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 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

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 […]

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 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

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 […]

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 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.

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 […]

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, 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

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 […]

Trump Says US Will ‘Leave’ Iran In 2-3 Weeks

WASHINGTON, April 1 -- US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that American forces will leave Iran within “two to three weeks", signalling an end to the ongoing attacks against Iran, Anadolu Ajansi reported. “All I have to do is leave Iran, and we’ll be doing that very soon,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We’ll be leaving very soon,” he said, adding that it will happen in “maybe two weeks, maybe three.” He claimed the administration’s objective of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon has already been achieved, saying, "They will have no nuclear weapon. And that goal has been attained.” Trump also argued that US strikes had severely degraded Iran’s military capabilities, asserting it could take “15 to 20 years” for Tehran to rebuild. “We'll be leaving very soon, and if France or some other country wants to get oil or gas, they'll go up through the Strait,” he said. “They'll be able to fend for themselves. I think it'll be very safe, actually, but we have nothing to do with that.” The US and Israel have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people so far, according to Iranian authorities. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. At least 13 US service members have been killed since the war began, according to US official figures, and the conflict has driven up energy prices and affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical global oil chokepoint, with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through it.

WASHINGTON, April 1 — US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that American forces will leave Iran within “two to three weeks”, signalling an end to the ongoing attacks against Iran, Anadolu Ajansi reported. “All I have to do is leave Iran, and we’ll be doing that very soon,” Trump told reporters at the White House. […]

Explosions Rock Iranian Capital Amid US-Israel Attacks

TEHRAN March 28 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- A series of explosions struck Iran’s capital early Saturday as the city came under United States (US) and Israeli attacks, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Severe explosions were reported in the northeastern areas of the city. Flashes were seen lighting up the sky, while smoke was observed rising from affected areas. Iran’s air defence systems were activated following the attacks. Iranian media also reported brief power outages in some parts of the city. Hostilities in the region have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb 28. Tehran has retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, inflicting casualties and infrastructure damage, while disrupting global markets and aviation. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

TEHRAN — A series of explosions struck Iran’s capital early Saturday as the city came under United States (US) and Israeli attacks, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Severe explosions were reported in the northeastern areas of the city. Flashes were seen lighting up the sky, while smoke was observed rising from affected areas. Iran’s air defence […]

Trump Delays Iran Energy Strike Deadline Until April 6

WASHINGTON, March 27 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is delaying his deadline to bomb Iran's energy infrastructure until April 6, citing progress in negotiations, Anadolu Ajansi reported. "As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well," he added. Trump signalled uncertainty earlier about whether the US is willing to strike a deal with Iran, even as he claimed Tehran is eager to negotiate. “They're not fools. They're very smart, actually, in a certain way. And they're great negotiators," he said at a Cabinet meeting at the White House, but called the Iranian side "lousy fighters." Iran is "begging" to make a deal, he added. "They're great negotiators, and they are begging to work out a deal. I don't know if we'll be able to do that. I don't know if we're willing to do that," he said. Trump boasted about eliminating Iran's entire leadership and said survivors are unable to communicate. Indicating that he is "the opposite of desperate" to make a deal with Tehran, he said, "In fact, we have other targets we want to hit before we leave. We're hitting them on a daily basis." Regional tensions have escalated since Feb. 28, when the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran that has killed more than 1,340 people so far, including then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets. Thirteen US service members have been killed and around 290 others have been injured since the operation began.

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is delaying his deadline to bomb Iran’s energy infrastructure until April 6, citing progress in negotiations, Anadolu Ajansi reported. “As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to […]

1 million Iranian troops ready to face US ground attack

TEHRAN: Iran has reportedly mobilized more than a million military personnel in preparation for a possible US ground attack, a military source told the Tasnim news agency. Speculation about Washington's potential "historic mistake" of launching an invasion from southern Iran is said to have sparked a wave of preparedness among the country's ground forces. According to the source, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army have received a large influx of applications from youth who want to join the national defense. "If the US chooses the suicidal tactic of opening the Strait of Hormuz, we are ready. Whether they want to implement that strategy or leave the strait closed, the decision is in their hands," the source said. Tensions escalated after the US and Israel launched a massive military operation against Iran following the assassination of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several military commanders and civilians on February 28. Airstrikes targeting military and civilian facilities across Iran reportedly resulted in heavy casualties and widespread infrastructure damage. In response, the Iranian armed forces launched counterattacks using missiles and drones against US and Israeli targets in the occupied territories and regional bases.

TEHRAN: Iran has reportedly mobilized more than a million military personnel in preparation for a possible US ground attack, a military source told the Tasnim news agency. Speculation about Washington’s potential “historic mistake” of launching an invasion from southern Iran is said to have sparked a wave of preparedness among the country’s ground forces. According […]

Australia Bans Iranian Visitors Amid Middle East Conflict, Citing Visa Risks

SYDNEY — The Australian government announced on Thursday a six-month ban on visitors holding Iranian passports, citing heightened risks that temporary visa holders may refuse or be unable to return home amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. The Department of Home Affairs said the ban applies to individuals seeking to enter Australia for tourism or work purposes, with some exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis, such as parents of Australian citizens. “The conflict in Iran has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unwilling to leave Australia when their visa expires,” the department said in a statement. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that visitor visas issued prior to the conflict would likely not be approved now. “The decision to settle permanently in Australia should be made in a planned manner by the government, not a random consequence of who books a holiday,” he said. Australia is home to over 85,000 people born in Iran, with significant diaspora communities in Sydney and Melbourne. Tensions between the two countries escalated earlier this month when Australia granted asylum to seven members of an Iranian women’s soccer team visiting the country. The players were branded “traitors” in Iran after refusing to sing the national anthem before an Asian Cup match — a protest against the Islamic Republic. Five of the seven individuals later withdrew their asylum applications, amid concerns that their families may have faced pressure or threats from Iranian authorities.

SYDNEY — The Australian government announced on Thursday a six-month ban on visitors holding Iranian passports, citing heightened risks that temporary visa holders may refuse or be unable to return home amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. The Department of Home Affairs said the ban applies to individuals seeking to enter Australia for tourism or […]