Fast, factual wire coverage from across Malaysia and the region.
Oil prices rose over 1% on Tuesday as negotiations between the United States and Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz stalled, with Washington demanding Iranian compensation for war damages, clouding prospects for a deal.
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pressed Oman to guarantee unobstructed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for regional trade and energy supplies, as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has demanded international legal proceedings against the United States for damage inflicted on Iran's transport infrastructure, characterising the attacks as war crimes and ordering accelerated reconstruction efforts.
Kuwait's military activated air defence systems to intercept incoming missiles and drones as regional tensions between Iran and the United States intensify, with strikes affecting multiple Gulf states.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed two oil tankers were damaged by mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, alleging the US encouraged the vessels into the area. The incident marks another escalation in regional tensions.
A Thai-flagged vessel was reportedly attacked by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz as escalating military exchanges between Washington and Tehran threaten critical global shipping lanes and regional stability.
Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait issued urgent security alerts Friday as Kuwait's air defences responded to incoming missile and drone attacks, marking an escalation in Gulf tensions tied to broader Iran-US hostilities.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned of potentially catastrophic consequences from escalating military tensions in the Gulf region, urging Iran and the United States to resume negotiations immediately.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued an urgent appeal for all parties to halt military operations in the Gulf region and return to diplomatic negotiations, warning that continued hostilities threaten global economic stability.
The UAE successfully intercepted Iranian missiles and drones in early July, prompting Qatar and Bahrain to issue public safety warnings. The incident reflects escalating military tensions between Iran and US forces across the Gulf region.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has declared that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will only reopen under Iranian conditions, dismissing recent US military strikes as ineffective coercion.
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Iran's military has declared all US military installations across the Middle East as 'legitimate targets' for its drone fleet, warning of consequences if Washington persists in what Tehran describes as ceasefire agreement violations.