Iran war tests China’s balancing act as Beijing walks tightrope between Tehran and Gulf | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on US-Iran war
· Vanessa Ghanem
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Iraq turns to Syria as key transit hub for oil exports amid oil export crisis
Iraq is facing a crisis as it has seen around 80 percent of its oil exports collapse. This was because of the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Now, there's also a US blockade of Iran. Iraq is thus seeing many of its normal maritime oil exports via the Persian Gulf interdicted. As such, Iraq has sought to se…
· SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Wiesenthal Center rabbi slams Japanese TV claim Kushner unfit for Iran talks because he is Jewish
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action for the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) and former Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, condemned remarks made by commentator Toru Tamagawa on TV Asahi questioning whether Jared Kushner, a US Special Envoy fo…
· THE MEDIA LINE STAFF
US officials claim China is ‘hoarding’ oil. What does the data say?
While US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China is stockpiling crude amid the Iran war, the numbers suggest Beijing is facing a supply crunch
· Carol Yang
US officials claim China is ‘hoarding’ oil. What does the data say?
While US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China is stockpiling crude amid the Iran war, the numbers suggest Beijing is facing a supply crunch
· Carol Yang
Economic shock from Iran war risks driving up global debt levels, says IMF
Conflict is pushing up price of energy and food, fuelling higher borrowing costs and hitting growth, report says
· Richard Partington
Gulf-EU ties elevated to 'strategic necessity' by Iran war | The National
The Iran war has highlighted the need to elevate EU-Gulf Co-operation Council ties as a “strategic necessity”, GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi told the European Parliament on Wednesday.
· Sunniva Rose
Is The Iran War Good For The Petrodollar?
Diana Choyleva wrote an excellent editorial for the Wall Street Journal entitled “The Iran War Is A Boon For The Petrodollar.”
· Tyler Durden
Analysts doubt Iran war will prompt China stimulus, tip ‘solid’ first-quarter GDP growth
Flexible growth target means little likelihood of imminent stimulus, but focus will switch to impact of disruptions in second quarter
· Mia Nurmamat
Despite Iran war, China set for ‘solid’ first-quarter GDP growth: analysts
Flexible growth target means little likelihood of imminent stimulus, but focus will switch to impact of disruptions in second quarter
· Mia Nurmamat
Iran to execute the first woman over widespread anti-regime demonstrations
Iran’s barbaric regime is set to execute its first female protester over recent protests, one of an estimated 1,600 sentenced to death by the Islamic Republic in the past year.
· Anthony Blair
Trump opening Strait of Hormuz ‘for China’
US President Donald Trump has announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, saying he made the decision after China agreed not to send weapons to Iran.
· RT
Futures Unchanged Just Shy Of All Time High On Peace Hopes, Solid Earnings
US equity futures are flat following yesterday’s rally as market awaits news on the Iran war resolution and as we traverse earnings season. As of 8:15am ET, S&P 500 futures are little changed after the benchmark closed within a whisker of a record. Risk sentiment took a small knock in recent trade after Iran caution…
· Tyler Durden
War 'Very Close' To Over, Trump Says, As Iran Ceasefire Extension Reportedly Advances, But More US Troops Deploy
The Iran war is "very close to over" with authorities in Tehran eager to agree a peace deal, Trump says, adding: "We've beaten them militarily."
· Tyler Durden
Given history of ceasefires, it’s no surprise US-Iran truce is fraying
From Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, the lesson of history is that ceasefires rarely hold
· James David Spellman
Given history of ceasefires, it’s no surprise US-Iran truce is fraying
From Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, the lesson of history is that ceasefires rarely hold
· James David Spellman
Trump says he asked China's Xi not to give Iran weapons
US President Donald Trump has told Fox Business Network that he wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping in which he asked Xi not to give Iran weapons. Xi responded by saying that China was not supplying Iran, Trump said.
