Middle East conflict

March 24, 2026 9:52 AM

US delays strikes on Iran amid talks, but West Asia tensions remain high

US President Donald Trump has announced a five-day postponement of planned military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, citing what he described as “very good and productive” discussions with Tehran. The move signals a possible de-escalation after weeks of intense fighting, although Washington has made clear the pause depends on progress in talks and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping. Tehran is responding cautiously and at times contradicting its...

March 23, 2026 5:33 PM

Trump puts off threat to bomb Iran power stations, talks about ‘total resolution of hostilities’

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had given instructions to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for five days, just hours ahead of a deadline that threatened further escalation in the conflict now in its fourth week. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the U.S. and Iran have had "VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE" conversations with Iran over the past two days about a "COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST". In his message, written enti...

March 23, 2026 4:56 PM

Israel-Iran strikes escalate as threats to infrastructure deepen global energy crisis

Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, as Tehran warned of retaliation targeting critical infrastructure across West Asia, further intensifying a conflict that is fuelling a global energy crisis. Explosions were reported across several districts of Tehran, according to Iranian media, while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates confirmed intercepting incoming missiles and drones. The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said at least 40 oil and gas facilities a...

March 23, 2026 5:16 PM

PM Modi addresses Lok Sabha on West Asia crisis, emphasises energy security and safety of Indians

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the Lok Sabha on the ongoing conflict in West Asia, highlighting its wide-ranging impact on India’s economy, energy security, and citizens abroad, while calling for unity and a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Describing the situation as serious, the Prime Minister said, “The situation in West Asia is concerning at this time... This crisis has been going on now for more than three weeks. It is having a very adverse impact on the global econ...

March 23, 2026 12:03 PM

Centre ensures stable fuel supply, boosts LPG allocation and cracks down on hoarding amid West Asia conflict

The Centre has stepped up measures across key sectors to ensure stability in essential supplies and services amid the evolving situation in West Asia, even as the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on Sunday emphasised that there is no cause for panic. Energy and Fuel Supply Stable Despite disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the government said domestic supplies of petrol, diesel, and LPG remain stable. Refineries across the country are operating at high capacity wi...

March 23, 2026 11:43 AM

West Asia conflict escalates as UAE intercepts missiles, Iran expands strikes, and Trump issues stark warning

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence says its air defences intercepted four ballistic missiles and 25 drones launched from Iran this afternoon, with explosions heard over several urban areas. In a separate incident, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported a projectile detonated close to a bulk carrier about 15 nautical miles off the coast of Sharjah, the latest in a string of attacks targeting commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on February 28....

March 23, 2026 11:40 AM

UAE intercepts Iranian missile and drone threats, debris causes minor injury in Abu Dhabi

The UAE on Monday said its air defence systems successfully intercepted incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, with loud explosions reported across parts of the country during the early hours. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the sounds heard by residents were caused by air defence systems engaging and destroying incoming projectiles, adding that the situation was under control and response measures were activated promptly, while officials in Abu Dhabi said debris from an ...

March 23, 2026 9:56 AM

PM Modi chairs CCS meet to review West Asia conflict, directs measures to safeguard supplies and economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the evolving situation arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia and assess its potential impact on India’s economy and essential supplies. During the meeting, a detailed presentation was made by the Cabinet Secretary on the global scenario and the steps already taken, along with those being planned, by various ministries and departments. The discussions covered a wide range of s...

March 20, 2026 4:33 PM

Six Indians dead, one missing in Gulf amid West Asia conflict; 3 lakh return since Feb 28: MEA

Six Indian nationals have lost their lives and one remains missing in separate incidents across the Gulf region amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, Aseem R Mahajan, said Indian missions in the region are working closely with local authorities to trace the missing individual and facilitate the early repatriation of the deceased. “Six Indian nationals have u...

March 20, 2026 12:49 PM

US and Israeli war aims in Iran are not the same, US spy chief says

American and Israeli objectives for the war on Iran are not the same, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Thursday, with Israel focused on disabling Iran's leadership and U.S. President Donald Trump focused on destroying Iran's ballistic missile program and navy. "The objectives that have been laid out by the president are different from the objectives that have been laid out by the Israeli government," Gabbard told the House intelligence committee's annual hearing on w...