live U.S. and Iran trade threats as World focus' on reopening Strait of Hormuz - Middle East conflict on 3 April
Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and ...
Uzbekistan's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has held a series of high-level meetings in the U.S. aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
Bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and the U.S. exceeded $1 billion last year, with about 340 American companies currently operating in the Uzbek market. A three-year, $35 billion economic co-operation programme is already in place, forming the foundation for expanded collaboration.
During the visit, Mirziyoyev held talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, where the sides reviewed practical steps to advance their strategic partnership and priority investment projects in energy, critical minerals, transport, agriculture and information technology.
He also met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss expanding trade volumes and advancing Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The U.S. side reiterated engagement on supporting the accession process.
The parties also proposed intensifying cooperation under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) between the United States and Central Asia.
Particular attention was paid to strengthening direct business contacts between U.S. partners and Uzbek regions.
In meetings with John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Eximbank), and Ben Black, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the sides discussed expanding financing for major industrial and infrastructure projects, as well as supporting the supply of high-tech equipment.
An agreement on the creation of a joint Investment Platform between Uzbekistan and the United States was exchanged during the visit.
Officials described the platform as a mechanism for systematically advancing priority projects and mobilising long-term capital.
Mirziyoyev invited U.S. partners to participate in the upcoming Tashkent International Investment Forum.
During a signing ceremony attended by representatives of leading U.S. companies, bilateral documents were concluded in areas including critical minerals, energy infrastructure, irrigation technologies, agriculture, financial markets and the development of fuel retail networks.
The President emphasised that economic cooperation remains a central pillar of Uzbekistan–U.S. strategic relations, highlighting reliability, predictability and long-term partnership as guiding principles.
Mirziyoyev also participated in the inaugural Peace Council meeting on Gaza, chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and attended by leaders from multiple countries.
The discussions focused on humanitarian assistance, reconstruction and long-term stability in Gaza.
Mirziyoyev expressed Uzbekistan’s readiness to contribute to rebuilding efforts, including housing, schools and medical facilities, while stressing that any external governance mechanism must rely on the support of the local population.
A declaration supporting the activities of the Peace Council was signed at the conclusion of the meeting.
Fears of wider escalation grow despite President Donald Trump saying U.S. strikes on Iran could end within weeks. Meanwhile missile attacks, tanker incidents and rising casualties across Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf heighten risks to regional stability and energy routes.
There are fears of an oil spill after a drone strike hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai on Tuesday, while U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran reportedly killed at least two people. A loud explosion was heard in Beirut in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, as oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel.
Four astronauts blasted off from Florida on Wednesday on NASA's Artemis II mission, a high-stakes voyage around the moon that marks the United States' boldest step yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade in a race with China.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck in Indonesia's Northern Molucca Sea on Thursday, killing one person, damaging some buildings and triggering tsunami waves, authorities and witnesses said.
President Donald Trump staunchly defended his handling of the month-old U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in a prime-time address on Wednesday, saying the U.S. military was nearing completion of its mission while also reinforcing his threats to bomb the Islamic Republic back to the Stone Age.
Former Kyrgyz MP Shairbek Tashiev has been detained in a corruption investigation linked to state oil firm Kyrgyzneftegaz, as the case expands to include members of a powerful political family.
Afghanistan remains the third most affected country globally for unexploded ordnance casualties, with more than 50 people killed or injured each month, a United Nations official has said.
Leading Turkish official Fuat Oktay this week called for the dismantling of Israel’s alleged nuclear weapons stockpile. The head of parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee said Israel’s nuclear capability should be “eliminated as soon as possible”.
Fresh Houthi missile and drone strikes on Israel mark a significant widening of the Iran-centred conflict, raising fears the Yemen-based group could open a new front. Their position near the Bab el-Mandeb strait also threatens global shipping and energy flows.
Pakistan is holding talks with Afghanistan to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
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