· Middleeasteye
European Council chief in Qatar on Gulf support tour | The National
European Council President Antonio Costa travelled to Qatar on Wednesday for the final stop of a tour to show Europe's support for Gulf states against attacks by Iran.
· The National
European Council chief in Qatar on Gulf support tour | The National
European Council President Antonio Costa travelled to Qatar on Wednesday for the final stop of a tour to show Europe's support for Gulf states against attacks by Iran.
· The National
Trump threatens to backtrack on UK trade accord
LONDON — US President Donald Trump has threatened to renege on a trade agreement with the UK, limiting the impact of US tariffs, as he again criticized Britain's lack of support in the Iran war.
· Agence France-Presse
Trump says China agrees not to send Iran weapons — and predicts Xi Jinping will give him ‘big, fat hug’
WASHINGTON — President Trump said that China has agreed not to send weapons to Iran amid reports it plans to give Tehran new air defense systems — and predicted Chinese leader Xi Jinping “will give me a big, fat, hug” when they meet next month.
· Ryan King
Iran's foreign ministry says ceasefire extension reports are unconfirmed
A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry has told state media that reports about an extension to the ceasefire in the war on Iran are as yet unconfirmed.
· Middleeasteye
Iran details maritime losses from US, Israeli attacks in IMO report
Iran has submitted a formal document to the International Maritime Organization’s Legal Committee, detailing what it calls severe maritime and civilian losses caused by US and Israeli military attacks.
· AfricaNews
Pakistan pushes for second US-Iran talks and seeks 'guarantees' for Tehran
Officials in Islamabad have told Nikkei Asia that Pakistan is pressing hard to host a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran ahead of the current two-week ceasefire deadline on April 21. © Reuters
· Adnan Aamir
Pakistan pushes for more US-Iran talks and seeks 'guarantees' for Tehran
Officials in Islamabad have told Nikkei Asia that Pakistan is pressing hard to host a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran ahead of the current two-week ceasefire deadline. © Reuters
· Adnan Aamir
Mediators move closer to extending US-Iran ceasefire, AP reports
Mediators moved closer on Wednesday to extending the ceasefire between the United States and Iran and restarting negotiations to salvage the fragile truce before it expires on 22 April, the Associated Press reported, citing regional officials involved in the mediation process.
· Middleeasteye
Double standards? Why Iran’s nukes are scrutinised, Israel gets a pass
For more than two decades, Iran’s nuclear programme has been subject to intense international scrutiny, sanctions and diplomatic negotiations.
· Usaid Siddiqui
Erdogan pushes to extend US-Iran ceasefire despite tensions
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara was working to extend a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, ease tensions, and ensure the continuation of talks, adding that Turkey was hopeful about negotiations despite issues.
· REUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran military warns will block Red Sea if US naval blockade continues
Iran's military warned on Wednesday it would block trade through the Red Sea, the Gulf and the Sea of Oman if the US naval blockade continues.
· Middleeasteye
Iranian national convicted in France for inciting terrorism returns to Iran
Iran’s Mahdieh Esfandiari, accused of glorifying terrorism, arrives for her trial in court Jan. 14, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
Senior UAE, Iran officials discuss de-escalation in rare call
Senior UAE and Iranian officials held a call to discuss de-escalation on Wednesday, UAE state media reported, the first high-level call since ties deteriorated over the US-Iran war.
· Middleeasteye
China’s Xi Jinping tells Vietnamese counterpart they should ‘jointly oppose unilateralism’
On To Lam’s state visit, Chinese president also urges keeping ‘supply chains stable and unimpeded’ as Iran war deepens global energy crisis
· Meredith Chen
China’s Xi Jinping tells Vietnamese counterpart they should ‘jointly oppose unilateralism’
On To Lam’s state visit, Chinese president also urges keeping ‘supply chains stable and unimpeded’ as Iran war deepens global energy crisis
· Meredith Chen
Short-term gains for China from US-Iran war may turn to longer-term pain
Beijing may be reaping some diplomatic benefit but Trump’s war holds risks for its energy security and economy
· Amy Hawkins
Iran war 'very close to over,' Trump says — and the stock market 'is going to boom'
The Iran war is "very close to over" with authorities in Tehran eager to agree a peace deal, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in an interview broadcast Wednesday.
