Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said the US must decide between peace and war after Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The attacks near Beirut killed over 100 people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were not part of the ceasefire deal. Araghchi wrote, “The Iran–US ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the US must choose—ceasefire or continued war via Israel.” He added, “The world sees the massacres in Lebanon. The ball is in the US court.” Shehbaz Sharif said a ceasefire was agreed but reported violations and urged restraint. (PC: HT)

Donald Trump has sent a team led by JD Vance to Pakistan for talks with Iran starting Saturday. The White House said the move marks a shift from military action to diplomacy. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier Iranian proposals were “unacceptable” and “thrown in the garbage.” She added a revised plan may now match a US 15-point proposal. Vance will be joined by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Islamabad. Iran has also signalled it may hand over enriched uranium. (PC: India Today)

A crude oil tanker carrying Iranian oil is heading toward India’s east coast, potentially marking the first such import in nearly seven years. The vessel, Jaya, a Curacao-flagged very large crude carrier, moved from the Strait of Malacca into the Andaman Sea near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is now sailing in the Bay of Bengal. Ship tracking data and trade sources indicate it may deliver cargo to a port like Paradip for Indian Oil Corporation. Malaysian waters have served as holding zones for Iranian crude shipments. If completed, the delivery would signal a notable shift in India’s oil sourcing amid evolving geopolitical and energy dynamics. (PC: The Indian Express)

India welcomed the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, urging uninterrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles half of India’s oil imports. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised dialogue and diplomacy while expressing hope the development could support peace efforts in Ukraine. The conflict, triggered by US-Israel strikes on February 28, disrupted global energy flows and stranded shipping. India remains engaged with stakeholders to ensure safe passage, though Iran continues case-by-case vessel clearance. Around 7,500 Indians remain in Iran, with evacuations ongoing via Armenia and Azerbaijan. New Delhi is closely monitoring Pakistan’s mediation role and prioritising the safety of its citizens. (PC: X)

Iran halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and warned it could withdraw from the ceasefire with the United States if Israel continues attacks on Lebanon. The move followed Israeli airstrikes on Beirut hours after the truce, which Israel said does not extend to Lebanon due to Hezbollah’s role. The White House confirmed Lebanon is excluded from the two-week agreement announced earlier by Donald Trump. Iran’s actions signal escalating tensions despite the ceasefire framework. By suspending tanker movement, Tehran has reinforced its leverage over global oil flows while linking regional conflict dynamics to maritime access. The fragile truce now faces renewed uncertainty as hostilities expand beyond its defined scope. (PC: AFP)  

Despite a 14-day ceasefire announced by Donald Trump, the Strait of Hormuz remains tightly controlled. Iran’s navy has warned vessels to obtain prior approval or face destruction, indicating no immediate easing of restrictions. Earlier, Iran signalled limited reopening with coordinated passage, but shipowners report the chokepoint effectively remains closed. Global operators, including Maersk, are reassessing risks amid uncertainty. Around 2,000 ships and 20,000 seafarers remain stranded since the conflict began. Iran continues to restrict passage primarily to friendly nations, maintaining leverage despite the truce. The ceasefire, influenced by Pakistan and possibly China, has paused escalation but failed to restore normal maritime flow in this critical global oil route. (PC: X)

The United States has claimed a “decisive military victory” over Iran following intense strikes during the recent West Asia conflict. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Iran “begged” for a ceasefire after suffering significant damage to its military infrastructure, including missile and naval capabilities. A temporary two-week ceasefire has since been agreed upon, with Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and entering negotiations. However, tensions remain high as both sides caution that the truce is fragile, and the broader conflict may not be over despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. (PC: Reuters)

Tensions escalated in the Middle East after an oil refinery in Iran was struck shortly after a ceasefire agreement came into effect. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory strikes targeting locations in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, according to reports. The developments raise serious concerns about the stability of the ceasefire and the risk of a wider regional conflict. Despite diplomatic efforts to de-escalate, both sides appear to remain on high alert. The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with global stakeholders closely monitoring the potential impact on regional security and oil markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that any country supplying military weapons to Iran will face a steep 50% tariff on all goods exported to the United States. The move comes shortly after a temporary ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, aimed at easing escalating tensions. Trump stated there would be no exemptions, signaling a strict stance to deter foreign military support to Tehran. The policy is expected to impact nations like China and Russia. Analysts view this as a strategic pressure tactic, combining trade measures with diplomacy to limit Iran’s military capabilities. (PC: AFP)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in facilitating ceasefire talks with the United States, ultimately helping avert a major escalation. Reports suggest his approval allowed Iranian negotiators to engage seriously in diplomacy at a critical moment, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump issued strong military threats. Khamenei also ordered Iranian forces to halt attacks as part of the agreement, signaling intent to de-escalate. However, Iran clarified the ceasefire is temporary and conditional, with key demands like sanctions relief and security guarantees still unresolved, leaving the situation fragile. (PC: AFP)