Bombshell Iran war update as two-week ceasefire deadline looms | World | News
Sources have claimed that Iranian and US delegates could meet again soon for peace talks before the two-week ceasefire declared by Donald Trump ends. Two Pakistani officials told AP News that Iran-US talks could be held in Islamabad in the coming days, depending on whether the parties request a different location.
One added that it was part of an ongoing diplomatic process rather than a one-off effort after initial talks ended without an agreement. Resurgent hope for a ceasefire following reports that a second round of talks was possible sent Asian stocks higher and oil prices lower on Tuesday.
While the benchmark US crude oil decreased by 1.7% to $97.37 per barrel, Brent crude oil, the international standard, decreased by 0.9% to $98.49 per barrel.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index rose 2.3% to 57,804.81. South Korea’s Kospi index increased by 2.7% to 5,968.06 points. The Hong Kong Hang Seng index increased by 0.5 percent to 25,783.41 points, while the Shanghai Composite index increased by 0.5 percent to 4,007.93 points.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also put forward a four-point plan for peace in the Middle East during his meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He called for regional peaceful coexistence and respect for national sovereignty while coordinating development and security, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported.
Xi added: “Preserve the authority of the rule of international law. We cannot ‘use it when it suits us, throw it away when it doesn’t’ and let the world return to the law of the jungle.”
This comes after the US President warned China not to support Iran and said it would face “big problems” if Iran supplied weapons to the country.
Following claims that Beijing plans to deliver air defense systems, Trump responded: “If China does this, China is going to have big problems, okay?”
Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that the move risks escalating the crisis and disrupting global oil supplies. A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman added: “Chinese ships continue to enter and exit the Strait of Hormuz.
“We have trade and energy agreements with Iran that we will respect and comply with. We expect others not to interfere in our affairs. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz and opened it to us.”
