LiveTrump says US wants Iran’s oil, could seize Kharg Island: Report
08:23
Trump says he wants Iran’s oil, could seize Kharg Island: Report
US President Donald Trump said the US could seize the export hub of Kharg Island, adding that it could “take the oil in Iran” in an interview with Financial Times published on Sunday.
“To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran,” said Mr Trump, comparing the potential move to Venezuela, where the US intends to control the oil industry “indefinitely”.
He added that indirect talks between the US and Iran via Pakistan were progressing well.
The US President noted that the number of Pakistan-flagged oil tankers Iran permitted through the Strait of Hormuz had now been doubled to 20.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had said in a post on Sunday on social media platform X that Iran had agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
08:00
Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei thanks Iraq in latest written message
Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has in a written message thanked the people of Iraq for their support in the war against the US and Israel, Iranian media said on Sunday.
Mr Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei who was killed in an air strike at the start of the war on Feb 28, has still yet to appear in public after being named and has only issued a handful of written statements.
His failure to appear in person has led to intense speculation over his condition and whereabouts, but state television and some Iranian officials have indicated he is recovering from wounds sustained in an air strike.
PHOTO: AFP
07:30
Oil prices jump as Iran conflict widens
Oil prices extended gains on Monday after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis launched over the weekend their first attacks on Israel since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, widening the conflict in the Middle East.
Brent crude futures jumped US$3.16, or 2.81 per cent, to US$115.73 a barrel by 2205 GMT after settling 4.2 per cent higher on Friday.
US West Texas Intermediate was at US$102.77 a barrel, up US$3.13, or 3.14 per cent, following a 5.5 per cent gain in the previous session.
07:00
Netanyahu orders expansion of southern Lebanon military operations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had ordered the military to further expand its operations in southern Lebanon, citing continued rocket fire by Hezbollah.
Israel said last week it was enlarging a “buffer zone” up to the Litani River. It was not immediately clear whether Mr Netanyahu was referring to that area or to the seizure of additional territory.
“I have now instructed to further expand the existing security zone in order to finally thwart the threat of invasion and to push the anti-tank missile fire away from our border,” Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement from Israeli Northern Command.
PHOTO: REUTERS
06:45
Pakistan says it is ready to facilitate US-Iran talks within days
Pakistan’s foreign minister said Islamabad was ready to facilitate peace talks between the US and Iran in the coming days as the war in the Middle East intensified into its fifth week.
“Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate their talks,” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the deputy prime minister, said in a televised briefing on Sunday.
“Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”
Mr Dar, speaking after meeting the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, didn’t elaborate on the timeline or the likelihood of peace talks’ taking place.
PHOTO: REUTERS
06:30
The situation so far
Pakistan said on Sunday it was preparing to host "meaningful talks" to end the conflict over Iran in coming days even though Tehran earlier accused Washington of preparing a land assault while seeking negotiations.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had ordered the military to further expand its operations in southern Lebanon, citing continued rocket fire by Hezbollah.
The conflict has entered its second month, showing no signs of slowing.
Here's an update of the latest developments:
- Power cuts in Iran
Iran’s energy ministry has reported power outages in Tehran, following what it said were “attacks on electricity industry facilities”. - Pakistan talks
Pakistan said on Sunday that it was ready to broker and host “meaningful talks” between the US and Iran to bring an end to their war, outlining growing support for its peace efforts, including from the United Nations and China. - University hit
A university in Iran’s central city of Isfahan said it was hit by US-Israeli airstrikes for the second time since the war erupted. - Israeli expansion
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered his military to “further expand” a security zone in Lebanon. - 30 days offline
Iran’s nationwide internet blackout has now lasted 30 days, leaving millions cut off from information and communication since the war began.
