The Press Editor

Washington: The United States and Iran have reached a two-week ceasefire agreement which offers a brief pause in tensions across the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region. The announcement drew widespread support from world leaders who underlined that a lasting peace would require sustained dialogue. Uncertainty persisted on Wednesday as both sides appeared to communicate contrasting interpretations of the truce. Fresh attacks cast shadow on the truce Soon after the ceasefire was declared, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported incoming missiles, while Kuwait said its forces responded to drone activity. Iran also claimed that one of its oil refineries…

Tehran: Hours after a ceasefire was announced between US and Iran in the ongoing war, an oil refinery on Iran's Lavan Island came under attack, Iranian state television reported. The report said that firefighters were working to contain the blaze but no one had been hurt. However, it did not say who launched the attack. In another development, the United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday afternoon that its air defenses were firing at an incoming Iranian missile barrage. The announcement came hours after Iran, the US and Israel reached a two-week ceasefire in the war. However, the UAE did not…

Washington: Oil prices dropped sharply, and US stock futures rose after President Donald Trump said he would delay his threat of devastating attacks as the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire for two weeks, provided the Iranians allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Futures for US crude oil fell 18% to about USD 92.60, while Brent crude oil futures declined around 6% to USD 103.40. Despite the drop, both prices remain significantly higher than their levels at the start of the war. Meanwhile, futures for the S&P 500 climbed 2.4%. Trump also said that Iran has…

New Delhi: Donald Trump had admitted that it was China that brought Iran to the negotiating table to broker a ceasefire deal with the US to pause the 38-day-long bloodied conflict in West Asia.  Speaking to AFP when asked if China was involved in reaching a truce, Trump said, "I hear, yes", making Beijing once again the talking point amid the conflict.  While much has been reported about China's role and activities in the unfolding geopolitical situation in West Asia, the country's leadership has not publicly put out much in terms of reactions or involvement. China's role in US-Iran ceasefire…