Tehran will never cede control of Strait of Hormuz
“Never.” That’s when a senior Iranian lawmaker says they’ll be ready to give up their control of the Strait of Hormuz.
· Supuni Kulasinghe
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Live updates: US seizure of Iranian ship near Strait of Hormuz casts doubt on ceasefire talks
The United States said it forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to pass its naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first such interception since the blockade of Iranian ports began last week.
Un capitán iraquí sigue navegando pese a la amenaza de ataque en guerra regional
En esta imagen cortesía del capitán Rahman Al-Jubouri, el capitán, a la derecha, supervisa a marinos en la cubierta del petrolero Sea Moon en aguas del golfo de Omán, el miércoles 15 de abril de 2026. (Imagen cortesía del capitán Rahman Al-Jubouri via AP)
· Qassim Abdul Zahra
Seoul stocks end higher despite Middle East concerns, with earnings season in focus
SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks closed a tad higher Monday despite renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, with investors focusing on the upcoming earnings season. The local currency gained against the greenback.
· Kang Jae-eun
Pakistan ready for multi-day US-Iran talks, but Tehran unsure about joining
Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan is gearing up to host the second round of talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their war, but rising tensions in recent hours have cast uncertainty over Tehran’s participation, as the deadline nears for the end of the two-week ceasefire.
· Abid Hussain
Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Monday
Spain calls for "respectful dialogue" with Cuba amid US tensions, electric car sales in Spain rise since Iran war, and more news from Spain on Monday April 20th.
· The Local
Iran says 95 percent of airport infrastructure still functioning
Around 95 percent of Iran’s airport infrastructure is intact and operational, according to a report by Fars news agency, citing the secretary of the Association of Airlines.
· Middleeasteye
Iran ensures safe passage through Hormuz, Iranian envoy says
Iran ensures the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under a new legal regime, the Vedomosti newspaper quoted Iran's ambassador to Moscow as saying on Monday.
· Middleeasteye
Iran executes two men convicted of espionage for Mossad and plotting attacks
Iran executed two men convicted of cooperating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and planning attacks inside the country, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported on Sunday.
· REUTERS
European stocks set to slump as Gulf tanker attacks threaten ceasefire
LONDON — European stocks are expected to fall at the start of the new trading week on fears that a re-escalation of U.S.-Iran tensions over the weekend could derail the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
· Holly Ellyatt
'Resumption of hostilities': seized ship, vessel attacks push U.S.-Iran ceasefire toward brink
Fifty days into the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, tensions escalated again after clashes in the Gulf prolonged shipping disruptions and cast doubt on a fragile ceasefire set to expire this week.
· Anniek Bao
Iran accuses US of ceasefire breach as talks set to begin in Islamabad | The National
In today’s episode of Trending Middle East, tensions rise in the Gulf as Iran accuses the US of breaching the ceasefire, following the interception of an Iranian-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran has warned it will respond, while Washington says it is enforcing a naval blockade.
· The National
An Iraqi ship captain keeps sailing volatile waters despite risk of attacks
On board an oil tanker navigating the tense waters between the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, Iraqi Captain Rahman Al-Jubouri continues to work in one of the world’s most volatile maritime corridors, where the U.S.-Israel war with Iran has disrupted global trade, leaving some crews stranded and exposed to at…
· Qassim Abdul Zahra
Chalmers says Iran war will raise inflation and unemployment, warning fallout of conflict could be ‘severe’
End of war ‘can’t come soon enough’, treasurer says, as inflation expected to rise above 5% in Australia with global supply chains buffeted
· Tom Mcilroy, Patrick Commins
Iran executes two men accused of involvement in 'spy network linked to Israel', report says
Iran executed two men convicted of cooperating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and planning attacks inside the country, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported on Sunday.
· Middleeasteye
Asia growth forecasts slashed as Iran war and tariffs threaten supply chains
Global institutions forecast slower growth in Asia-Pacific this year, as the Iran war and tariff risks combine to disrupt global trade
· Ralph Jennings
Asia growth forecasts slashed as Iran war and tariffs threaten supply chains
Global institutions forecast slower growth in Asia-Pacific this year, as the Iran war and tariff risks combine to disrupt global trade
· Ralph Jennings
Quarter of a million people could lose job by middle of 2027 as UK ‘flirts with recession’, analysis says
Twin reports from top accounting firms underline scale of economic threat as Iran war shatters business confidence
· Rob Davies
Report: Iran stands firm on demands for a truce in Lebanon, frozen assets
Iran has decided to continue talks with the US, but this “does not mean to negotiate at any cost", it stands firm on demands for a truce in Lebanon and frozen assets, Al Jazeera reported Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Committee, saying.
· Middleeasteye
India sees increased EV sales on Iran war, incoming emissions rules
Drivers charge their Tata EVs at a charging station in Mumbai on Sept. 9, 2025. Total electric car sales in India grew 87% in the fiscal year through March, with incoming emissions rules expected to give the segment a further boost in the near future. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
World weighs fate of Mideast ceasefire after US seizes Iranian cargo ship
Concerns grew on Monday that the ceasefire between the US and Iran might not hold after the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Iran vowed to retaliate.
· Yonhap
'I got stuck in traffic, it's a healthy sign': Top Goldman Sachs banker says UAE bouncing back | The National
Leading financiers will flock back to the UAE and Gulf as the risk of the Iran war reigniting declines, one of Goldman Sachs' top bankers has said.
