Tag: Strait of Hormuz

Vance Says US ‘making Progress’ On Iran Deal

WASHINGTON, May 14 -- US Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that Washington is "making progress" in negotiations with Iran while stressing President Donald Trump's red line that Tehran must never have a nuclear weapon. "I spent a good amount of time on the phone with both Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff this morning and a number of our friends in the Arab world this morning. I think that we are making progress," Anadolu Ajansi reported Vance told reporters when asked if the US is still engaging with the Iranians after Trump called Tehran's response "unacceptable." "The fundamental question is, do we make enough progress that we satisfy the president's red line? And the red line is very simple. He needs to feel confident that we've put a number of protections in place such that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," Vance said. "I thought we made some progress in Pakistan, but we've made more since then," he said. "The President has set us off on the diplomatic pathway for now, and that's what I'm focused on," he added. Asked about Trump's remarks that he does not think about "Americans' financial situation" when negotiating with Iran, Vance responded: "I think that's a misrepresentation of what the president said." "I agree with the president. Iran should not have a nuclear weapon. We're obviously engaged in a very aggressive and very engaged diplomatic process to try to ensure that that doesn't happen," he added. Vance said the ultimate aim was to give the American people assurance that Iran would never obtain nuclear weapons, describing the current diplomatic track as the president's chosen pathway for now. Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb 28, triggering retaliation from Tehran against Israel as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement. The truce was later extended by US President Donald Trump without a set deadline. On Sunday, Iran sent Pakistan its response to a US proposal for ending the war, but Trump dismissed it as “totally unacceptable.” -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

WASHINGTON, May 14 — US Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that Washington is “making progress” in negotiations with Iran while stressing President Donald Trump’s red line that Tehran must never have a nuclear weapon. “I spent a good amount of time on the phone with both Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff this morning and […]

UAE air defenses respond to ‘missile threat’

LONDON: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday said its air defense system was responding to a "missile threat", Anadolu Agency (AA) reported. "Air defense systems are currently responding to the missile threat," the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said via X. NCEMA urged residents to "remain in safe locations and follow official channels for the latest updates." The notice was issued a few hours after the exchange of fire between the United States (US) and Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz.

LONDON: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday said its air defense system was responding to a “missile threat”, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported. “Air defense systems are currently responding to the missile threat,” the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said via X. NCEMA urged residents to “remain in safe locations and follow […]

Trump Says US To Help Escort Neutral Ships Out Of Strait Of Hormuz Starting Monday

ISTANBUL, May 4 -- US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States would begin escorting neutral foreign vessels safely out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning West Asian time, describing the effort as a “humanitarian gesture” toward countries caught up in a conflict they have no part in. Anadolu Ajansi reported Trump said ships from countries around the world had asked the US for help after becoming trapped in the waterway. He said he had instructed his representatives to inform those nations that the US would use its "best efforts" to guide their ships and crews out of the restricted passage, adding the vessels would not return until the area was safe for navigation. Trump named the initiative "Project Freedom," saying many of the stranded ships were running low on food and other essentials needed to keep large crews in healthy condition. "The ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong - They are victims of circumstance," he said. He said the move was “for the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States,” adding that any interference with the humanitarian effort would "have to be dealt with forcefully." Trump also said his representatives are engaging in "very positive" discussions with Iran that he believed "could lead to something very positive for all." Iran did not immediately react to his announcement. The announcement came as Trump told the Israeli media outlet Kan News that he had studied Iran's proposal to end the war and found it unacceptable. "It's not acceptable to me. I've studied it, I've studied everything — it's not acceptable," he said. On Saturday, he had already expressed skepticism, saying Tehran had not yet paid a "big enough price" for its actions over the past 47 years. Despite the public dismissal, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN that Washington remained engaged, Anadolu reported. "We're in conversation," Witkoff said when asked about the state of discussions. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Saturday that Tehran had submitted a 14-point response to a US proposal through a Pakistani intermediary. Iran said Sunday that it had received a US response and was reviewing it. The Axios news site reported that the US on Sunday submitted a newly revised draft agreement aimed at ending the war in response to Iran’s latest proposal. The war paused after a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire took hold in early April and was later extended indefinitely. Peace talks were held in Islamabad last month, but an agreement was not reached, and another round could not be arranged. Trump said "we're not flying anymore with 18-hour flights every time we want to see a piece of paper. We're doing it telephonically.” -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

ISTANBUL, May 4 — US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States would begin escorting neutral foreign vessels safely out of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning West Asian time, describing the effort as a “humanitarian gesture” toward countries caught up in a conflict they have no part in. Anadolu Ajansi reported […]

