Key Updates

• Watch | Trump vs Iran 2026: Naval blockade sparks global concern
• U.S. President Donald Trump defends Iran blockade at White House amid tensions

• April 15, 2026 05:49

  U.S. destroyer interdicts two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran, official says

  A U.S. destroyer interdicted two oil tankers attempting ‌to leave Iran on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), a day after U.S. President Donald Trump’s blockade went into effect, and instructed them to turn around, a U.S. official said, speaking ⁠on condition of anonymity.

  The ships had left Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman and were contacted by the warship via radio communication, the official said. It was unclear whether any further warnings were given.

  The disclosure ‌adds further detail to the start of Mr. Trump’s blockade, which aims to pressure Iran to end its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point ‌for about 20% of the world’s oil.

  - Reuters

• April 15, 2026 05:00

  Vice President Vance says U.S.-Iran mistrust cannot be solved overnight

  U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) there ‌was a lot of mistrust between Washington and Tehran that cannot ⁠be resolved overnight but he added that Iranian negotiators wanted to make a deal ‌and that he felt “very good about where we are.”

  Talks to ‌end the Iran war could ‌resume ⁠in Pakistan over the next two ⁠days, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), after the collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington to impose a ‌blockade on Iranian ports.

  A fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran still has a week to run. ‌Vance was involved in the talks last weekend in Pakistan.

  “There is a lot of, of ⁠course, mistrust between Iran and the United States of America. You are not ‌going to solve that problem overnight,” Mr. Vance said during a Turning Point USA event.

  Iranian negotiators wanted to make a deal, he said. “I feel very good about where we are,” ‌Mr. Vance added.

  - Reuters

• April 15, 2026 03:44

  Treasury chief says US growth may exceed 3% or 3.5% this year despite Iran war

  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on ‌Tuesday (April 14, 2026) the underlying U.S. ⁠economy remained strong and that growth could ‌still exceed 3% or ‌3.5% this year ‌despite ⁠the impact ⁠of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. He also commented ‌on U.S. tariffs on other nations, saying they could ‌be back in place to previous levels ⁠by July after the Supreme Court ‌ruled in February that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority in ‌imposing sweeping global duties under an emergency law.

  Mr. Bessent’s comments ⁠came during the ⁠WSJ Opinion Live event ‌in Washington.

  - AFP

• April 15, 2026 02:35

  IMF chief says rapid economic recovery still possible if war ends soon

  The global economy can still ‌recover rapidly from the ⁠shock of the West Asia war ‌if the conflict ends ‌in the ‌next ⁠weeks, but ⁠the situation will be worse if it drags ‌through the summer, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva ‌said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026).

  Georgieva told an event ⁠hosted by the Bretton Woods Committee ‌nonprofit group, that the International Monetary Fund was in talks with ‌countries hit hard by higher energy prices ⁠and supply chain disruptions ⁠to discuss their ‌financial needs.

  - AFP

• April 15, 2026 02:27

  Israeli NGO files ICC suit against Spain PM over Iran exports

  An Israeli advocacy NGO said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) that it had asked the International Criminal Court to consider legal action against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for allegedly “aiding war crimes” through exports to Iran.

  The complaint comes in the midst of an escalating diplomatic spat between the two nations, which began with the start of the Gaza war in October 2023 and worsened after Madrid recognised a Palestinian state a year later.

  Filed by Shurat HaDin, which has taken legal action worldwide against what it calls “Israel’s enemies”, the lawsuit accuses Spain of providing “components required by the regime in Tehran and its proxies for military purposes”.

  - AFP

• April 15, 2026 02:25

  Drone strike hits Iranian Kurds, one killed: exiled group

  A drone struck an Iranian Kurdish group on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), killing a woman in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region, a party official told AFP.

  It was the first such attack against Iranian Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan since a fragile ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran took effect in the region last week.

  Commander Mohammed Hakimi from the exiled Komala party blamed the attack on “Iran and its affiliated militias”.

  - AFP

• April 15, 2026 02:21

  IMF, World Bank and IEA aim to have calls every two weeks to assess war's impact

  The International Monetary Fund, World ‌Bank and International Energy Agency ⁠are looking at having regular calls every ‌two weeks to discuss ‌the disruption of ‌global ⁠energy markets ⁠caused by the war in West Asia, ‌IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026).

