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Recap: Trump warns Iran against tolls for ships passing through Hormuz

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New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran did not want war, but it would protect its rights as a nation.

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Fatimah Mujibah, Alessia Mah and Ann Chen

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Published: Feb 28, 2026

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Singapore's government facilities have been told to adopt energy conservation measures amid the Middle East conflict.PHOTO: AFP \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singapore welcomes ceasefire in Middle East, urges parties to engage in negotiations in good faith\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T23:07:12+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T23:31:25+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singapore welcomes the announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East and has urged all parties to \\u201cengage in negotiations in good faith\\u201d.In a statement on April 8, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: \\u201cWe are encouraged that the parties involved have taken this important step towards de-escalation and commend the efforts of the mediators, in particular Pakistan.\\u201cWe urge all parties to adhere to the ceasefire, halt all attacks on non-belligerent States, and engage in negotiations in good faith that will bring about a lasting resolution to this conflict.\\u201dThe ministry also said that Singapore further welcomes the commitment under the ceasefire to restore shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. It called on parties to uphold their obligations under international law, restore safe and unimpeded transit passage in the strait, and ensure the safety of seafarers and ships.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Can Philippine President Marcos turn ceasefire reprieve to tangible relief?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T23:30:50+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T23:30:50+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is seizing on the Iran war ceasefire as a brief but critical opening to shore up the Philippines\\u2019 fuel supply, underscoring how vulnerable the country remains to external shocks.\\u201cWe will take full advantage of the two weeks to increase our oil supply as much as possible,\\u201d Mr Marcos said in a video statement on Wednesday, as he outlined plans to push through delayed shipments and ease bottlenecks affecting Philippine-flagged vessels.With shipping routes expected to reopen, Mr Marcos said he is hopeful fuel cargoes will be able to move more freely through the Strait of Hormuz while the window holds. Iran had earlier agreed to allow the safe and toll-free passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, oil shipments and Filipino seafarers through the key chokepoint.He also pointed to immediate operational gains, particularly for Filipino seafarers whose vessels had been left waiting amid heightened tensions, saying these ships would now be able to resume work.But the broader priority remains clear: rebuilding petroleum reserves as quickly as possible after weeks of disruption.Still, Mr Marcos stopped short of promising quick relief at the pump. While he said easing supply could help bring prices down, he cautioned that \\u201ctwo weeks may not be enough time\\u201d given how volatile global oil markets remain. It is a reminder that even if supply improves, prices are largely dictated beyond Manila\\u2019s control.The framing also suggests the administration is managing expectations at home. By describing the situation as a \\u201cvery simple demand and supply\\u201d problem, Mr Marcos signalled that any price relief will not be immediate \\u2014 a message that may do little to reassure Filipinos already grappling with rising transport and food costs.The ceasefire, then, offers a narrow reprieve but also raises the stakes. Having underscored the urgency of boosting supply, the question now is whether the government can turn this two-week window into tangible relief. If not, the perception that it is merely reacting rather than staying ahead of the crisis risks deepening public frustration at a politically sensitive time.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pakistan PM urges restraint amid Iran ceasefire violations\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T22:59:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T22:59:41+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Pakistan\\u2019s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that violations of the ceasefire between the US and Iran undermine the spirit of the peace process and urged for restraint.\\u201cI earnestly and sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards peaceful settlement of the conflict,\\u201d Mr Sharif, who was instrumental in brokering the truce, said in a post on X.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iran raises Israeli \\u2018ceasefire violations\\u2019 with Pakistani mediators as Israel mounts \\u2018surprise\\u2019 Lebanon attack\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T22:40:58+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T22:40:58+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised \\u201cceasefire violations\\u201d by Israel in a call with the commander of the armed forces of Pakistan, which mediated the fragile US-Iran truce, an Iranian ministry statement said.Mr Araghchi \\u201cdiscussed the Zionist regime\\u2019s violations of the ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon\\u201d, referring to Israel, in a call with the Pakistani military leader Asim Munir, according to the statement.Meanwhile, Israel\\u2019s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had carried out a surprise attack on Wednesday targeting hundreds of Hezbollah members across Lebanon.