Oil Prices Rise 8 Pct After Trump Announces Blockade Of Strait Of Hormuz

MOSCOW, April 13 - Global oil prices jumped 8 per cent after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude exceeding US$102 per barrel, according to trading data, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti. As of 22:01 GMT Sunday, June Brent crude futures were trading up 7.76 per cent from the previous close at US$102.59 per barrel, while May WTI futures were up 8.2 per cent at US$104.51. On Saturday, Iran and the US began talks in Islamabad after Trump announced an agreement with Tehran on a two-week ceasefire on Wednesday night. On Sunday morning, the head of the US delegation, Vice President J.D. Vance, announced that Iran and the US had failed to reach an agreement during protracted negotiations and that the US delegation would return home without a deal. On Sunday, Trump announced that the US would begin a blockade of all vessels attempting to enter and exit the Strait of Hormuz. He also instructed the US Navy to track and intercept all vessels that paid Iran to pass through the strait. US Central Command pledged to begin a blockade of "all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports" at 14:00 GMT on April 13. --BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI

MOSCOW, April 13 – Global oil prices jumped 8 per cent after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude exceeding US$102 per barrel, according to trading data, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti. As of 22:01 GMT Sunday, June Brent crude futures were trading up 7.76 per cent from the […]

Oil prices fall below US$100 per barrel driven by ceasefire talks

KUALA LUMPUR: Oil prices fell below US$100 per barrel after the United States (US) and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire plan in exchange for Tehran allowing safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz. So far, Brent crude oil has fallen 13.20 percent to US$94.85 while West Texas Intermediate has fallen 14.58 percent to US$96.48 per barrel. SPI Asset Management Managing Partner Stephen Innes told Bernama: “What we are seeing now is not a structural change but more of a mechanical reduction in the geopolitical risk premium that has been factored in based on a worst-case scenario. "In the near term, oil prices could remain below US$100 but the minimum level is unstable. Without a concrete easing of tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, the risk of another price spike is very high," he said. Innes said the two-week ceasefire plan provided a fresh start. He said the situation gave the market room to reassess the situation but did not resolve the main issue as the lack of real progress in reopening the strait could cause prices to rise again. He said supply-side risks remained due to infrastructure damage which could take several months to repair. At the same time, he said the clear indication is that keeping the strait open to ship movement will greatly help lower prices. In that scenario, he said a return to the US$90 per barrel level would be appropriate if tensions eased and gained momentum. He said a more optimistic outcome depended on continued diplomatic coordination, although this remained uncertain. Meanwhile, he said the market had not fully factored in the expectation that the strait would remain open. Innes said political considerations related to the US midterm elections could curb a prolonged conflict, especially given its position as the world's largest oil producer. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid told Bernama that a two-week ceasefire would allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 percent of global oil supply depends. He said the continued easing of tensions, if achieved, would pave the way for the reconstruction of oil and gas facilities which would help ease supply constraints. "Recovery will happen in stages. What the market wants is certainty that the conflict will end and business can continue." "However, it is still too early. The current situation is very uncertain. Therefore, the expectation is that crude oil prices will remain unstable in the near future," he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Oil prices fell below US$100 per barrel after the United States (US) and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire plan in exchange for Tehran allowing safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz. So far, Brent crude oil has fallen 13.20 percent to US$94.85 while West Texas Intermediate has fallen 14.58 percent […]

No Navy Escort Required For Malaysian Vessels In Strait Of Hormuz – Adly

MELAKA, April 8 -- There is no need for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to escort Malaysian vessels after Iran cleared them to exit the Strait of Hormuz. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said this was due to Iran’s full cooperation, reflecting the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. “The matter falls under the Foreign Ministry, and we are grateful for the cooperation shown by the Iranian government. We hope Iran will continue to assist on issues related to our energy and economic needs,” he said. He was speaking to reporters after launching the Malaysian Armed Forces Autism Initiative (IA-ATM) at the community rehabilitation centre in Umi Kem Terendak, Sungai Udang, today. On Monday, the Iranian Embassy in Malaysia announced via its official X account that the first Malaysian vessel had passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported on Sunday as saying that discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had enabled Malaysia to secure clearance for seven vessels stranded in the strait. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that carries about 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil and gas supply, has been disrupted following ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran since Feb 28. Meanwhile, the IA-ATM programme at Umi Kem Terendak, which started on Aug 4, 2025, will run until June 4, 2026, benefiting 20 children with autism through structured learning and therapy sessions. The programme includes 12 new modules developed by the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM). Also present were Malaysian Armed Forces assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel Services Maj Gen Datuk Indera Zahari Mohd Ariffin, Tabung Haji Southern Region director Rozimin Ahmed Kamil, NASOM chairman Julian Wong Ming Vui, and Melaka Social Welfare Department director Halyjah Muhammad.

MELAKA, April 8 — There is no need for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to escort Malaysian vessels after Iran cleared them to exit the Strait of Hormuz. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said this was due to Iran’s full cooperation, reflecting the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. “The matter falls under the […]

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. 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

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 […]