  Georgieva, speaking ‌on the sidelines of the spring meetings of ⁠the IMF and World Bank ‌in Washington this week, urged countries to avoid building up their ‌own oil reserves and blocking exports of petroleum products. “Don’t ⁠make the supply shocks ⁠worse,” she said.

  - Reuters

• April 15, 2026 01:13

  U.S. Treasury says not renewing temporary easing of Iran oil sanctions

  The U.S. Treasury Department said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) it does not plan to renew a temporary easing of sanctions on some Iranian oil, set to expire in a matter of days.

  “The short-term authorization permitting the sale of Iranian oil already stranded at sea is set to expire in a few days and will not be renewed,” the Treasury Department said in a statement.

  - AFP

• April 15, 2026 01:12

  Israel, Lebanon agree to direct negotiations after 'productive' talks: U.S. statement

  Israel and Lebanon agreed to hold direct negotiations after “productive discussions” between the two sides in Washington, the United States said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026).

  “The participants held productive discussions on steps toward launching direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement, adding: “All sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue.”

  - AFP

• April 15, 2026 01:10

  Europe drafts postwar plan to free up Hormuz without U.S.: Reports

  European countries ‌are putting together a ⁠post-war plan for a ‌broad coalition ‌of ‌countries, excluding ⁠the ⁠United States, to help ‌free up shipping through the Strait ‌of Hormuz, the Wall ⁠Street Journal reported ‌on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), citing officials.

  Reuters could not ‌immediately verify the report.

  - Reuters

• April 15, 2026 01:07

  Lebanon's U.S. envoy says called for ceasefire at 'constructive' Israel talks

  Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad called for a ceasefire during “constructive” talks on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) with Israeli officials in Washington, she said in a statement.

  The “preparatory meeting was constructive”, the envoy’s statement said, adding that she “called for a ceasefire” and the return of displaced people to their homes, and also emphasised “the full sovereignty of the state” over all Lebanese territory.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 21:21

  Citadel's Ken Griffin says Iran war threatens global recession

  Billionaire investor Ken Griffin warned on Tuesday ‌that the world could face a ⁠global recession if the Strait of Hormuz remains ‌closed for a prolonged period due ‌to war ‌in West Asia.

  “This ⁠really is a very, very treacherous moment for the world ‌economy,” the Citadel CEO said at the Semafor World Economy ‌Forum. “From a macroeconomic perspective around the world, the key criterion ⁠is the resumption of the continued ‌flow of energy products from West Asia without tolls, without harassment,” he said.

  “If it remains shut down ‌for all intents and purposes...for the next six to 12 ⁠months, the world’s going ⁠to end up in a recession,” ‌he added.

  - Reuters

• April 14, 2026 21:19

  Trump says Italy's Meloni lacks 'courage' on Iran war: report

  U.S. President Donald Trump criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her unwillingness to help in the Iran war, in an interview published on Tuesday.

  “I’m shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong,” he said of his political ally in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

  Ms. Meloni, Italy’s far-right leader since October 2022, has been one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe and often seeks to act as a mediator between diverging U.S. and European views.

  Mr. Trump said she did not want Italy to be involved in the war, which began with Israeli-U.S. attacks on Iran, even though it gets much of its oil from the region.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 21:17

  17 nations urge Israel, Lebanon to seize talks 'opportunity'

  Foreign ministers from 17 countries, including the U.K., urged Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday to “seize this opportunity” ahead of talks between the two nations in Washington.

  Britain’s Foreign Ministry posted the ministers’ joint statement saying “direct negotiations can pave the way to bring lasting security for Lebanon and Israel as well as the region”.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 21:17

  IMF warns West Asia war driving up financial stability risks

  The war in West Asia is elevating global financial ‌stability risks through inflationary pressures that could cause funding markets to tighten, potentially straining non-banks, private credit and artificial intelligence borrowers, the International Monetary Fund warned on Tuesday. In its semiannual ⁠Global Financial Stability Report, the IMF warned that since February, global equity prices have declined 8% while sovereign bond yields have risen sharply, driven by a jump in energy prices and market expectations of higher inflation. The war, which led Iran ‌to shut the Strait of Hormuz, has sent oil prices spiking.

