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HYDERABAD: India on Tuesday issued a new advisory to its citizens in Iran to stay indoors and avoid upper floors of buildings. The Indian government had previously asked its citizens to leave Iran due to the ongoing war. "Following the previous advisory, Indian nationals still in Iran must remain in their respective locations for the next 48 hours, stay away from all electrical appliances, military facilities and upper floors of high-rise buildings, remain indoors, and coordinate any movement on highways transparently with the Embassy," the Indian Embassy said in a statement. The new advice comes as Israel and the United States threaten to destroy power plants, bridges, rail infrastructure and other public facilities in Iran. -- BERNAMA

India requested citizens in Iran to stay indoors for 48 hours

HYDERABAD: India on Tuesday issued a new advisory to its citizens in Iran to stay indoors and avoid upper floors of buildings. The Indian government had previously asked its citizens .... read more

WASHINGTON: United States President (Donald Trump) claims to have agreed to suspend military strikes against Iran for a period of two weeks, subject to the full and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic. Trump announced the matter through a post on social media on Wednesday, following his conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir. According to Trump, the decision was also made at the request of the Pakistani leadership for the United States to postpone the "use of destructive force" that was allegedly planned against Iran that same night. "This will be a bilateral ceasefire," Trump said, noting that the United States had achieved all of its military objectives. In the same statement, Trump also claimed that negotiations towards a long-term peace agreement between Washington and Tehran are now in the final stages. He said Iran had submitted a proposal of 10 points that were considered to have a solid basis for finalization, besides claiming that most of the past issues of dispute between the two countries had been agreed upon. Trump added that the two-week period was needed to finalize the agreement to ensure peace not only between the United States and Iran, but also stability in West Asia. However, so far, no official confirmation has been issued by Iran or US government agencies regarding the allegations. --ASTRO AWANI

Trump agrees to suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks

WASHINGTON: United States President (Donald Trump) claims to have agreed to suspend military strikes against Iran for a period of two weeks, subject to the full and safe opening of .... read more

TEHRAN: Iran announced a formal agreement to implement a ceasefire and allow the conditional opening of the Strait of Hormuz, if all forms of attacks against the country are stopped. The matter was announced by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, thus confirming Tehran's stance on efforts to ease military tensions in the region. According to him, Iran is ready to implement a ceasefire if no further attacks are launched against the country. For a period of two weeks, he said, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed for ships passing through the strategic waters. "It will be implemented through coordination with the Iranian Armed Forces and taking into account existing technical constraints and limitations," he said. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical shipping route for global oil trade and any disruption to it has the potential to have a major impact on the world economy. Iran's announcement comes as international diplomatic efforts are underway to reduce tensions in West Asia, particularly following military threats and prolonged conflicts involving several countries in the region. Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced his willingness to suspend military strikes against Iran for a period of two weeks, subject to the full and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran --ASTRO AWANI

West Asia conflict: Iran agrees to ceasefire, opens Strait of Hormuz if attacks stop

TEHRAN: Iran announced a formal agreement to implement a ceasefire and allow the conditional opening of the Strait of Hormuz, if all forms of attacks against the country are stopped. .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday expressed Malaysia’s appreciation to Iran for facilitating the passage of Malaysian oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia. The matter was conveyed during a meeting with the Ambassador of Iran to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi, held on the sidelines of the Kuala Lumpur–Ankara Dialogue earlier today. Anwar noted that the decision by Iran comes at a critical time, as tensions in the region continue to impact global energy markets and supply chains. “In the current climate of uncertainty following the West Asia crisis, Malaysia highly values Iran’s decision to allow our oil vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. He added that the move plays a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of the nation’s energy supply, while also helping to ease pressure on the cost of living and supporting overall economic stability. The Prime Minister emphasised that Malaysia remains committed to strengthening diplomatic ties and cooperation with international partners to safeguard national interests, particularly in times of global uncertainty. --Minutes MY / Igneseous Noris --Photo: FB Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia Appreciates Iran’s Support in Ensuring Energy Security – PM Anwar Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday expressed Malaysia’s appreciation to Iran for facilitating the passage of Malaysian oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid .... read more

