Iran-Israel Conflict & Global Energy Crisis

4 Apr

New blood pressure drug offers hope for treatment-resistant patients

Scientists unveiled baxdrostat, a new pill that reduces dangerously high blood pressure in patients who fail standard treatments. In global trials, the drug lowered blood pressure by nearly 10 mmHg by targeting salt-retention hormones, potentially preventing heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease in millions of resistant patients.

4 Apr

EU pushes windfall tax on energy firms amid Iran conflict escalation

Five EU finance ministers are demanding windfall profit taxes on energy companies as Iran-Israel tensions drive global fuel prices higher. The officials argue rising energy profits from geopolitical instability unfairly burden European households and businesses already facing inflation pressures.

4 Apr

Bahrain delays UN vote on Iran's Strait of Hormuz control

Bahrain postponed a UN Security Council vote on a resolution addressing Iran's influence over the Strait of Hormuz. The vote, originally scheduled this week, will now occur next week. Diplomats cite ongoing consultations as the reason for the delay.

4 Apr

U.S.-Iran cease-fire talks stall as Iran rejects mediation terms

Iran has rejected U.S. demands and refused to meet American officials in Islamabad for planned cease-fire negotiations, according to Wall Street Journal reports. The breakdown in talks raises tensions in the Middle East and threatens regional stability during an already volatile period.

4 Apr

Iran shows resilience despite military setbacks, analysts warn

Iran demonstrates sustained retaliatory capacity against U.S. and Israeli operations, suggesting long-term strategic competition rather than decisive military victory. Experts debate whether tactical losses translate to strategic defeat, with implications for Middle Eastern stability and energy markets.

4 Apr

U.S. aircraft downed in Persian Gulf; escalation with Iran reported

Iranian state media claims defense forces struck a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft in the Persian Gulf, causing it to crash. At least one crew member remains missing. The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations.

3 Apr

Iran launches missile strikes on Israel, Kuwait amid escalating regional tension

Iran attacked Israel and Gulf states with missiles on Friday, damaging Kuwait's desalination plant and oil refinery. The strikes mark a major escalation in regional hostilities with potential consequences for global energy markets and Indian interests in the Gulf.

3 Apr

Pakistan hikes petrol prices 55% amid Middle East tensions

Pakistan's government raised petrol and diesel prices by 55% to curb fuel consumption and manage reserves during regional instability. The sharp increase reflects currency pressure and geopolitical concerns affecting energy markets across South Asia.

23 Mar

Trump pauses Iran strikes for five days, claims productive talks

President Trump postponed threatened strikes on Iran's power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, citing productive conversations with Tehran. Iran denied any direct talks had taken place, calling it a ploy to calm energy markets. Markets surged and oil prices dropped on the news. The pause creates a narrow diplomatic window as the war enters its fourth week.

23 Mar

Modi tells Parliament: Hormuz closure unacceptable, India prepared

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis for the first time since conflict began on February 28. He said India holds 53 lakh metric tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves, has diversified energy imports from 27 to 41 countries, and is prioritising domestic LPG production. Over 3.75 lakh Indians have returned from the Gulf. Modi called for Parliament to speak in one voice.

23 Mar

Rupee crashes to record low near 94 against the dollar

The Indian rupee fell to a record low of 93.96 against the US dollar on Monday, extending its slide as foreign fund outflows accelerated and crude oil prices stayed elevated. The currency has depreciated 3.6% against the dollar in 2026 so far, and 2.4% since the West Asia conflict began. The RBI's budgeted assumption of ₹88 per dollar is now deeply outdated.

23 Mar

Sensex crashes 1,837 points as West Asia fears hammer Indian markets

Indian equity markets suffered a brutal selloff on Monday. The Sensex fell 2.46% to close at 72,696 — its lowest since May 2024. The Nifty 50 dropped 602 points to 22,512. All 16 major sectors on the NSE declined. Midcap and smallcap indices fell nearly 4% each. Foreign investors have pulled out over ₹90,000 crore from Indian equities in March alone.

23 Mar

IEA warns: energy crisis now worse than 1970s oil shocks combined

The International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said the current global energy disruption exceeds both 1970s oil crises and the 2022 Ukraine gas shock combined. Global oil supply has fallen by 11 million barrels per day. At least 40 energy facilities across nine countries have been severely damaged. Birol called the Strait of Hormuz reopening the single most important solution.