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The US sanctions waiver for Iran's Chabahar port lapsed on April 26, 2026, leaving India to decide between abandoning its $620 million investment or facing American sanctions. Reports indicate India has already withdrawn personnel and prepaid its financial commitments, while discussions with the US and Iran continue.
Chinese experts say the US-Israeli military operation against Iran has prompted strong opposition worldwide and left Washington in a strategic stalemate. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to US-allied shipping while granting passage to friendly nations, and Germany has called for a diplomatic solution.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi convened a jirga with tribal elders and lawmakers to address recent drone strikes that killed a minor girl and injured six. The gathering decided to raise the issue in the provincial assembly, form a jirga to negotiate with the federal government, and possibly legislate against collateral damage.
Japanese authorities have confirmed they did not pay Iran for the passage of the Idemitsu Maru through the Strait of Hormuz, attributing the vessel's safe transit to government negotiations. The tanker, carrying two million barrels of oil, had been stranded for nearly two months amid heightened tensions in the region.
US intelligence agencies are studying how Iran would respond if President Trump declared a unilateral victory in the two-month-old war, according to Reuters. The move could ease political pressure on Trump but risks emboldening Iran. No decision has been made, and the president could still escalate military operations.
The UAE's decision to leave OPEC and OPEC+ from May 1, 2026, is expected to weaken the cartel's influence on global oil prices and increase doubts about Saudi-led production quotas. Analysts cite the UAE's desire to maximize production capacity and long-standing disagreements with Saudi Arabia as key factors, though short-term price impact may be limited.
Cambodian authorities have agreed to the early repatriation of 54 Pakistani nationals arrested after a raid on a scam compound in Siem Reap, according to Pakistan's Foreign Office. The detainees will be returned without legal proceedings as a goodwill gesture, with embassy staff ensuring their welfare until departure.
The US State Department has instructed consular officers to ask temporary visa applicants whether they fear harm in their home country, denying those who answer affirmatively. The policy aims to curb asylum claims but has drawn criticism from advocates concerned about persecution victims.
Pakistan's power regulator has abolished the licence requirement and fee for solar net-metering consumers with capacity up to 25kW, following a directive from the Power Division. The move reverses a contentious policy that drew public criticism and objections from industry groups.
The superyacht Nord, linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, has completed a rare passage through the Strait of Hormuz, traveling from Dubai to Oman. The journey comes amid an ongoing US-Iran standoff that has severely restricted shipping in the critical waterway. Sources suggest neither Iran nor the US objected to the transit, which was conducted under the Russian flag.
Iranian officials say the war with the United States and Israel is not over and that the armed forces remain on high alert. The statements come after a 40-day conflict that killed 3,375 Iranians, according to Tehran, and as ceasefire talks in Islamabad failed to produce a long-term agreement.
China has publicly urged that the Strait of Hormuz remain open and has called for a ceasefire, signaling a rare split with Iran over its blockade. Analysts view this as a test of Beijing’s balancing act between Iranian ties and its economic interests, while the US sanctions Chinese vessels amid rising tensions.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy over force and stating that terrorism has no nationality or theology. His comments drew criticism from India's opposition Congress party, while analysts note the SCO's growing significance amid global fragmentation.
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has invited Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states to participate in the Center 2026 strategic command-and-staff exercise, scheduled for late September. The invitation was extended during a SCO defense ministers' meeting in Bishkek, where regional security and bilateral military cooperation were also on the agenda.
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers' meeting in Bishkek, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov called for enhanced military cooperation, expansion of anti-terrorist exercises, and creation of a common Eurasian security architecture. He also criticized the West for undermining global security and warned against extra-regional military presence in Central Asia.
Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan received a fourth intravitreal injection for a retinal condition at a government hospital and was discharged back to prison. Doctors report clinical improvement, while political tensions over his treatment continue.
Russian experts suggest that Iran's hypothetical decision to transfer enriched uranium to Russia could strengthen its position in negotiations with the United States. The discussions come amid a fragile ceasefire following a 40-day conflict, with analysts warning of the risk of further escalation.
Russia has shipped the fourth of five S-400 air defense systems to India, with deployment expected in Rajasthan by the end of May. The fifth system is slated for November delivery, destined for the China border. India's Defense Ministry has approved additional S-400 acquisitions, and the systems were used in Operation Sindoor.
President Trump's national security team is reviewing an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US blockade, while postponing nuclear negotiations. The proposal faces skepticism in Washington, with Trump expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of nuclear safeguards.
US President Donald Trump is unlikely to accept Iran's latest three-stage proposal for resolving the conflict, according to reports. The plan prioritizes ending the war and securing guarantees before discussing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program. Washington is preparing a counterproposal.