\\u201cThe IDF carried out a surprise strike on hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists at command centres across Lebanon. This is the largest concentrated blow Hezbollah has suffered since Operation Beepers,\\u201d Mr Katz said in a video statement, referring to a major 2024 operation against Hezbollah involving pager bombs.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"In Pictures: US, Iran agree to two-week ceasefire\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T22:32:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T22:32:11+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Anti-war demonstrations were held across the United States after the announcement of the ceasefire agreement, while people also gathered in Tehran in reaction to the news. Demonstrators gathered outside the White House in Washington, DC, to protest against military action in Iran. One sign read: \\u201cRefuse illegal orders\\u201d and \\u201cNo war\\u201d.US President Donald Trump\\u2019s announcement came less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, initially set at 8pm local time. Demonstrations also sprouted across cities in the US, in the Manhattan borough of New York City and Seattle. In Tehran, where Mr Trump\\u2019s announcement came in the early hours of the morning, people took to the streets, with some waving Iranian flags from their cars.PHOTOS: REUTERS, AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iran to approach peace talks with US with caution: Iranian ambassador to UN\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T22:16:15+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T22:16:15+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iran will approach peace talks with the US with far more caution than in previous negotiations due to a big gap in trust, the Iranian ambassador to the UN in Geneva said on Wednesday.The war will also affect the future legal regime of the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Ali Bahreini added.\\u201cWe are not putting any trust in the other side. Our military forces are keeping their preparedness... but meanwhile, we will go for negotiations to see how serious the other side is,\\u201d he told Reuters.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Israel launches most violent strikes on Beirut since start of war\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T20:52:49+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T22:09:49+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Israel launched a series of strikes on Beirut on Wednesday, the most violent attack on the Lebanese capital since the start of war.The strikes came as Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, which drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by attacking Israel on March 2, claimed it was close to a \\u201chistoric victory\\u201d.Hezbollah however did not claim any operations against Israel since 1am (6am Singapore time, Wednesday), around the time the ceasefire took hold.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said earlier that the truce excluded his country\\u2019s fight with Hezbollah.Israel renewed an evacuation order for an area more than 40km inside Lebanon, saying \\u201cthe battle in Lebanon is ongoing\\u201d, before also reiterating its call for residents of Beirut\\u2019s southern suburbs to leave.It also issued a warning for a building in the coastal city of Tyre, after striking another one near it.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Middle East conflict has elevated global security threat landscape, including for S\\u2019pore: Shanmugam\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T22:03:12+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T22:09:06+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has elevated the security threat landscape globally, including for Singapore, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam.The involvement of state actors, proxies and militant networks across the Middle East has raised the risk of attacks and spillover incidents beyond the immediate theatre of the conflict, Mr Shanmugam said in a written response to a parliamentary question on Wednesday.Terrorist groups and their affiliates have capitalised on the conflict to disseminate online propaganda justifying violence and inciting terrorist attacks, he said.These extremist narratives have also increased the risk of self-radicalisation, particularly in cyberspace, he added.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"S\\u2019pore government facilities told to adopt measures to save energy amid Middle East conflict\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T21:56:39+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T21:56:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"All government facilities in Singapore have been directed to adopt energy conservation measures to reduce electricity consumption where practicable, as part of the effort to save energy amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Such measures include setting the air-conditioner at 25 deg C or higher, and unplugging or turning off non-essential equipment and appliances when not in use, Singapore\\u2019s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the National Environment Agency said on Wednesday.Agencies will also accelerate the installation of energy-efficient systems such as LED lighting and smart sensors, and the replacement of electrical equipment with more energy-efficient alternatives.