Iran warned of “broader” and “crushing” attacks after Donald Trump said the US would act “very fast” in the war. In a national address, Trump repeated that the US would finish the job quickly but gave no timeline. Iran’s military said recent US and Israeli strikes were “insignificant”. It added the two countries have “incomplete” information about its capabilities. Global markets reacted with concern. Oil prices rose to $106 a barrel, while Asian stocks fell. The conflict is also dividing people within Iran, with differing views on the war’s impact.

Iran said Indian ships are safe despite disruption in the Strait of Hormuz after recent attacks. The Iranian embassy said, “Our Indian friends are in safe hands, no worries.” Iran has allowed passage to “friendly nations” including India. At least eight Indian ships have exited the route. These include LPG carriers with about 94,000 tonnes of cargo. However, several vessels remain stranded with crude oil, LNG and LPG meant for India. Officials said both Indian and foreign ships are affected. The route handles about 20% of global energy trade. The situation has raised concerns over supply disruptions. (PC: NDTV)

Indian markets cut early losses and moved near flat by afternoon. The BSE Sensex rose slightly, while the Nifty 50 stayed almost unchanged. Both had fallen nearly 2% earlier after Donald Trump said the US would hit Iran “extremely hard”. Markets recovered as the rupee strengthened to 92.94 against the dollar after central bank steps. IT stocks led the rebound. Shares of Infosys, TCS, HCLTech and Tech Mahindra gained. Still, the weekly trend remains weak. Indices are down about 0.6% this week, marking a sixth straight weekly decline. (PC: India Today)

Global markets fell after Donald Trump warned Iran of an “extremely hard” strike. Oil prices rose sharply as fears of a wider war grew. Brent crude jumped over 6% to about $107 per barrel. US crude also saw a strong rise after his speech. Trump said US military goals would be met “very shortly”. But he warned of more action if no deal is reached. Indian markets dropped in early trade. Sensex fell nearly 2%, while Nifty also declined. Trump said countries using the Strait of Hormuz must “take care of that passage”. Bitcoin and other digital assets also slipped after the remarks. (PC: HT)

An oil painting by Raja Ravi Varma has set a new auction record in India. ‘Yashoda and Krishna’ sold for Rs 167.2 crore at a Mumbai auction. It was bought by industrialist Cyrus Poonawalla after a short bidding war. The price is higher than the earlier record held by MF Husain’s ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’. The painting was expected to sell for much less. Poonawalla said the work is a “national treasure”. He added it should be shown to the public. Painted in the 1890s, the artwork shows Yashoda with child Krishna in a quiet home scene. (PC: India Today)

A viral TikTok video by San Diego-based dancer Charm Daze has triggered debate over operational security and troop morale amid the Iran war. She claimed young US soldiers visiting clubs near bases appeared “depressed” and revealed upcoming deployments, sparking concerns about potential leaks of sensitive information. The video fuelled speculation of escalating US military action, as deployments reportedly increase under Donald Trump’s administration. Critics warned such disclosures could compromise security, while others highlighted the emotional toll on troops. The situation unfolds alongside growing domestic opposition, with polls indicating many Americans favour ending involvement in the conflict despite ongoing military preparations.

Masoud Pezeshkian issued an open letter to Americans amid the ongoing conflict, rejecting claims that Iran poses a security threat and asserting that the country has never initiated war in modern history. He described Iran as a long-standing civilisation focused on self-defence rather than aggression. Pezeshkian blamed strained relations on US actions, including the 1953 coup, support for the Shah, backing Iraq in the 1980s war, sanctions, and recent military strikes. He argued that American military presence around Iran fuels instability and questioned the purpose of the war. The letter urged Americans to look beyond political narratives and consider diplomacy over continued confrontation.

US President Donald Trump warned that Iran could be pushed “back to the Stone Age” if it fails to reach a deal, as the conflict enters its fifth week. In a national address, he said US forces are close to achieving core objectives, including dismantling Iran’s military capabilities and preventing nuclear weapon development. Trump highlighted rapid battlefield gains but signalled intensified strikes within two to three weeks if negotiations fail. He also warned of potential attacks on critical infrastructure and urged global powers to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Despite progress claims, concerns persist over escalation, oil supply disruption, and prolonged regional instability. (PC: Reuters)

Iran has denied a claim by Donald Trump that it sought a ceasefire. Iran’s foreign ministry called the statement “false and baseless”, according to state media. Trump had said Iran’s “new regime president” requested a ceasefire but gave no details. He also said the US would consider a truce only if the Strait of Hormuz is “open, free, and clear”. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian made no mention of any ceasefire in a message to Americans. He said Iran “never initiated a war” and spoke about choosing between “confrontation and engagement”. (PC: BBC)

Donald Trump said the US will be “out of Iran pretty quickly” after meeting its goals. He said American strikes have stopped Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Trump added the US could return for “spot hits” if needed. His comments suggest a short and limited military role. He also criticised NATO and said he is considering a US withdrawal from the alliance. The remarks came before his national address. Officials say the US does not want a long war. However, tensions remain high as military action continues and concerns grow among allies in Europe.