qatari PM as US awaits Iranian response

Top US diplomat Marco Rubio met Saturday with the leader of Mideast ally Qatar, the State Department said, highlighting the Gulf state's role as a key intermediary for Washington as it awaited Tehran's response on a peace proposal.

"The Secretary expressed appreciation for Qatar's partnership on a range of issues," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement on the meeting between Rubio and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also Qatar's foreign minister.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Fearing return to war, Iran conservationists shore up damaged heritage sites

As fears of renewed conflict hang over Iran, conservationists are shoring up battered historic sites and taking stock of the damage caused by the war with the United States and Israel, though experts warn some repairs could take years, reports AFP.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | States complying with US sanctions will face Gulf transit difficulties, Iranian army says

Vessels from countries ⁠that comply with U.S. ⁠sanctions ‌against Iran ​will, from now, face difficulties crossing ​the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, Iranian Army Spokesperson Mohammad ⁠Akraminia ‌said on Sunday according ‌to semi-official ⁠Tasnim news agency.

Iranian lawmakers ‌have ‌said they are ‌drafting ‌a bill to formalise Iran's management ⁠of ⁠the Strait of Hormuz, with clauses including forbidding passage ​to vessels of "hostile states."

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | British military says ship caught fire after being hit off coast of Qatar

The British military said a ship caught fire Sunday after being hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Qatar, reported Associated Press.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said the attack caused a small fire on the bulk carrier, which was extinguished.

The attack happened 23 nautical miles (43 km) northeast of Qatar's capital, Doha, the UKMTO said.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Markets to track West Asia situation, crude oil prices this week: Analysts

Stock markets are expected to remain sensitive to geopolitical developments this week, with investor attention firmly focused on events surrounding the ongoing US–Iran situation and crude oil prices, analysts said.

Besides, the rupee-dollar trend and trading activity of foreign investors would influence trading in the markets, they noted.

"Markets this week are expected to remain highly volatile and largely driven by geopolitical headlines, with investor attention firmly focused on developments surrounding the ongoing US–Iran situation," Ponmudi R, CEO - Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

(PTI)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | World deprived of 1 billion barrels of oil over past two months, Aramco CEO says

The world has been ⁠deprived of about ⁠1 billion ‌barrels of ​oil over the past two months ​and ⁠even if energy flows resume it will ⁠take ‌time for the system ‌to return to ⁠normal, the chief executive ‌of ‌Saudi oil giant ‌said ‌on Sunday.

"Our objective is simple: keep energy ⁠flowing, ⁠even when the system is under strain," Amin Nasser told ​Reuters in ​a statement.

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Oil giant Saudi Aramco says quarterly profits up as crude prices surge

Saudi oil giant Aramco said Sunday its net profit rose by 25.5 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, after the Middle East war sent oil and gas prices soaring, reports AFP.

The result comes as uncertainty plagues global markets over the conflict's trajectory, with Iran restricting the passage of hydrocarbons through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Aramco CEO warns 1 billion barrels lost will slow oil market recovery

The world has lost ‌about 1 billion barrels ​of oil over the past two months and energy markets will take time to stabilise even if flows resume, Saudi Aramco’s CEO said ​on Sunday, as ⁠shipping disruptions choke traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Our objective is simple: keep energy flowing, even when the system is under ⁠strain," Amin ‌Nasser told Reuters in a statement after Aramco reported a 25% jump ‌in net profit in its first-quarter.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran army says countries siding with US to 'face difficulties' in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's army warned on Sunday that countries complying with US sanctions against the Islamic republic would face difficulties crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Early this month the US government imposed new sanctions on Iranian interests and warned ships against paying authorities in Tehran to pass through the strait.

The United States and Bahrain have drafted a UN resolution, seen by AFP, calling on Iran to halt restrictions on shipping through the waterway, which has become a major flashpoint since the outbreak of war on February 28.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Kuwait military says hostile drones detected in airspace

Kuwait's armed ⁠forces ‌detected several ​hostile drones ​in ⁠Kuwaiti airspace early ⁠on ‌Sunday ‌and responded ⁠according to established ‌procedures, ‌defense ‌ministry spokesperson ‌Colonel Saud ⁠Abdulaziz ⁠Al-Atwan said.