· Manus Cranny
Oil prices and stocks climb as the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz persists
People work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
· Elaine Kurtenbach
Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports
Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf
· Tom Hussain
Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports
Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf
· Tom Hussain
First oil tanker in weeks heads to Korea via Hormuz strait
A crude oil tanker carrying about 1 million barrels is currently heading to South Korea after passing through the troubled Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such shipment in weeks since the war in Iran broke out.
· Lee Sun-young
WSJ: UAE discusses economic lifeline with US officials
The United Arab Emirates has opened talks with the United States about establishing an economic safety net if the war involving Iran worsens, according to The Wall Street Journal.
· Middleeasteye
Is the Iran war a strategic threat or an opportunity for China? | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on US-Iran war
· Robin Mills
The Strait of Hormuz should not even require a maritime force to police it | The National
Over nearly two months since the US-Israel war on Iran began, Tehran has held both global shipping and the world economy to ransom.
· The National Editorial
Netanyahu says conflict with Iran could shift at any moment
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war with Iran is “not over”, adding that Israel and the United States “fight the battle of civilisation against barbarism”.
· Middleeasteye
In turbulent times, will Hong Kong be a safe haven?
AdvertisementAdvertisementNEWSCMP Hong Kong SeriesIn turbulent times, will Hong Kong be a safe haven?The US-Israeli war on Iran has unleashed sharp swings across global energy and financial markets, fuelling demand for safe-haven assets, with Hong Kong emerging as a potential beneficiary across gold, property and ca…
· SCMP Staff
In turbulent times, will Hong Kong be a safe haven?
AdvertisementAdvertisementNEWSCMP Hong Kong SeriesIn turbulent times, will Hong Kong be a safe haven?The US-Israeli war on Iran has unleashed sharp swings across global energy and financial markets, fuelling demand for safe-haven assets, with Hong Kong emerging as a potential beneficiary across gold, property and ca…
· SCMP Staff
China’s silent war: How Beijing armed, funded, and enabled Iran
China is a central actor in the war with Iran, though it remains largely unnamed in Washington’s public debate. Without Beijing’s money, oil purchases, sanctions‑busting networks, and satellite support, the Iranian regime would not be able to fight.
· Lisa Daftari
US capture of Iranian cargo ship is escalation and retaliation, experts say
Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War
· Lewis Wiseman
Seoul stocks sharply up late Mon. morning despite renewed woes over U.S.-Iran conflict
SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks were trading sharply higher late Monday morning, despite concerns over renewed tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.
· Kang Jae-eun
Middle East crisis live: ceasefire under pressure and talks in doubt as Iran threatens to ‘retaliate’ to US seizure of ship
Donald Trump said on Sunday that US marines had taken custody of a vessel that tried to get past the American blockade on Iranian ports
· Mark Saunokonoko
Argentina's Milei says US-Israel war against Iran 'right'
Argentine President Javier Milei declared on Sunday that the joint US-Israel war against Iran was the "right thing to do," as he signed on to the so-called Isaac Accords aimed at deepening bilateral ties between Israel and Latin American countries.
· Yonhap
Malaysia's rubber glove industry hit by Iran war costs
A worker inspects products at a Top Glove factory in Shah Alam, Malaysia: Rubber glove manufacturing is a key industry in the country. © Reuters
· NORMAN GOH
Moscow continues nuclear cooperation with Tehran, report says
Russia is continuing to develop the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran, according to Andrei Kortunov, a former director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, Al Jazeera reported.
· Middleeasteye
Washington's Renewed Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Will Help Their Shared Indian Partner
Authored by Andrew Korybko,
· Tyler Durden
Pro-government crowds in Iran urge leaders not to back down
Thousands of people gathered in Tehran in support of the government, with some expressing “complete distrust” towards the United States and urging officials not to back down.
· Middleeasteye
Pope Leo XIV denies ‘tyrants’ speech aimed at Trump
Pope Leo XIV has sought to downplay his public spat with Donald Trump, rejecting claims that he was trying to challenge the US president with his criticism of the war in Iran and calls for peace.
· RT
Pope denies ‘tyrants’ speech aimed at Trump
Pope Leo has sought to downplay his public spat with US President Donald Trump, rejecting claims that he was trying to challenge the president with his criticism of the war in Iran and calls for peace.
· RT
Lack of clarity around US-Iran talks weighs on Asia stock rally
Tankers are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran on April 18. © AP
· JADA NAGUMO
Back to school: Students return to classrooms amid Iran ceasefire | The National
Schools and nurseries across the UAE on Monday are reopening their doors with strict safety rules in place.
· The National
Back to school: Students return to classrooms amid Iran ceasefire | The National
Schools and nurseries across the UAE on Monday are reopening their doors with strict safety rules in place.
· The National
World weighs fate of Mideast ceasefire after US seizes Iranian cargo ship
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
· Herbie G
Ceasefire at risk after US seizes Iranian ship, Iran shuns peace talks
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
· Herbie G
Nueva alza de precios del petróleo tras incidentes entre EEUU e Irán en estrecho de Ormuz
Buques cisterna anclados en el estrecho de Ormuz, frente a la isla de Qeshm, Irán, el sábado 18 de abril de 2026. (Foto AP/Asghar Besharati)
· Wyatte Grantham Philips
‘Throwing Russia lifeline after lifeline’: latest US backflip delivers another blow to Ukraine
Ukraine has slammed a surprise US decision to suspend sanctions on Russian oil amid a wave of airstrikes on Kyiv and other cities, deepening a rift over the European conflict while US President Donald Trump puts a priority on the war with Iran.
· David Crowe