  Bond market volatility has also been spurred by rising debt-to-GDP levels and the greater issuance of short-term securities, which are ‌more vulnerable to rollover risks during rising inflation. That could lead funding markets to tighten, which ‌has ⁠spurred broader turmoil in the past, the IMF said.

  - Reuters

• April 14, 2026 21:15

  U.S.-Kuwaiti journalist detained amid Gulf crackdown on war footage: watchdog

  An American-Kuwaiti journalist has been detained for weeks and charged in Kuwait, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Tuesday, as Gulf countries crack down on people sharing footage documenting the U.S.-Iran war.

  Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a journalist who has contributed to The New York Times, PBS, and Al Jazeera English, has not posted online or been seen in Kuwait since March 2, the press freedom watchdog said.

  Hundreds of people have been arrested across the Gulf as states seek to limit the spread of footage showing the effects of Iran’s attacks, including any damage or interceptions.

  Journalists have also faced increased scrutiny for taking such footage and have, in some countries, been barred from taking shots of war damage or sensitive sites.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 21:13

  Red Cross makes first aid shipments into Iran since start of war

  The international Red Cross movement said on Tuesday that a shipment of life-saving medical supplies and other aid had crossed the border into Iran, its first since the start of the war.

  The shipment of medical supplies and other aid entered the country on Sunday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said.

  The truck convoy, which set off from the Turkish capital Ankara on Friday, marked “one of the first cross-border shipments of medical supplies” by any organisation since the conflict began with a barrage of Israeli and US strikes on Iran on February 28, IFRC spokesman Tommaso Della Longa told reporters in Geneva.

  He said the IFRC had sent trauma kits, “designed to provide immediate, life-saving care”.

  “The operation is critical as humanitarian supply chains into Iran have been severely disrupted in recent weeks due to the conflict, making it increasingly difficult and more costly for essential medical and relief items to reach those in need,” he said.

  Della Longa said the IFRC aimed to bring in more trauma kits “in the next three weeks”.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 21:11

  Russian nuclear chief says 20 personnel remain at Bushehr plant in Iran

  The head of the Russian State nuclear corporation Rosatom ‌said on Tuesday that only 20 of ⁠its staff remained at the Bushehr nuclear power plant ‌in Iran, a day after the company ‌said it ‌had ⁠started a final ⁠stage of evacuations.

  Rosatom, which is building two new units at ‌the site, has pulled out hundreds of staff since the United States ‌and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28.

  Its ⁠head, Alexei Likhachev, said Rosatom must ‌be “as ready as possible” to resume the construction of the second and third units when feasible, and this ‌remained a priority.

  Mr. Likhachev said the latest group of 108 evacuated ⁠staff were expected to cross ⁠from Iran into Armenia on ‌Tuesday night.

  - Reuters

• April 14, 2026 21:01

  Long Iran war may require painful central bank tightening: IMF chief economist

  Central banks may need to inflict much more economic pain ⁠to control inflation fueled by a long West Asia war than they did to control the spike in prices after the pandemic, the International ‌Monetary Fund’s chief economist said.

  When Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 drove oil prices above $100 a barrel, an already ‌overheated post-COVID economy meant small increases in interest rates went ‌a ⁠long way to cool demand, IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier ⁠Gourinchas said in an interview on Tuesday.

  But with much more slack in today’s economy, including a weaker labour market and ample supplies of most goods and services, much stronger monetary tightening may ‌be needed, particularly if inflation expectations become unanchored, Mr. Gourinchas said.

  “Stepping on the brakes will be painful” in such an environment, Mr. Gourinchas said as the IMF and World Bank spring meetings got underway ‌in Washington.

  - Reuters

• April 14, 2026 20:59

  Vessel reported exiting Strait of Hormuz amid U.S. blockade

  A tanker that aborted an attempt to exit the Strait of Hormuz on Monday turned around and transited the waterway early Tuesday, in one of the first tests of the U.S. blockade.