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Massive explosion rocks Iran’s southeastern city of Chabahar

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US, Iran nowhere close to peace as Qatari tanker heads for Strait of Hormuz

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues 'new guiding measures', brief military chief

The head of Iran’s unified armed forces command, Ali Abdollahi, met Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and received “new guiding measures” aimed at continuing military operations and confronting adversaries, according to semi-official Fars News Agency on Sunday.

The report said Abdollahi, who leads the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, briefed Khamenei on the preparedness and operational readiness of Iran’s armed forces. However, the agency did not specify when the meeting took place.

“The armed forces are ready to confront any action by the American-Zionist enemies,” Abdollahi reportedly said.

“In case of any error by the enemy, Iran’s response will be swift, severe, and decisive,” he added.

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | South Korean ship hit by unidentified object in Strait of Hormuz

The stern of the South Korean bulk carrier HMM Namu was hit by an unidentified object in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4, Seoul said after an on-site inspection.

The vessel had earlier caught fire near the UAE, with Donald Trump alleging an Iranian attack, a claim denied by Tehran.

No injuries were reported, and investigators are now analysing debris from the site.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Qatar warns Tehran against using Strait of Hormuz as ‘pressure tool’

Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned Iran against using the Strait of Hormuz as a “pressure tool”, saying such a move would only worsen the ongoing Gulf crisis.

During a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, he also urged all sides involved in the conflict to support mediation efforts aimed at ending the war.

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran sends response to US war proposal via Pakistan

Iran has sent its response to the latest US proposal aimed at ending the regional war through Pakistani mediators, Iranian state media reported on Sunday.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran sent today through Pakistani mediators its response to the latest text proposed by the United States to end the war,” the official IRNA news agency said, without sharing further details.

(AFP)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran denies oil leak reports near key Kharg Island export hub

Iran’s Oil Terminals Company on Sunday rejected reports of an oil leak near Kharg Island after satellite images appeared to show a large slick near the country’s main oil export hub.

Officials said inspections of storage tanks, pipelines, loading facilities and tankers found no evidence of leakage, while regional marine pollution authorities also reported no signs of an oil spill.

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran's response to US proposal focuses on 'ending war, securing Hormuz'

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran war 'not over' until uranium is not 'taken out': Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war involving Iran cannot be considered over until Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile is removed and its nuclear facilities are dismantled.

“It’s not over, because there’s still nuclear material — enriched uranium — that has to be taken out of Iran. There’s still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled,” Netanyahu said in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes”.

When asked how the uranium could be removed, Netanyahu replied, “You go in and you take it out.”

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Emmanuel Macron says France ‘never envisaged’ Hormuz naval deployment

Emmanuel Macron on Sunday clarified that France had “never envisaged” deploying naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, stressing instead that Paris was focused on a coordinated maritime security mission aimed at restoring safe passage through the strategic waterway amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Macron said France opposed any blockade in the region and sought to ensure uninterrupted maritime traffic through the strait, a crucial route for global oil shipments.

“There was never any question of a deployment but we are ready,” Macron said, days after Iran warned of a “decisive and immediate response” to any French or British military presence in the area.

(AFP)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Trump warns Iran 'will be laughing no longer' amid negotiations

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Trump expected to 'apply pressure' on Xi over Iran: US official

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Trump calls Iran's response to latest US ceasefire proposal 'totally unacceptable' but gives no details, reports AP

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran proposal calls for end of war and lifting of sanctions, news agency reports

An Iranian proposal sent to the ⁠United States through mediator Pakistan ⁠stresses the need for ‌an end ​to the war on all fronts and the lifting of sanctions on ​Tehran, Iran's ⁠semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Sunday, citing an informed source.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Oil jumps as US and Iran disagree on peace proposal

Oil prices ‌jumped $3 a barrel on Monday ​as the United States and Iran failed to agree to a peace proposal drafted by Washington while the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed, keeping global energy supplies tight.

