Hope and Caution as Lebanon-Israel Cease-Fire Begins
Celebrations broke out in Lebanon after its government agreed to a 10-day cease-fire with Israel. In both Israel and Lebanon, some people remained wary that the truce would hold.
Hezbollah
Pakistan’s Precarious Balancing Act Amid Gulf Escalation
In late 2025, Pakistan entered into a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, binding both parties to provide military support should either come under attack.This arrangement now faces its first serious test as Iran intensifies missile and drone strikes against Saudi targets, raising the prospect of Pakistan being compelled to honour its commitment.Should the conflict continue to escalate,
Trump Says War In Iran Is Going ‘Swimmingly’ And ‘Should Be Ending Pretty Soon’
US President Donald Trump stated in Las Vegas that the war in Iran is going “swimmingly” and could be ending soon. His remarks conveyed optimism about the trajectory of the conflict, even as tensions remain high in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounds the timeline and terms of any resolution.Trump said Washington and Tehran were “very close” to a peace agreement and claimed Iran had agreed
PM Modi And President Macron Reaffirm Maritime Security Amid West Asia Crisis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on 16 April 2026, focusing on the worsening crisis in West Asia and the urgent need to safeguard maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.This was their second conversation on the matter in less than a month, following an earlier dialogue on 19 March 2026.The telephonic exchange between the two leaders underscored the
Indian And Pakistani Navies Shadow Each Other Near Strait of Hormuz Amid Gulf Tensions
In a rare maritime development, naval vessels from India and Pakistan were observed operating just 18 nautical miles apart near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.The incident occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions in West Asia, where the security of energy routes has become a pressing concern.The proximity of the warships was flagged by open-source intelligence analyst Damien
Fragile Israel–Lebanon Truce Begins Amid Regional Diplomatic Push
A 10‑day ceasefire has gone into effect in Lebanon, pausing hostilities between Israel and the Iran‑backed Hezbollah group and raising hopes of a broader truce involving the United States and Iran after weeks of war that destabilised the region.The announcement was made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who described it as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, though Israel has been fighting
Fragile Israel–Lebanon Truce Begins Amid Regional Diplomatic Push
A 10‑day ceasefire has gone into effect in Lebanon, pausing hostilities between Israel and the Iran‑backed Hezbollah group and raising hopes of a broader truce involving the United States and Iran after weeks of war that destabilised the region.The announcement was made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who described it as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, though Israel has been fighting
Iranian Oil Tankers Felicity And Jaya Anchor Off India After 7-Year Hiatus Amid US Waiver
Two sanctioned very large crude carriers (VLCCs) carrying Iranian oil have anchored off India’s eastern and western coasts, marking the first such arrival near the country in almost seven years, according to ship-tracking data and industry sources.The vessels, Felicity and Jaya, are each estimated to be carrying around 2 million barrels of crude loaded from Iran’s Kharg Island in February and
Iranian Oil Tankers Felicity And Jaya Anchor Off India After 7-Year Hiatus Amid US Waiver
Two sanctioned very large crude carriers (VLCCs) carrying Iranian oil have anchored off India’s eastern and western coasts, marking the first such arrival near the country in almost seven years, according to ship-tracking data and industry sources.The vessels, Felicity and Jaya, are each estimated to be carrying around 2 million barrels of crude loaded from Iran’s Kharg Island in February and
US extends waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil – as it happened
This blog is now closedIran says strait of Hormuz ‘completely open’ to commercial vessels as oil prices fallIn case you’re just joining us, here are the latest developments in the Middle East to bring you up to speed. It’s 9am in Beirut and Jerusalem, …