  The Rich Starry, a chemical and oil tanker, had been waiting off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to shipping data firm Lloyd’s List, which cited data from the energy cargo-tracking firm Vortexa.

  The U.S. military said on Monday that the blockade applied only to vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports, and it was not immediately clear whether the Rich Starry had earlier docked in Iran or was carrying Iranian oil. U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to questions about the vessel.

  - AP

• April 14, 2026 20:56

  Rise in global energy prices due to West Asia conflict impacts Singapore's port, industries: Report

  Singapore’s central bank on Tuesday warned that the West Asia conflict is impacting the city-state’s status as the world’s top refuelling port and industries due to shipping disruptions and a rise in global energy prices.

  The impact of conflict will ripple through the entire economy, reported the Straits Times, citing the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) report.

  Beyond transport operators, industries like construction, real estate, and Food and Beverage (F&B) are expected to face both direct and indirect cost increases, it said.

  The latest MAS macroeconomic review warns that a long-term energy disruption could hurt the labour market, which relies heavily on migrant workers, including those from India.

  This could lead to slower hiring and stagnant pay, alongside broader risks of higher inflation and weaker economic growth.

  Global oil and natural gas prices have surged since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched an air campaign against Iran.

  - PTI

• April 14, 2026 20:54

  China terms U.S. blockade of Strait of Hormuz 'dangerous and irresponsible' move

  China on Tuesday termed the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a “dangerous and irresponsible move” and asked Washington and Tehran to honour the ceasefire.

  Beijing also denied aiding Iran militarily and threatened to hit back if U.S. President Donald Trump hikes tariffs against China on the allegation of helping Tehran.

  Also, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in China for an official visit to discuss the U.S.-Iran conflict.

  His two-day visit comes in the immediate backdrop of President Trump’s announcement of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to cripple Iran’s oil supplies to China and other countries.

  - PTI

• April 14, 2026 20:22

  IMF cuts West Asia, North Africa growth forecast to 1.1% over Iran war

  The International Monetary Fund sharply reduced its 2026 growth forecast for West Asia and North Africa to 1.1% on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) as war chokes Gulf oil and gas exports.

  Iran, Iraq and Qatar will be particularly hard-hit, the IMF’s World Economic Outlook warned, as it revised down its January prediction of 3.9% regional growth this year.

  Growth should rebound next year, as long as energy production and transport are “normalised” over the next few months, the IMF predicted. The region’s economies grew 3.2% in 2025, it said.

  Read the story here

• April 14, 2026 20:03

  Aid groups use land routes to deliver humanitarian relief to Iran

  International humanitarian groups said on Tuesday ‌they had sent emergency relief through overland routes to Iran, some of their first deliveries of aid since U.S.-Israeli ⁠strikes began in late February. Aid workers say needs are high in the wake of six weeks of strikes, but stocks of emergency humanitarian supplies became stuck ‌in Dubai warehouses as shipping and air routes were blocked by the expanding conflict.

  Iranian authorities say more than ‌3,000 people have been killed in Iran during the war, and ‌the ⁠UN refugee agency says up to 3.2 million have ⁠been displaced.

  The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it had delivered some 200 trauma kits as well as tents and blankets on trucks sent along a new route from Turkiye.

  The ‌trucks crossed the Iranian border on Sunday and are set to arrive in the capital Tehran on Tuesday, said IFRC spokesperson Tommaso Della Longa.

  - Reuters

• April 14, 2026 20:02

  German Chancellor Merz says he supports talks between Israel and Lebanon

  German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he supports direct peace talks between the Israeli and Lebanese Governments, which are set to start on Tuesday in Washington.

  Mr. Merz called for an end to hostilities in southern Lebanon and said militant group Hezbollah must lay down its arms, the German chancellery said in a statement on Monday night.

  Mr. Merz reaffirmed his government’s strong support of a diplomatic understanding between the U.S. and Iran and its readiness to contribute to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz if the necessary conditions are met, his office said.

  Mr. Merz also expressed deep concern about developments in the Palestinian territories and said there must be no de facto partial annexation of the West Bank.

  - AP

• April 14, 2026 19:53

  U.K. Finance Minister slams Iran war 'folly'

  British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves on Tuesday hit out at the “folly” of U.S. President Donald Trump launching a war with Iran “without a clear exit plan”.