Brent crude futures climbed $3.18 or ​3.14% to $104.47 a barrel ⁠by 2336 GMT, extending a 1.23% gain on Friday.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $98.51 a barrel, up $3.09, or 3.24%, after settling 0.64% higher in the previous session

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Two more crude oil tankers exit Strait of Hormuz with trackers switched off, data shows

Two more tankers laden with crude exited the Strait of Hormuz last week with trackers switched ⁠off to avoid Iranian attacks, Kpler shipping ⁠data showed, underscoring a rising ‌trend to sustain ​Middle East oil exports.

The very large crude carrier (VLCC) Basrah Energy loaded 2 million barrels of Upper Zakum crude from Abu Dhabi ​National Oil Co's (ADNOC's) Zirku ⁠terminal on May 1 and exited the Strait of Hormuz on May 6, the data showed on Monday.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran has rejected the US plan, which would have meant Tehran’s submission to Trump’s excessive demands -Press TV

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Trump's reaction to Iran's response 'does not matter at all' - Iran's Tasnim, citing source

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran executes man accused of cooperating with Israeli and US Intelligence services: Mizan

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | VLCC tanker bound for Vietnam, loaded with Iraqi crude crossed Strait of Hormuz through Iran's designated route on Sunday: Tasnim

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran's proposal to the US 'was not excessive': Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Baghaei says Iran's proposal to the US 'was not excessive', US continues to have 'unreasonable demands'

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran says demanded end to war, release of assets in its response to US

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday it had called for an end to the war across the region and the release of frozen assets abroad in its response to the latest US proposal.

"We did not demand any concessions. The only thing we demanded was Iran's legitimate rights," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

He said Iran's demands included "an end to the war in the region", ending the US naval blockade, and the "release of assets belonging to the Iranian people, which have for years been unjustly trapped in foreign banks".

(AP)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Japan to receive first Central Asian crude oil since Iran war started

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Israel says soldier killed near border with Lebanon

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Turkey foreign minister to visit Qatar for talks over navigational safety in Strait of Hormuz tomorrow

Turkish Foreign ​Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to visit Qatar on Tuesday for talks on the US-Iran war. Fidan will be discussing the impact of war on the Gulf ⁠and efforts to ensure navigational safety in the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, a Turkish diplomatic source ‌said on Monday.

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iron Dome '99% effective’ against Hamas, Hezbollah attacks, says maker Rafael

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Second Qatar LNG tanker is passing through Hormuz to Pakistan

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Israel central bank in ‘no hurry’ to intervene despite shekel hitting 1993 high

Israel’s central bank is not in a hurry to intervene in the foreign exchange market despite the shekel strengthening to its highest level against the dollar in more than three decades, Deputy Governor Andrew Abir said on Monday.

Abir said the strong shekel was helping keep inflation under control, though he cautioned that financial markets may be overly optimistic about the geopolitical situation.

The dollar-shekel exchange rate is currently hovering around 2.90, its lowest level since 1993.

Abir said foreign exchange intervention remained an option for the Bank of Israel, but only under exceptional circumstances. “Intervention is part of our tool box and has been relevant under certain circumstances,” he said, referring to periods when inflation was below the current annual rate of 2%.

“It still remains a tool that we could, if we need to, use with its circumstances justified,” Abir added.

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | 'Continuously working to make India a major participant in global supply chains': PM Modi

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | PM Modi asks Indians to reduce use of imports, avoid personal activities that involve spending foreign currency

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Millions could face hunger if Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, warns UN

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | 'Lunatics' want to fight till the end: Trump on Iran

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US issues alert to banks on IRGC efforts to evade sanctions

 The United ​States on Monday issued an alert to financial institutions warning of efforts by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard ⁠Corps' to evade U.S. sanctions, as concerns mount of ⁠a resumption of hostilities in the ‌conflict with Iran.

The ​U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) said it issued the alert to assist financial institutions in identifying those funding and facilitating procurement ​networks supporting the ⁠IRGC.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Parliament speaker says Iran ready to 'teach a lesson' if attacked

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US issues new Iran-related sanctions, Treasury website shows

The ⁠United States ⁠on Monday ‌issued ​fresh Iran-related sanctions ​targeting ⁠three people and nine entities, ⁠including ‌four entities ‌based ⁠in Hong Kong, according ‌to ‌a ‌posting ‌on the U.S. ⁠Treasury ⁠Department's website. 

