Tehran, April 19 (IANS) The Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vess…
Latest Gulf News & Updates
Washington, Apr 18 (IANS) U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran “can’t blackmail us” even as Washington is holding talks with Tehran, signalling a mix of pressure and diplomacy amid rising tensions. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the United States was engaged with Iran but would not ease its stance.“We’re talking to them… ” It’s working out very well,” he said. “We’re taking a tough stand.”He said Iran had “gotten away with murder for 47 years” bu…
New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) Fundamental issues continue to plague Pakistan, including in the Middle East, where a dispute over financial deposit repayments threaten its relationship with the UAE, according to a new report.Earlier this month, the Pakistan government announced that it would be repaying $3.5 billion worth of loans to the UAE.This includes a loan of $450 million that Pakistan has owed the UAE since the late 1990s, according to the report in Geopolitical Monitor.The report says that t…
Abu Dhabi, April 17 (IANS) The Indian diaspora in the Gulf emerged as a quiet but powerful force during the recent turbulence in West Asia amid uncertainties across energy markets, logistics networks, and expatriate communities. Often measured in economic terms through remittances and labour statistics, the Indian community demonstrated a far deeper reality defined by resilience, solidarity, and an ability to stabilise both host societies and fellow migrants in crisis situations, a report detail…
Washington, April 16 (IANS) The US on Thursday called on allies to do more to secure critical maritime routes in the Gulf, saying Washington cannot be expected to shoulder the burden alone amid escalating tensions with Iran. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said while some regional partners had supported US efforts, many countries had failed to act when needed.”Other allies have talked a lot and haven’t done anything,” he added, referring to the response during recent hostilities.Hegseth was speak…
Washington, April 16 (IANS) The United States on Thursday warned Iran to “choose wisely” as it enforced a sweeping naval blockade, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth saying American forces remain “locked and loaded” to escalate military action if needed. Addressing a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth was joined by Air Force General Dan Caine, the US military’s top uniformed officer as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Bradley Cooper, who oversees American military operations…
Washington, April 16 (IANS) India’s economy is expected to remain resilient even as global growth slows amid war-driven disruptions, with strong fundamentals helping it outperform most economies, the International Monetary Fund’s Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said. “Look at India today. India’s growth is more than two times higher than the average global growth,” Georgieva said at a press briefing during the IMF Spring Meetings on Wednesday (local time).She attributed Indi…
Washington, April 15 (IANS) India faces rising risks from global conflict and energy price volatility, but enters the new financial year with a strong macroeconomic position, Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran said on Wednesday. Speaking at the US-India Economic Forum 2026, Nageswaran said the government’s 6.5 per cent GDP growth forecast may be conservative, but cautioned that “we shouldn’t underestimate or understate the wide range of uncertainty that prevails.”He said …
Washington, April 15 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has said the American economy remains resilient despite the ongoing conflict with Iran, asserting that oil prices and stock markets have held up better than expected during the crisis. In an interview with Fox News at the White House, Trump pointed to stable energy prices even as tensions escalated in the Gulf. “If you told me that we were gonna be at only 92 a barrel… I would’ve been very surprised,” he said, noting that many had predi…
Washington, April 15 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said China was “very happy” with his decision to permanently open the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Beijing had agreed not to send weapons to Iran as part of what he described as coordinated efforts to stabilise the region.In a social media post, Trump wrote, “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also – And the World.”He added that the current crisis “will ne…