  The comments to the Daily Mirror newspaper came as Reeves prepared to head to Washington for an International Monetary Fund meeting set to detail the economic impact of the conflict.

  Ms. Reeves is one of several British Government Ministers, including the Premier Keir Starmer, to express growing exasperation at the actions of its close ally in West Asia.

  “This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want,” Ms. Reeves, who is struggling to fire up Britain’s anaemic economy, told the tabloid.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 19:51

  Israel says 10 soldiers wounded in fighting in key Lebanese town

  The Israeli military said Tuesday that overnight clashes between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah militants left 10 soldiers wounded in the strategically significant southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which Israeli forces have encircled.

  The escalation of fighting in the town comes as Israeli and Lebanese officials hold talks in Washington later on Tuesday to end the war.

  According to the military, Israeli troops have now fully surrounded the town, marking a notable advance in their ongoing ground offensive in southern Lebanon.

  Fighting in recent days has involved close-quarters, “face-to-face” engagements between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah fighters, the military said.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 19:50

  France's Macron calls for U.S., Iran ceasefire talks to resume

  French President Emmanuel Macron said ‌on Tuesday he had spoken ⁠with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and U.S. ‌President Donald Trump on ‌Monday and called ‌for ⁠talks to ⁠restart between Washington and Iran and for a halt ‌to any possible escalation.

  He added in a ‌post on the social media platform X that ⁠the Strait of Hormuz must be ‌reopened unconditionally as soon as possible.

  “Under these circumstances, negotiations should be able ‌to resume quickly, with the support of the ⁠key stakeholders,” he said. 

  - Reuters

• April 14, 2026 19:49

  Israeli FM says keen to reach 'peace and normalisation' with Lebanon

  Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said his country is seeking “peace and normalisation” with Lebanon, ahead of talks between officials from both nations in Washington on Tuesday.

  “We want to reach peace and normalisation with the state of Lebanon... Israel and Lebanon don’t have any major disputes between them. The problem is Hezbollah,” Mr. Saar said at a press conference with visiting Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka.

  Lebanon was pulled into the West Asia war after Hezbollah attacked Israel, sparking an Israeli ground invasion and airstrikes - including an extremely heavy attack on Beirut on April 8.

  The fighting has killed more than 2,000 people in Lebanon and displaced over one million.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 19:44

  Hormuz mission talks to focus on sanctions, seafarer releases, shipping readiness – source

  Diplomatic meetings led by France and Britain ‌this week to discuss a potential ⁠future multinational mission will be structured around a ‌series of working groups, ranging from ‌possible sanctions ‌on ⁠Iran to cooperation with ⁠industry to ensure maritime transit, a person familiar with the ‌matter said.

  According to the person, talks among senior diplomats ahead of ‌a meeting co-chaired by the British and French ⁠leaders on Friday will focus on upholding ‌freedom of navigation and maritime security, pursuing economic measures against Iran if the Strait of Hormuz ‌remains closed, securing the release of seafarers and stranded vessels, ⁠and working with industry ⁠to support readiness to resume transit ‌when conditions allow.

  - Reuters

• April 14, 2026 18:35

  Lebanese and Israeli envoys to meet as Israel presses war on Hezbollah

  Israeli and Lebanese envoys will meet in Washington on Tuesday as Israel presses its war on Hezbollah, a diplomatic milestone overshadowed by ‌conflicting agendas, with Israel ruling out a ceasefire and demanding that Beirut disarm the Iran-backed group.

  The meeting comes at a critical juncture in the crisis in West Asia, a ⁠week into a fragile ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran. The parallel war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has been a complicating factor in Pakistan’s mediation to end the wider conflict.

  U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is ‌set to attend the meeting between Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, and his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, at 11 a.m. (1500 GMT), a State Department official said.

  It marks ‌a rare encounter between representatives of governments that have remained technically in a state of war since ‌Israel ⁠was established in 1948.

  - Reuters

• April 14, 2026 18:29

  Two ships from Iran ports pass Hormuz Strait despite U.S. blockade: tracker

  At least two ships using Iranian ports passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday despite a U.S. military blockade, data from maritime tracking firm Kpler indicated on Tuesday.

