The U.S. and Iran have given mixed signals about progress in peace talks, after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been “some progress,” while Iran’s Foreign Ministry said major differences remained.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Washington was prepared to launch further attacks on Tehran if Iran rejected a peace deal. However, he added that the U.S. could wait a few days to “get the right answers."
Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to accelerate peace talks between the United States and Iran, as Tehran reviews Washington’s latest proposals and U.S. President Donald Trump signals he is prepared to wait only a few days for what he called the “right answers.”
Demand for electric vehicles has surged across Europe as elevated fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict push consumers toward new and second-hand EVs, according to data shared with Reuters. It is providing a boost to an auto industry that has struggled with slower-than-expected adoption.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and German counterpart Johann Wadephul said Monday that Ankara and Berlin are both keen to deepen strategic cooperation.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal to Washington, and that there was now a "very good chance" of reaching a deal limiting Iran's nuclear programme.
The United States cast Israel-Lebanon talks held in Washington on Thursday as "productive and positive" and a State Department official said more discussions aimed at ending their conflict will continue on Friday.
European stock markets edged higher on Thursday (14 May) as technology shares boosted sentiment, although investors remained cautious over stalled U.S.-Iran talks and a closely watched summit between Washington and Beijing.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not think he will need China's help to end the war with Iran as he left for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Tuesday, as hopes for a lasting peace deal dwindled and Tehran tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his motorcade to save fuel, a government source said on Wednesday, days after urging citizens to adopt austerity measures amid surging energy prices linked to the Iran war.
Japan’s first import of crude oil from Azerbaijan has highlighted the country’s energy vulnerability and renewed efforts to diversify supply chains beyond the Middle East, according to Professor Sejiro Takeshita of the University of Shizuoka.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital maritime chokepoint and serves as the primary artery linking the Persian Gulf to international energy markets. With approximately 20% of global oil and gas shipments transiting this waterway, it is the backbone of energy security for Asia, Europe, and beyond.
Türkiye is urging Washington and Tehran to turn their fragile truce into a permanent ceasefire, as analysts say Ankara is seeking to use its geopolitical position to prevent a wider regional conflict.
Iran confirmed on Friday its Armed Forces responded to, what Tehran is calling, the U.S. Navy’s violation of the ceasefire. It said Iranian ships and civilian areas were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening.
U.S. ally the United Arab Emirates said its air defences were engaging missile and drone threats from Iran early on Friday in a further test of the shaky, month-long ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
Shipping group Maersk beat first-quarter profit forecasts on Thursday but warned that the Iran war had pushed its fuel costs up by around $500 million a month, adding that the energy crisis would persist even if a peace deal were reached.
Israel carried out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday evening, the first such attack there since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Lebanon took effect on 16 April, according to the Lebanese broadcaster al‑Jadeed.
Recent developments across the Middle East show political messaging is moving beyond traditional channels, with public art and AI-generated content reshaping how conflicts are portrayed and consumed online.
Kazakhstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and other key OPEC+ countries have agreed a paper-based modest oil output hike for next month, raising the output targets to 188,000 barrels a day in June.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain elevated after renewed warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump that military action against Iran has not been ruled out, alongside claims that Iranian leadership is eager to reach a deal.
The Iranian leaders have commemorated the National Day of Persian Gulf stressing Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S. maritime blockade of Iran’s southern ports, a fragile ceasefire, and stalled negotiations.
Profits for worldwide energy company TotalEnergies have risen 41% in three months, as global energy supplies are disrupted after two months of war and oil prices have increased by 3%.
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has asserted Tehran’s right to respond after accusing the U.S. of “state-sponsored piracy” following the seizure of two oil tankers.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Russia on Monday for a diplomatic visit to shore up support after two months of conflict. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks described by Moscow as “useful”.
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