ceasefire violations

Oil prices remained elevated as markets awaited confirmation of a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, with Brent crude trading near $100 per barrel. Asian shares rose, led by Japan's Nikkei hitting a record high, though caution persisted regarding the impact of the ongoing conflict on global energy markets.

A pre-dawn Israeli airstrike killed three members of a Palestinian family, including a one-year-old child, in central Gaza on Sunday, a hospital said. At least 890 Palestinians have been killed since the October 10 ceasefire, according to Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the UN. The Israeli military says five of its soldiers have also been during the same period.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday said a return to war with the United States was unlikely, while warning that the Islamic republic stood ready against any attack. "The possibility of war is low because of the enemy's weakness, the armed forces are lying in wait with full magazines," said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy political chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying.

Four Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a war powers resolution against President Trump's actions in Iran, highlighting congressional concerns over his authority. The symbolic vote underscores a growing divide as lawmakers question the administration's transparency and justification for continued military operations. Despite the measure's limited enforcement power, it signals increasing pressure on the White House.

Israeli forces have killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a senior Hamas military commander linked to the October 7 attacks. Haddad, who assumed a key role after Mohammed Sinwar's death, was reportedly involved in holding Israeli hostages. His elimination marks another significant blow to Hamas's leadership amid ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza.

United States military forces boarded an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. This action escalates pressure on Iran. The vessel was searched and redirected. It is the fifth commercial ship intercepted since Washington imposed a blockade on Iranian shipping. This is part of efforts to force Tehran back to negotiations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

On Tuesday, Kyiv was jolted by drone strikes, shattering a fragile three-day ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump. The capital's air raid sirens, silent since Friday, echoed through the streets as Ukrainian defenses sprang into action. Both warring parties had already exchanged blame for previous ceasefire breaches, undermining Trump's hopes for a lasting peace.

Russia resumed attacks on Ukraine with drone strikes on Kyiv as a three-day truce expired, while one person was killed in Dnipropetrovsk. Moscow claims to have downed 27 Ukrainian drones. Despite hopes for peace, both sides accused each other of violations during the ceasefire, with President Zelensky stating fighting continued.

The US expressed deep regret that states party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) failed to reach a consensus on a final document at the conclusion of the 2026 Review Conference, specifically criticising the "inability of some NPT States Parties to take Iran's threat to global nonproliferation seriously," Al Jazeera reported.

The UAE strongly condemned a drone strike on its Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, calling it a dangerous escalation and a threat to regional stability. Saudi Arabia also intercepted drones from Iraq. Amidst rising tensions, US President Trump warned Iran to act swiftly, while Tehran threatened retaliation against perceived US-Israeli aggression.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged some responsibility for the October 7th security failures, stating accountability rests with "everyone" across the establishment. He emphasized focusing on post-attack events and Iran's broader threat, asserting he was previously a restrained leader. The offensive in Gaza has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and destruction.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized "unilateral coercive measures" and sanctions, stating they disproportionately harm developing nations and cannot replace diplomacy. He also voiced concern over the West Asia crisis, emphasizing the need for uninterrupted maritime traffic and a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, advocating for a two-state solution.

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urged BRICS nations to find practical solutions to geopolitical crises, emphasizing the threat to global energy and economic security from West Asian tensions. He stressed dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for sovereignty, while also highlighting concerns over unilateral sanctions, terrorism, and the need for UN Security Council reform.

A fire aboard a wooden dhow near the Strait of Hormuz resulted in the death of one Indian sailor and injuries to four others. Seventeen Indian crew members were rescued by a passing vessel. The incident occurred amidst heightened regional tensions, with recent exchanges between Iran and the United States in the vital shipping lane.

A ceasefire between the US and Iran is reportedly still in place despite an Iranian attack on US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US retaliatory strikes. Both sides accuse the other of initiating the exchange, threatening a fragile truce that ended weeks of conflict. Tensions remain high as negotiations continue.

Kyiv said on Wednesday that Russia had violated a unilateral ceasefire called by Ukraine by attacking Ukrainian cities with 108 combat drones and three missiles overnight. Russia had on Tuesday launched waves of drone, missile and bomb attacks on multiple cities across Ukraine, killing at least 28 people and wounding dozens in one of the deadliest days for civilians in weeks.

Iran has responded to a US ceasefire proposal through Pakistani mediators, seeking a permanent end to regional conflicts and guarantees for maritime security. President Trump rejected Tehran's position, calling it "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" amid rising tensions and drone incidents in the Gulf.

Oil prices surged Friday as US-Iran tensions flared, reversing earlier declines. US strikes on Iranian targets prompted accusations of ceasefire violations, escalating fears over the vital Strait of Hormuz. This geopolitical volatility overshadows concerns about suspicious trading activity linked to policy announcements, impacting global energy supplies and inflation.

President Donald Trump claimed three US destroyers were fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz but suffered no damage, stating Iranian attackers were destroyed. He issued a strong warning to Iran, threatening more violent military action if a deal is not signed quickly, calling the nation 'lunatics'.

The Embassy expressed gratitude to the Lebanese authorities for the smooth exit.

Israel's Navy successfully intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying activists near Crete, preventing any vessels from reaching Palestinian shores. Prime Minister Netanyahu commended the operation, stating all participants were turned back. The US State Department backed Israel's actions, calling the flotilla a counterproductive stunt organized by a pro-Hamas entity.

Following a deadly terror attack in Kashmir, India launched precision strikes on militant camps in Pakistan, escalating tensions to a full military standoff. Despite Pakistan's nuclear threats, India maintained a strong stance, ultimately leading to a ceasefire after significant damage to Pakistani military assets.