  The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christianna transited the strategic strait after unloading corn at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, passing Iran’s Larak Island around 1600 GMT on Monday, Kpler said. Washington’s blockade came into effect two hours earlier.

  A second ship, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, was near Larak Island around 1100 GMT and cleared the strait about 1600 GMT, the data showed.

  - AFP

• April 14, 2026 16:40

  Italy suspends defence cooperation deal with Israel

  Italy’s government has decided to suspend ‌the automatic renewal of a defence cooperation deal with ⁠Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday, citing the conflicts in West Asia. Ms. Meloni’s right-wing government has been one of ‌Israel’s closest allies in Europe, ‌but ⁠in recent weeks, it ⁠has criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Those affected have included Italian troops serving there under a ‌U.N. mandate.

  “In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal ‌of the defence agreement with Israel,” Ms. Meloni was quoted as saying in Verona, northern Italy, ⁠by Italian news agencies.

  

  Italy suspends defence cooperation deal with Israel

  Italy suspends defense cooperation with Israel amid rising tensions in West Asia, affecting military training agreements.

• April 14, 2026 16:22

  Watch | Trump vs Iran 2026: Naval blockade sparks global concern

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• April 14, 2026 16:20

  Iraq says has 'understandings' to bypass Hormuz blockade

  Baghdad’s oil ministry said on Tuesday it has “understandings” with the United States and Iran to reduce the impact of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Iraqi oil exports.

  The ministry did not elaborate or say when these reported understandings were reached. But Iran announced earlier this month, before the fragile ceasefire was announced, that it would allow Iraqi shipping to transit the key waterway.

  -AFP

• April 14, 2026 15:45

  Russian, UAE foreign ministers discuss Gulf tensions, urge diplomacy

  Russian ‌Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held ⁠a phone call ‌with UAE ‌counterpart ‌Abdullah bin ⁠Zayed ⁠Al Nahyan on Tuesday, the ‌Russian Foreign Ministry said.

  The ministers ‌discussed the situation in the ⁠Persian Gulf following ‌U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad and ‌called for an immediate, permanent ceasefire ⁠and continued ⁠diplomatic efforts.

  -Reuters

• April 14, 2026 15:39

  France, U.K. to co-host Hormuz shipping security talks on Friday

  France and Britain will co-host a video conference on Friday (April 17) with countries ready to contribute to a “purely defensive mission” to secure the Strait of Hormuz, the French president’s office said on Tuesday.

  President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are to co-chair the meeting to discuss a plan to “restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when security conditions allow it”, it said.

  -AFP

• April 14, 2026 15:13

  Chinese President Xi calls to respect sovereignty of all countries in West Asia

  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of countries in the West Asia and Gulf region should be fully respected.

  Mr. Xi, who met the visiting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the safety of personnel, facilities and institutions of all countries should be effectively safeguarded.

  He also advocated building a common, comprehensive, cooperative, sustainable security architecture for West Asia and the Gulf region.

  On adherence to the principle of international rule of law, Mr. Xi said the authority of international rule of law should be upheld to prevent the world from falling back into the law of the jungle.

  -PTI

• April 14, 2026 14:44

  Crude oil demand to see biggest quarterly plunge since Covid: IEA

  Demand for crude oil will likely see the biggest slump in the second quarter since the Covid pandemic slammed the global economy in 2020, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday.

  Surging prices caused by the war in the West Asia will force many countries and industries to curb oil use, and “demand destruction will spread as scarcity and higher prices persist”, the agency said in its monthly report.

  -AFP

  Read more:

  

  Crude oil demand to see biggest quarterly plunge since Covid: IEA

  Crude oil demand faces its largest quarterly decline since Covid, driven by soaring prices and geopolitical tensions, warns IEA.

• April 14, 2026 13:56

  Russia's oil export revenue surged to $19 billion in March during West Asia war: IEA

  Russia nearly doubled its earnings from oil exports in March as Moscow was granted sanctions relief in a bid to offset soaring energy prices during the war in West Asia, the International Energy Agency has said.

