AnewZ Morning Brief - 22 April, 2026
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“Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel," a spokesman for the Iranian Army warned the world on Wednesday (11 March), as attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz escalated. Meanwhile, 32 countries agreed to the largest ever release of oil reserves in an attempt to reduce prices.
Iranian Army Spokesman, Ebrahim Zolfaqri, warned the world to prepare for oil to climb to $200 a barrel on Wednesday. In words directed at Washington, he added: "The oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilised."
His remarks came as three ships were reportedly struck in the critical Strait of Hormuz sea passage, including the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree, which was seen smoking after being struck by an object.

Nations belonging to the International Energy Agency agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil in efforts aimed at bringing down the price of crude oil, which has soared since conflict broke out between Iran, the U.S. and Israel.
The proposed discharge is in excess of the 182 million barrels of oil that IEA nations put onto the market in two stages in 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshian told Iranian news agency ISNA that Mojtaba Khamenei was in good health, despite earlier reports he had been injured during U.S.Israel airstrikes.
Earlier, an unnamed Iranian official told Reuters that the 56-year-old Supreme Leader was ‘lightly injured but continuing to operate’.
During a visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, President of the EU Council Antonio Costa said he “condemned in the strongest terms” the recent Iranian attack on Nakhchivan Airport.
Speaking at a press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Costa added: “The European Union remains committed to working with all partners through dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and protect civilians.”
A player from the Iranian women’s team has decided to go back to Iran, despite being granted a humanitarian visa in Australia.
The player was among five members of the team who sought asylum in Australia, after they were labelled “traitors” by Iranian state media for refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem at the start of a Women’s Asian Cup game last week.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.
A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in Kyiv on Saturday (18 April) had quarrelled with his neighbour before he opened fire on passersby, public broadcaster Suspilne cited Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as saying on Tuesday.
Hezbollah said it launched rockets and drones into northern Israel on Tuesday (21 April), accusing Israeli forces of violating a ceasefire agreed last week. In a statement, Hezbollah said it targeted a position that had been used to strike southern Lebanon.
Israel’s military has removed two soldiers from combat duty and sentenced them to 30 days in detention after a crucifix was damaged in the village of Debel, southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s prime minister met French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday to discuss strengthening Beirut’s position ahead of possible direct talks with Israel in the U.S. later this week.
Türkiye has delivered 360 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lebanon’s Port of Beirut as ongoing Israeli attacks continue to displace civilians, particularly in the country’s south.
Kazakhstan and Mongolia have agreed to expand trade, energy and transport cooperation following high-level talks between their leaders in Astana.
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