· Holly Ellyatt
How Israel and the US are losing the broader battle against Iran
As the US-Israeli war on Iran has temporarily halted, the question of victory and defeat is fuelling debate across traditional and social media, as well as in political discourse.
· Middleeasteye
Republicans struggle to highlight Trump’s cuts as Americans see little effect on Tax Day – US politics live
Republicans had hoped that Trump’s 2025 tax cuts would be at the forefront of voters’ minds, but many have reportedly not noticed a difference
· Tom Ambrose
Trump vowed peace in the Middle East. In Dearborn, it feels farther away
Hyam Bazzi does her evening prayer as a Alghad TV newscast showing destruction from the Iran war in Lebanon plays in the background, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Dearborn Heights, Mich. Bazzi, who moved to the United States when she was eleven months old, still has friends and family in Lebanon. (AP Photo/Julia Demar…
· Joey Cappelletti
Erdogan says Turkey working to extend Iran ceasefire, continue talks
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara was working to extend a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, ease tensions and ensure the continuation of talks, and added that Turkey was hopeful of negotiations despite issues.
· Middleeasteye
War with the United States draws attention to Iran in Group G
Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei, center, and Iran’s Football Federation Vice President Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, left, hold pictures of children allegedly killed in a U.S. and Israel strikes in Iran, before an international friendly soccer match between Iran and Costa Rica, in Antalya, southern Turkey, Tuesday, March 31, 202…
· Anne M Peterson
Haitian factory workers protest for higher wages as oil prices surge
Hundreds of factory workers protested Tuesday in Haiti’s capital, demanding a higher minimum wage as the conflict in Iran deepens and drives up oil prices across the globe.
· AfricaNews
Iran seeking dialogue, not war, President Pezeshkian says
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country is not seeking war but dialogue, and that any attempt by the United States to impose its will or force Iran to surrender would fail, the IRNA news agency reported.
· Middleeasteye
UAE food industry unites as restaurants aim to bounce back from Iran war | The National
UAE restaurants grappling with rising food costs and a drop in trade due to the challenges of the Iran war are being given a lifeline by industry leaders stepping in to serve up crucial support.
· Katy Gillett
Europe Drafts Pie In The Sky Plan To Free Up Hormuz Without 'Belligerent' Parties
This is quite the ambitious headline revealing the latest 'plan' for Hormuz to come out of Europe, as it sits on the sidelines watching the US get potentially bogged down in the region following a month of heavy airstrikes on Iran: Europe drafts postwar plan to free up Strait of Hormuz without US, WSJ reports.
· Tyler Durden
US destroyer interdicts two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran: Official
A US destroyer interdicted two oil tankers attempting to leave Iran on Tuesday, a day after President Trump’s blockade went into effect, and instructed them to turn around, a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
· Reuters
Russia offers China energy lifeline as the Iran war strangles global supply
Russia has offered to help China with any potential energy shortfall, as the war in the Middle East heightens geopolitical divisions and threatens global commodity supplies.
· Holly Ellyatt
India's oil companies absorb big losses to cushion Iran fuel shock
People queue for gasoline in Ahmedabad, India, on March 24. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
Overseas visitors to Japan rose 3.5% in March despite Iran war
March is always a popular month for travel to Japan with tourists attracted by blooming cherry blossoms © Reuters
· Staff Writer
Iran citizen held in France over pro-Palestine comments returns home
Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari has returned home after being held in France for more than a year as part of what appears to be an exchange of detainees between the countries.
· Al Jazeera Staff