  The country earned $19 billion last month as crude and oil product exports soared to 7.1 million barrels per day (mb/d) from just 320 thousand barrels a day in February.

  The United States eased some restrictions on sales of Russian crude imposed over its war against Ukraine, allowing countries to purchase oil that was already at sea until April 11.

  -AFP

• April 14, 2026 13:43

  China calls U.S. blockade of Iran ports 'dangerous and irresponsible'

  China said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026) that a U.S. blockade around Iranian ports was “dangerous and irresponsible”, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to sink any boats that sought to leave or dock there.

  Mr. Trump had ordered the blockade of ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Gulf following the failure of peace talks over the weekend.

  The blockade came into force at 1930 hours IST on April 13, despite the United States and Iran agreeing to a two-week ceasefire days earlier.

  “The U.S. increased military deployments and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardise safety of passage through the Strait (of Hormuz),” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference.

  “This is dangerous and irresponsible behaviour,” he added.

  Iran had already closed the vital Strait of Hormuz to what it regards as enemy shipping, allowing only vessels serving countries it deems friendly — such as China — to cross.

  Mr. Trump’s blockade, analysts say, aims to starve Iran of funds and pressure Beijing, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, to lean Tehran to open the strait, through which one-fifth of global oil transits.

  Tehran’s ambassador to the United Nations called Mr. Trump’s blockade a “grave violation” of Iran’s sovereignty.

  Chinese President Xi Jinping urged respect earlier on Tuesday (April 14) for sovereignty of nations in the Gulf and Middle East, saying Beijing would continue to play a “constructive role” in promoting peace talks.

  Mr. Xi made the comments as he met with Abu Dhabi Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Beijing, one of several leaders of countries impacted by the war to visit China over the issue. -- AFP

• April 14, 2026 12:39

  Asian stocks gain and oil falls on hopes of renewed U.S.-Iran talks

  Asian stocks were trading higher tracking Wall Street gains and oil fell on Tuesday as expectations rose over a possible second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran to end West Asia conflict.

  Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 was up 2.4% to 57,842.72. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 3.4% to 6,004.30.

  Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.4% to 25,759.75, while the Shanghai Composite index climbed 0.6% to 4,010.45. China on Tuesday reported worse-than-expected export growth of 2.5% in March for the first month since the Iran war began.

  Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.3%, and Taiwan’s Taiex rose 2.2%.

  -AP

• April 14, 2026 12:20

  Iran to allocate part of oil revenues for reconstruction after attacks, Minister says

  Iranian oil sales ‌in recent weeks have been ⁠favourable and part of the revenue ‌will be allocated to ‌repairing damage ‌to ⁠industry ⁠caused by wartime attacks, Iran’s Oil Minister said ‌on Tuesday.

  Mohsen Paknejad said oil workers had ‌maintained operations across facilities during the conflict, ⁠ensuring oil exports were not ‌halted “even for a single day,” including at key export ‌hubs such as Kharg Island.

  The Minister said last ⁠month that ⁠the selling price of Iranian ‌crude had significantly increased.

  -Reuters

• April 14, 2026 11:08

  Agreement cannot be reached overnight, talks should continue: UNSG on West Asia war

  UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for continued constructive discussions between Iran and the U.S., while stressing the ceasefire “must absolutely be preserved” after the talks between the two nations on the West Asia conflict concluded without a deal. 

  “While no agreement was reached at the talks hosted by Pakistan between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, the discussions themselves underscored the seriousness of their engagement and constituted a positive and meaningful step toward renewed dialogue,” a statement issued by the spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Guterres said Monday. 

  “They have chosen not to accept our terms,” Vance had said in a news conference in Islamabad. “We leave here with a very simple proposal: a method of understanding that is our final and best offer,” he said, adding that “We’ll see if the Iranians accept it.” Guterres said that given the deeply rooted differences, an “agreement cannot be reached overnight” and called on the talks to continue constructively for an agreement to be reached.

  -PTI

• April 14, 2026 11:07

  Lebanon, Israel to meet for tough talks in Washington

  Lebanese and Israeli representatives are scheduled to meet in Washington Tuesday for U.S.-mediated talks on ending the war in Lebanon, but the prospects of an agreement appear slim.

