world

Pakistan flags Kolkata as potential target, India signals ‘unprecedented response’

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warns of deep strikes, India vows decisive retaliation as tensions escalate.

US pilot rescued from Iran after high-risk operation, Trump declares ‘we got him’

Iran calls India ‘cherished partner’ as 8 Indian vessels cross Hormuz amid conflict

India dismisses ‘payment hurdle’ claims on Iranian crude imports, says supplies secure

40-tonne medicine shipment for Iran stuck in Delhi after airstrike disrupts airlift

Embassy scrambles for alternatives as damaged aircraft, war-hit supply chains deepen concerns over medicine shortages.

Conflict involving Donald Trump, Iran and Israel intensified sharply on April 2, with fresh military claims, escalating rhetoric and rising economic tremors signaling a widening crisis. In a dramatic assertion, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had shot down a second US F-35 fighter jet over central Iran, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera. The aircraft was said to be “completely destroyed” on impact, while Iran’s Mehr News Agency suggested the pilot was unlikely to have survived due to the intensity of the explosion. There was no immediate response from US Central Command, which had earlier dismissed similar claims. The battlefield developments came alongside a sharp escalation in Washington’s stance. In a late-night warning, Trump threatened further devastation after reported strikes targeted a key bridge linking Tehran and Karaj — described as the country’s tallest at 136 metres and valued at $400 million, according to The Guardian. Taking responsibility for the strike, Trump urged Iran to strike a deal “before it’s too late,” warning that critical infrastructure, including power facilities, could be next. In a social media post, he shared footage purportedly showing the bridge’s destruction, declaring that “there is nothing left of what still could become a great country.” The remarks followed his earlier threat to bomb Iran “back to the stone ages.” In a prime-time address from the White House, Trump said US military objectives were “nearing completion,” while cautioning that strikes on Iranian targets would continue “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks to “finish the job.” Tehran responded with defiance. Iran’s army chief warned that any ground incursion by US forces would be met with total resistance, stating that “not a single person” among invading troops would survive. Meanwhile, diplomatic caution emerged from Europe. Emmanuel Macron said reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz through military means would be impractical, following calls from Washington for allied intervention. Oil shocks and market jitters The geopolitical tensions quickly rippled through global markets, pushing oil prices sharply higher amid fears of prolonged disruption. US benchmark crude surged 11.4% to settle at $111.54 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 7.8% to $109.03 per barrel. Analysts warned that the conflict could significantly disrupt supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical artery for global energy flows. A report by BMI, part of Fitch Solutions, cautioned that a prolonged conflict could heighten risks to infrastructure, delay post-war recovery and keep prices elevated well into the year. While the United States imports only a limited share of oil from the Persian Gulf, globally benchmarked prices mean supply fears can drive costs higher worldwide. Asian economies, however, face more immediate risks. Countries such as Japan, heavily reliant on Hormuz-linked shipments, may be forced to explore alternative routes if disruptions persist. Regional ripple effects The economic strain is already visible across the region. Pakistan announced a sharp hike in fuel prices, raising petrol to PKR 458.4 per litre and high-speed diesel to PKR 520.35 per litre, as governments brace for sustained volatility in energy markets. With military threats intensifying, diplomatic options narrowing and markets on edge, the conflict shows signs of entering a more dangerous and prolonged phase, with global consequences far beyond the battlefield.

Iran claims second US F-35 shot down, pilot feared dead

Tehran says advanced US stealth jet destroyed in central Iran as conflict intensifies and Washington ramps up strike threats.

India flags human cost at Hormuz talks, says it alone lost mariners in crisis

At UK-led multilateral meet, New Delhi pushes diplomacy, underscores energy security risks as three Indian sailors killed in Strait attacks.

Muslim-majority countries condemn Israel’s new death penalty law

Several Muslim-majority nations have criticised Israel’s newly approved death penalty law, calling it discriminatory and warning it could further escalate tensions in the region amid the ongoing conflict.

Oil prices surge past $105, Sensex tumbles after Trump’s Iran warning

Global oil prices jumped sharply after US President Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran “extremely hard,” triggering fears of supply disruption, while Indian stock markets fell steeply amid rising inflation and geopolitical concerns.