Amid Iran

Central Command says US aircraft fired missiles into oil tanker’s smokestack in strait of Hormuz as US strikes Iran for fourth consecutive dayTrump again threatens to strike Iran’s power plants amid impasse over strait of HormuzFor a second day in a row, US strikes targeted Iran’s southern port city of Bushehr, home to the country’s only civilian nuclear plant, according to the state news agency IRNA quoting a local official.“In continuation of the brutality of the American enemy, three points in the city of Bushehr were attacked today,” Mohammad Mozaffari, the governor of Bushehr, was quoted as saying.In the recent attacks on the southern part of the country, more than 30 civilians lost their lives. While expressing our condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families, we honour the memory of the fallen. The government will stand by the people with all its might. The south of Iran is the beating heart of this land. The south of Iran, the soul of Iran.” Continue reading...

US president says he will knock out all Iran’s power plants and bridges next week in bid to force Tehran to agree to a dealMiddle East crisis – live updatesPresident Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal amid a continuing dispute over the strait of Hormuz.“Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” Trump said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. “We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.” Continue reading...

• Oil prices surged 2% to a four-week high following the United States' decision to reinstate a naval blockade on Iran. • The price spike is driven by escalating military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy shipments. • This development raises significant international concerns regarding the stability and security of global oil supplies.

• Russia's Tu-214PU "Doomsday" airborne command post aircraft recently landed in Tehran, according to flight tracking data. • The arrival occurs amidst a period of escalating tensions and intensifying U.S. military strikes against Iran. • The presence of this high-level command aircraft fuels speculation that Moscow and Tehran are pursuing closer military coordination.

• Indian stock markets tumbled at the start of the week, with the BSE SENSEX dropping over 670 points and the NSE NIFTY 50 falling 192 points. • The decline was triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, which caused a surge in crude oil prices and volatility across Asian indices. • This downturn matters as it reflects the sensitivity of Indian markets to global oil price spikes and international political instability.

Brent crude jumps nearly 5% and Asian markets drop, with chipmakers including SK Hynix among hardest hitBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices jumped and stocks fell after the US launched a fresh wave of attacks against Iran amid an escalating standoff over the strait or Hormuz.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose 4.7% to $79.59 a barrel. Asian stock markets dropped sharply, with South Korea’s Kospi down 8% and Japan’s Nikkei 225 and China’s Shanghai Composite 2% lower. Continue reading...

• Asian stock markets experienced a decline following new U.S. strikes against Iran and growing instability in the region. • Market volatility is being driven by uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, with ship tracking data indicating a significant decrease in maritime traffic. • The situation matters as disruptions to this critical shipping lane could severely impact global energy supplies and trade stability.