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US sanctions 12 Iran-linked individuals, entities over China oil sales, reports AFP

The United States on Monday issued sanctions against 12 individuals and entities that it said facilitated the sale and shipment of Iranian oil to China, days ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing.

In a statement, the US Treasury alleged that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) "relies on front companies in permissive economic jurisdictions to obfuscate its role in oil sales and funnel the revenue to the Iranian regime."

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran's Parliament Speaker on X: There Is No Alternative but to Accept the Rights of the Iranian People as Laid Out in the 14-Point Proposal

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | UAE has been secretly carrying out attacks on Iran, WSJ reports

The United Arab Emirates has ⁠carried out military strikes ⁠on Iran, ‌the ​Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing ​people familiar ⁠with the matter.

The strikes, which the ⁠UAE ‌has not publicly acknowledged, included ‌an attack ⁠on a refinery on ‌Iran's ‌Lavan Island in ‌the Persian ‌Gulf, WSJ said, adding that the ⁠attack ⁠took place in early April.

Reuters could not immediately verify the ​report. 

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Pakistan parked Iranian planes on its airbases to escape US airstrikes: report

Pakistan, which is playing mediator to end the US-Iran war, allowed Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields to shield them from American airstrikes, CBS News reported here quoting US officials.

The report also claimed that Iran had also parked its civilian aircraft in neighbouring Afghanistan to protect it from US airstrikes.

Reacting to the report, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called for a complete re-evaluation of Pakistan's role as a mediator to end the US-Iran war that broke out on February 28 and has been put on pause since April 8.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Oil prices rise as fragile US-Iran talks sustain supply worries

Oil prices rose in early Asian trade on Tuesday as ⁠negotiations to end the war between the United States and Iran appeared fragile, with Tehran’s ⁠response to a U.S. proposal highlighting stark differences that kept supply concerns ‌alive.

Brent crude futures were up 30 ​cents, or 0.29%, at $104.51 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 31 cents, or 0.32%, to $98.38 by 0002 GMT. Both benchmarks increased nearly 2.8% on Monday.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Peace deal hopes fade after Trump rejects 'garbage' Iran proposal

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Israeli strikes kill six in south Lebanon, report state media

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran executes man linked to Baloch militant group: Tasnim

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Russia, Ukraine resume strikes as truce expires, one dead: authorities

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran could enrich uranium to weapons-grade if attacked again, lawmaker warns

Iran could enrich ⁠uranium up to 90 per cent ⁠purity, ‌a level ​considered weapons-grade, if the country is ​attacked ⁠once more, parliamentary national security and foreign ⁠policy ‌commission spokesperson Ebrahim ‌Rezaei said ⁠on Tuesday.

"One of Iran's options ‌in ‌the event ‌of ‌another attack could be 90 percent ⁠enrichment. ⁠We will review it in the parliament," Rezaei posted on ​X.

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Pakistan to increase oil imports from Russia amid Hormuz crisis, TASS cites ambassador

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Finger on trigger but focus remains sustainable peace, says Iran's govt spokesperson Mohajerani

Iran's government spokesperson Mohajerani says Tehran keeps its finger on the trigger but its focus remains sustainable peace and interests-based diplomacy: SNN

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Evolving drone war in southern Lebanon clouds Iran peace prospects

While Washington and Tehran argue over a deal to end the attacks on shipping that are shaking the world economy, Iran's most powerful ally Hezbollah and Israel are stepping up a drone war in Lebanon - on camera - that is complicating the path to peace.

In recent weeks, Hezbollah has used cheap, easy-to-assemble First Person View kamikaze drones to transform the war it has been fighting since it began firing on Israel on March 2, days after the US-Israeli forces began their attacks on Iran.

(Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US envoy says Israel sent Iron Dome battery, personnel to UAE

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Four infiltrators affiliated to Iran's IRGC arrested after trying to enter Kuwait by sea

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | US war in Iran has cost $29 billion: Pentagon

The United States' ⁠war in Iran has ⁠cost $29 ‌billion so ​far, a senior Pentagon official said, ⁠an increase of $4 billion from ⁠an ‌estimate provided late last month. (Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Two Lebanese civil defence workers killed in Israeli strike on Nabatieh

Two Lebanese ⁠civil defence ⁠members were ‌killed ​in an Israeli ​strike ⁠on the southern town ⁠of Nabatieh ‌on Tuesday ‌while ⁠carrying out a ‌rescue ‌mission ‌after ‌an earlier attack. (Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Hezbollah leader urges Lebanon to quit direct Israel talks

The leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group called on the government Tuesday to withdraw from direct talks with Israel, calling them a concession and urging "indirect negotiations".

Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to hold two days of talks in Washington starting Thursday in an attempt to end the latest fighting that broke out two months ago, following the Iran war, and discuss the future of relations between the two sides that have been at war since Israel was created in 1948.

Naim Kassem said in a letter directed to the group's officials that direct negotiations benefit Israel and that they are "concessions by Lebanese authorities". (AP)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Pakistan, China discuss Iran-US tensions ahead of Trump's China visit

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his ⁠Chinese counterpart Wang ⁠Yi discussed ‌regional developments and ​Islamabad's ongoing efforts to mediate an end to ​the ⁠Iran conflict.

The phone call came ahead of ⁠planned ⁠talks in Beijing later this week between US President Donald Trump and ​Chinese leader Xi Jinping. (Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran official says Tehran receives first revenue from Strait of Hormuz tolls

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | 'Their military is wiped out': Trump on Iran

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Saudi Arabia launched covert attacks on Iran, sources reveal

Saudi Arabia launched numerous, unpublicized strikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks carried out in the kingdom during the Middle East war, two Western officials briefed on the matter and two Iranian officials said.

Read more

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Iran condemns Kuwait's arrest of four Iranians, rejects allegations of hostile plot

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Kuwait says four people affiliated with Iran's IRGC arrested trying to enter by sea (Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Israel reports launch of 'several' rockets by Hezbollah in south Lebanon

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Kuwait accuses Iran of trying to infiltrate its territory, reports New York Times

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Vietnam state oil company urges US Navy to allow tanker through blockade (Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Stopping Iran's nuclear program outweighs Americans' economic pain: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said ​on Tuesday that Americans’ financial struggles are not a factor in his decision-making as he seeks to negotiate an end to the Iran war, saying that preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is ⁠his top priority.

Asked by a reporter to what extent Americans’ financial situations were motivating him ⁠to strike a deal, Trump said: “Not even a little bit.”

"The ‌only thing that matters, when ​I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon," Trump said before departing the White House for a trip to China. "I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a ​nuclear weapon. That’s all. That's the ⁠only thing that motivates me."

Trump's remarks are likely to draw scrutiny from critics who argue the administration should balance geopolitical objectives with the economic impact on Americans, particularly as cost-of-living concerns remain a top issue for voters ahead of the ⁠November midterm elections. (Reuters)

Iran, US-Israel War Updates | Oil prices slip on teetering Iran ceasefire as Trump heads to China

Oil prices fell on Wednesday after rising in three consecutive sessions, as investors awaited developments around the fragile ceasefire in the Iran war ⁠and U.S. President Donald Trump headed to China for a high stakes summit with President Xi Jinping.

Brent ⁠crude futures lost 82 cents, or 0.76%, to trade at $106.95 a barrel ‌at 0051 GMT, and U.S. ​West Texas Intermediate futures fell 66 cents, or 0.65%, to $101.52.

Both benchmarks have largely hovered around or above the $100 per barrel mark since the U.S. and Israel began attacks on Iran at the end of February and Tehran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices rose by over 3% ​on Tuesday, extending earlier gains as ⁠hopes for the lasting U.S.-Iran ceasefire faded, dimming prospects of re-opening the strait, through which about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally flows.

Trump said on Tuesday he does not think he will need China's help to end the ⁠war with Iran, ‌even as hopes for a lasting peace deal dwindled and Tehran tightened its grip over the strait. (Reuters)