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Monday repeated criticism of Japan, South Korea, Australia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for not providing naval assistance to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Kyodo reported that during a press conference at the White House, Trump complained that Japan and South Korea were “not helping” despite the presence of tens of thousands of US troops in both countries to protect them from North Korea, which he said has “many nuclear weapons.” Trump's suggestion that US military support for the two key allies in Asia, as well as Australia, should be reciprocated, came after he once again described NATO as cowardly. Instead, Trump praised several countries in West Asia including Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia as "good" partners to the United States since the country and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28. While repeating his threats against Iran, Trump insisted that the United States had already won the war militarily. He said unless Tehran reaches a deal with Washington, Iran's critical infrastructure could be destroyed within four hours. Trump set Tuesday at 8pm in Washington as a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital to global oil supplies. Tehran has largely blocked the strait since the war began, affecting energy markets. Reopening the shipping lanes, Trump said, is a "huge priority." "We have to have an agreement that I can accept and part of that agreement is that we want free passage for oil and everything." "(Otherwise,) we have a plan due to our military strength, with every bridge in Iran being completely destroyed by 12 midnight tomorrow, and every power plant in Iran being crippled, burning, exploding, and no longer usable," he said. Speaking with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe, the president said the United States was actually more willing to not destroy Iran's critical infrastructure. “It would take them 100 years to rebuild now. "If we leave today, it will take them 20 years to rebuild their country, and it will not be as good as before. "The only way they can rebuild their country is by leveraging the ingenuity of the United States," Trump said. Earlier in the day, Iran's official news agency, IRNA, said the country wanted a permanent end to the war, not a ceasefire. Rejecting Washington's 15-point ceasefire proposal, which the news agency said was conveyed through Pakistan, Iran presented its own 10-point plan, including a framework to end regional hostilities and ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway. In comments at a separate event before the press conference, Trump described Iran's proposed response as an "important step" but not yet enough.

Trump repeats criticism of Japan, South Korea for not helping in Iran war

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Monday repeated criticism of Japan, South Korea, Australia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for not providing naval assistance to help reopen the Strait .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 -- The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday confirmed that one of the seven Malaysian-owned commercial vessels previously stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the evolving regional situation has been granted safe passage and is currently proceeding to its final destination. In a statement, the ministry also known as Wisma Putra said that the positive outcome follows high-level diplomatic engagements. This include constructive telephone conversations between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on March 26, and between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi on March 24. “Malaysia remains firmly committed to the principle of freedom of navigation, safety and security of maritime passage, in accordance with international law. “Malaysia also reiterates the importance of continued dialogue and diplomatic engagement in addressing regional challenges and maintaining peace and stability,” the statement said. On Monday, the Iran Embassy in Malaysia said that the first Malaysian ship has passed through the Strait of Hormuz. “We had said that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not forget its friends,” the embassy posted on the X platform.

Malaysia Secures Safe Passage For vessels in Strait Of Hormuz – Wisma Putra

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 — The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday confirmed that one of the seven Malaysian-owned commercial vessels previously stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the evolving .... read more

NEW YORK/LONDON, April 6 -- Oil prices rose at the start of the week after US President Donald Trump threatened further military action against Iran, heightening fears of supply disruptions, reported German news agency dpa. Brent crude for delivery in June climbed above US$111 a barrel, nearly US$40 higher than before the outbreak of the conflict. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also gained. Trump warned Tehran of severe consequences if it failed to comply with US demands by Tuesday 8 pm (0000 GMT Wednesday). The ultimatum, tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, appears to have been extended for a third time, though Washington has intensified its rhetoric. Trump told the Wall Street Journal that "if they don't do something by Tuesday evening, they won't have any power plants and they won't have any bridges standing." In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: "Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!" Meanwhile, eight countries forming the core of the OPEC+ group of oil producers said they were deeply concerned about Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure, warning that repairs to damaged facilities would be costly and time-consuming, undermining supply security. They also highlighted the "critical importance of safeguarding international maritime routes to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy" - a reference to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked in reaction to US-Israeli attacks. At the same time, the group — including countries heavily exposed to the conflict such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates — said they would modestly increase output. Daily production is set to rise by 206,000 barrels in May, they said. --BERNAMA-dpa