  Naim Qassem -- the leader of pro-Iran Hezbollah, which is battling Israel -- called for the talks to be scrapped before they even began, describing them as “futile.” 

  The meeting mediated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio will include the Israeli and Lebanese Ambassadors to Washington and the U.S. Ambassador to Beirut.

  -AFP

• April 14, 2026 10:01

  U.S. and Iran could be headed toward a second round of talks

  U.S. and Iran could be headed toward a second round of talks, according to AP sources.

  The sides are weighing new in-person negotiations in a bid to reach a deal aimed at ending their six-week war before the ceasefire expires next week, two U.S. officials and person familiar with the development said.

  The three said discussions were still underway about a new round of talks, while a diplomat from one of the mediating countries went further to say Tehran and Washington have agreed to it.

  All four spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic negotiations.

  It’s unclear if the same level of delegation would be expected to attend, the diplomat and U.S. officials said. 

  -AP

• April 14, 2026 09:15

  U.S.-sanctioned Chinese tanker passes Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade, data shows

  A Chinese tanker sanctioned by the United States passed ‌through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday despite ⁠a U.S. blockade on the chokepoint, shipping data showed.

  The Rich ‌Starry would be the first to ‌make it through the strait ‌and ⁠to exit the ⁠Gulf since the blockade began, data from LSEG, MarineTraffic and Kpler showed.

  The tanker ‌and its owner Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd were sanctioned by the ‌United States for dealing with Iran. The company could not be immediately ⁠reached for comment.

  Rich Starry is a medium-range tanker ‌that is carrying about 250,000 barrels of methanol on board, according to the data. It loaded the cargo at its ‌last port of call, the United Arab Emirates’ Hamriyah, the data showed.

  The ⁠Chinese-owned tanker has Chinese crew ⁠on board, the data showed.

  -Reuters

• April 14, 2026 09:11

  U.S., Iran leave door open to dialogue after tense Islamabad talks

  

  U.S., Iran leave door open to dialogue after tense talks in Pakistan's Islamabad

  U.S. and Iran conclude tense Islamabad talks, leaving room for future dialogue despite ongoing disagreements and obstacles to peace.

• April 14, 2026 08:47

  Dozens detained in New York City protest over U.S. arms sales to Israel

  Dozens of protesters were detained by police in New York City on Monday during demonstrations calling for the blocking of arms ‌sales to Israel and an end to U.S. military support for its ally.

  Demonstrators included ⁠antiwar group Jewish Voice for Peace, which said around 90 people were detained. Among those detained was whistleblower Chelsea Manning, a ‌former U.S. Army soldier and WikiLeaks source.

  The New York City Police Department said there ‌were “multiple” arrests but did not provide a ‌number.

  Clips ⁠from the protests showed a crowd gathering ⁠near the offices of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Democratic colleague, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

  -Reuters

• April 14, 2026 07:51

  U.S. President Donald Trump defends Iran blockade at White House amid tensions

• April 14, 2026 07:02

  Trump says U.S. military has blockaded Iranian ports to pressure Tehran

  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the American military had begun a blockade of Iranian ports as part of his effort to force Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and accept a deal to end the war that has raged for more than six weeks. 

  At least two tankers approaching the strait on Monday turned around soon after the U.S. blockade began, vessel tracker MarineTraffic said in a post on X. 

  The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency said the blockade restricted “the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including ports and energy infrastructure.” Its notice to mariners said transit through the strait to or from non-Iranian places was not reported to be impeded though ships “may encounter military presence.” 

  -AP

• April 14, 2026 06:30

  Trump deletes Jesus post of himself after outcry

  U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday deleted a social media image apparently depicting him as Jesus after an outcry from religious leaders that he was being blasphemous.

  The image posted on Mr. Trump’s Truth Social platform showed him in flowing red and white robes, touching the forehead of what appeared to be a sick man and with light shining from his hand and head.

  An American flag waved in the background while various figures gazed up at the president in reverence.

  The AI picture was posted late on Sunday and removed on Monday.

  Asked about the post, Mr. Trump denied that he was trying to look like Jesus Christ.

  “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do Red Cross,” he told journalists. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”