The death toll in Manipur’s fresh violence has risen to five after another injured protester died. Tensions continued in the Imphal Valley with curfew in place across key districts. Violence began after a bomb attack killed a five-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl in Bishnupur. Their mother was injured. Angry locals burned vehicles and stormed a security camp. Central forces opened fire to control the crowd. Five protesters were hit, and two later died. Three militants have been arrested for suspected roles in the attack. Chief Minister N Biren Singh reviewed the situation with top officials. (PC: New Indian Express)

There is concern in New Delhi as Pakistan takes a key role in US-Iran talks after the ceasefire. Officials believe Donald Trump wanted an “off-ramp” and Islamabad stepped in.   Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir helped broker the pause and host talks. Trump said the move followed “conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.”   Iran’s Abbas Araghchi thanked them for “tireless efforts to end the war.”   Indian officials worry Pakistan has gained space in key global talks and may be harder to isolate. (PC: X)

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz after Israeli strikes in Lebanon, less than a day after a ceasefire with the US.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the truce does not include Lebanon. He wrote, “The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon.”   Israel continued attacks, killing over 100 people and injuring hundreds, reports said.   The US said the closure of the strait is “completely unacceptable.” Karoline Leavitt said it must reopen “immediately, quickly, and safely.”   Donald Trump backed Israel’s actions, saying Lebanon fighting is a “separate” issue. (PC: NDTV)

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said the US must decide between peace and war after Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The attacks near Beirut killed over 100 people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were not part of the ceasefire deal. Araghchi wrote, “The Iran–US ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the US must choose—ceasefire or continued war via Israel.” He added, “The world sees the massacres in Lebanon. The ball is in the US court.” Shehbaz Sharif said a ceasefire was agreed but reported violations and urged restraint. (PC: HT)

Donald Trump has sent a team led by JD Vance to Pakistan for talks with Iran starting Saturday. The White House said the move marks a shift from military action to diplomacy. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier Iranian proposals were “unacceptable” and “thrown in the garbage.” She added a revised plan may now match a US 15-point proposal. Vance will be joined by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Islamabad. Iran has also signalled it may hand over enriched uranium. (PC: India Today)

A crude oil tanker carrying Iranian oil is heading toward India’s east coast, potentially marking the first such import in nearly seven years. The vessel, Jaya, a Curacao-flagged very large crude carrier, moved from the Strait of Malacca into the Andaman Sea near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is now sailing in the Bay of Bengal. Ship tracking data and trade sources indicate it may deliver cargo to a port like Paradip for Indian Oil Corporation. Malaysian waters have served as holding zones for Iranian crude shipments. If completed, the delivery would signal a notable shift in India’s oil sourcing amid evolving geopolitical and energy dynamics. (PC: The Indian Express)

India welcomed the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, urging uninterrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles half of India’s oil imports. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised dialogue and diplomacy while expressing hope the development could support peace efforts in Ukraine. The conflict, triggered by US-Israel strikes on February 28, disrupted global energy flows and stranded shipping. India remains engaged with stakeholders to ensure safe passage, though Iran continues case-by-case vessel clearance. Around 7,500 Indians remain in Iran, with evacuations ongoing via Armenia and Azerbaijan. New Delhi is closely monitoring Pakistan’s mediation role and prioritising the safety of its citizens. (PC: X)

Iran halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and warned it could withdraw from the ceasefire with the United States if Israel continues attacks on Lebanon. The move followed Israeli airstrikes on Beirut hours after the truce, which Israel said does not extend to Lebanon due to Hezbollah’s role. The White House confirmed Lebanon is excluded from the two-week agreement announced earlier by Donald Trump. Iran’s actions signal escalating tensions despite the ceasefire framework. By suspending tanker movement, Tehran has reinforced its leverage over global oil flows while linking regional conflict dynamics to maritime access. The fragile truce now faces renewed uncertainty as hostilities expand beyond its defined scope. (PC: AFP)  

Despite a 14-day ceasefire announced by Donald Trump, the Strait of Hormuz remains tightly controlled. Iran’s navy has warned vessels to obtain prior approval or face destruction, indicating no immediate easing of restrictions. Earlier, Iran signalled limited reopening with coordinated passage, but shipowners report the chokepoint effectively remains closed. Global operators, including Maersk, are reassessing risks amid uncertainty. Around 2,000 ships and 20,000 seafarers remain stranded since the conflict began. Iran continues to restrict passage primarily to friendly nations, maintaining leverage despite the truce. The ceasefire, influenced by Pakistan and possibly China, has paused escalation but failed to restore normal maritime flow in this critical global oil route. (PC: X)

The United States has claimed a “decisive military victory” over Iran following intense strikes during the recent West Asia conflict. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Iran “begged” for a ceasefire after suffering significant damage to its military infrastructure, including missile and naval capabilities. A temporary two-week ceasefire has since been agreed upon, with Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and entering negotiations. However, tensions remain high as both sides caution that the truce is fragile, and the broader conflict may not be over despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. (PC: Reuters)