Oil Prices Jump As Trump Ramps Up Threats Against Iran

NEW YORK/LONDON, April 6 — Oil prices rose at the start of the week after US President Donald Trump threatened further military action against Iran, heightening fears of supply disruptions, .... read more

ISTANBUL: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US had rescued a "seriously injured and very brave" F-15 fighter jet crew from a mountainous region in Iran, Anadolu Agency reported . Trump said on his Truth Social social media platform that the rescued officer was a “highly respected Colonel,” adding that such operations are “rarely undertaken due to the risk to personnel and equipment.” "The second rescue operation was carried out after the first operation, when we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, which was also extraordinary, spending seven hours in Iranian airspace. An operation that showed extraordinary courage and expertise by all parties!" he said. "I will hold a press conference with the military in the Oval Office, White House on Monday, at 1 pm," he added. Trump earlier on Sunday said the US had rescued a military officer in "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US history." Noting that the officer was injured, Trump said he "will be fine." He said the mission followed a separate operation to rescue another US pilot on Friday, which was not announced in advance to avoid affecting the second operation. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

US rescues “severely injured, very brave” F-15 fighter jet crew from Iran – Trump

ISTANBUL: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US had rescued a “seriously injured and very brave” F-15 fighter jet crew from a mountainous region in Iran, Anadolu .... read more

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said on Thursday that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz must be de-escalated, stressing that military approaches alone are ineffective and that practical maritime solutions are needed to resolve the crisis, reported Xinhua. According to a press briefing on the International Maritime Organisation website, Dominguez made the remarks during a virtual meeting on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, hosted by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and attended by foreign ministers from more than 40 countries. During the meeting, Dominguez briefed participants on the IMO’s ongoing efforts, urging countries to back diplomatic initiatives to evacuate around 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf and to establish humanitarian corridors for urgent aid. Following the meeting, Dominguez said that fragmented responses are no longer sufficient to resolve the crisis. "What is urgently required is diplomatic engagement, practical and neutral solutions, and coordinated international action," he noted. He added that the IMO is advancing a maritime evacuation framework based on cooperation among coastal states, security guarantees, and operational coordination, with the clear objective of releasing stranded vessels, enabling safe crew rotations, and preventing an environmental disaster. Since the outbreak of the conflict on Feb. 28, when the United States (US) and Israel launched large-scale military operations against Iran, the IMO has reported 21 attacks on commercial vessels. These incidents have resulted in the deaths of 10 seafarers, with several others seriously injured. Following an extraordinary session of the IMO Council on March 18–19, the body outlined several key measures, including progressing talks with relevant states on a safe-passage framework to evacuate stranded seafarers, working with regional countries to safeguard supply chains and enable humanitarian access, and strengthening information-sharing and coordination with industry partners. The organisation has also strengthened data collection and verification on maritime incidents, while contributing to a dedicated United Nations (UN) task force on the Strait of Hormuz aimed at addressing humanitarian needs through coordinated technical mechanisms.

IMO Chief: Military Alone Won’t Solve Hormuz Crisis

LONDON, April 3 — International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said on Thursday that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz must be de-escalated, stressing that military approaches alone are .... read more

Xinhua Silk Road: “Smart City” Development and Innovation Competition concludes in S. China’s Guangxi

BEIJING, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The “Smart City” Development and Innovation Competition was held in Nanning in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on March 30, with 37 teams .... read more