India has been invited by the United Kingdom to join urgent international talks aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route disrupted by ongoing conflict. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is attending the virtual meeting alongside representatives from over 30 countries. The discussions focus on restoring safe maritime navigation and stabilising global energy supplies, as the strait handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade. The initiative reflects growing global concern over rising fuel prices and trade disruptions. India’s participation highlights its strategic interest in securing energy routes and maintaining stability in global shipping corridors. (PC: Reuters)

The United States military has prepared a risky plan to seize Iran’s uranium, reports said. The plan may send hundreds or thousands of troops into Iran. It targets nuclear sites like Isfahan and Natanz. Officials said the mission would be complex and dangerous. A former operator said, “It is slow, meticulous and extremely deadly.” The operation aims to secure over 1,000 pounds of radioactive material. Donald Trump has signalled a stronger approach toward Iran. However, experts warned of serious risks. Some said the International Atomic Energy Agency is better suited to handle such material under a ceasefire. (PC: AP)

Emmanuel Macron said it is “unrealistic” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by military force. He spoke after Donald Trump urged allies to help secure the route. In a national address, Trump said US goals against Iran were “nearing completion”. He warned strikes would continue “extremely hard” for two to three weeks. Iran’s army chief replied that no invader would survive if US troops entered the country. The conflict has also involved Hezbollah attacks near Israel. Oil prices rose after the speech, as markets reacted to uncertainty over the key shipping route. (PC: The Indian Express)

Iranian commander Seyed Majid Moosavi criticised US remarks about pushing Iran “back to the Stone Age”. He was replying to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Moosavi said, “It is you who are taking your soldiers to their graves.” He added that a country with a “250-year history” was threatening a civilisation over 6,000 years old. The exchange comes amid the ongoing conflict between United States and Iran. Fighting began after US-Israel strikes in February. Iran has since targeted US-linked assets and disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: NDTV)

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.