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iran could open Strait of Hormuz in a controlled way ahead of meeting with US: Senior Iranian official\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T21:30:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T21:30:11+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iran could open the Strait of Hormuz in a limited and controlled way on Thursday or Friday ahead of a meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official involved in the talks told Reuters on Wednesday.If an understanding on a framework for talks is reached, the strait could be opened in a limited way \\u201cunder Iran\\u2019s control\\u201d, the official said.\\u201cCoordinating with the Iranian military will be mandatory for all ships. Still, the ceasefire is fragile, however, we prefer lasting peace but Iran has no fear to return to war if the US wants to go the same way.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"First ships through Strait of Hormuz since ceasefire: Monitor\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T21:15:22+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T21:15:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Two ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since Iran agreed to reopen the waterway as part of a ceasefire deal, maritime monitor Marine Traffic said on Wednesday.\\u201cThe Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the Strait at 8.44am UTC (4.44pm Singapore time), while the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach transited earlier at 6.59am UTC, shortly after departing Bandar Abbas at 5.28am UTC\\u201d, MarineTraffic said on X.The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, during which passage through the Strait of Hormuz \\u201cwill be possible via coordination with Iran\\u2019s Armed Forces\\u201d, Iran\\u2019s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X.\\u201cNJ Earth\\u2019s transit may be an early sign of movement, but it is still too soon to tell whether this reflects a broader ceasefire-driven reopening or a previously approved exception\\u201d, Ms Ana Subasic, analyst at MarineTraffic owner Kpler told AFP.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pentagon chief Hegseth claims decisive military victory for US in Iran\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T21:03:43+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T21:03:43+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declared victory in the US and Israeli war against Iran on Wednesday, a day after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, Bloomberg reported.\\u201cOperation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield,\\u201d Mr Hegseth said at a press conference, using the Pentagon\\u2019s name for the war against Iran.\\u201cIran begged for this ceasefire \\u2013 and we all know it.\\u201dWhile US rationales for the war shifted since the conflict began, Mr Hegseth said the US has accomplished its war aims, including destroying Iranian ballistic missile capabilities, sinking the country\\u2019s navy that menaced merchant vessels in the region and bombing the country\\u2019s defence industrial base. With a tentative ceasefire now in place, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine praised the halt in fighting.But he added: \\u201cLet\\u2019s be clear, the ceasefire is a pause and the joint force remains ready.\\u201dMr Hegseth said the US military was \\u201changing around\\u201d in the Middle East to ensure Iran complies with the two-week ceasefire and to monitor the country\\u2019s enriched uranium stockpile.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iran ceasefire \\u2018fragile\\u2019, Trump \\u2018impatient to make progress: US V-P Vance\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T20:30:03+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T20:31:00+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US Vice-President J.D. Vance on Wednesday welcomed a \\u201cfragile truce\\u201d with Iran, urging Tehran to negotiate to reach a long-team deal.Speaking shortly after Washington and Tehran agreed a two-week truce to the war, he also warned that US President Donald Trump was \\u201cnot one to mess around\\u201d.Tehran has warned the war is not over until formal terms are negotiated.\\u201cIf the Iranians are willing in good faith to work with us, I think we can make an agreement,\\u201d Mr Vance said during a visit to Budapest.He added if the Iranians do not come to the negotiating table, \\u201cthey\\u2019re going to find out that the President of the United States is not one to mess around. He\\u2019s impatient. He\\u2019s impatient to make progress\\u201d.Mr Vance said Mr Trump had shown \\u201cthat we still have clear military, diplomatic, and maybe most importantly we have extraordinary economic leverage\\u201d.\\u201cIf they\\u2019re going to lie, if they\\u2019re going to cheat, if they\\u2019re trying to prevent even the fragile truce that we\\u2019ve set up from taking place, then they\\u2019re not going to be happy,\\u201d he added.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: EPA \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"A hollowed-out UN cannot deliver miracles on the Iran war\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T20:01:07+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T20:01:07+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Is it fair to complain that in times of crisis, serious people no longer turn to the United Nations, as the Wall Street Journal editorial board contended today?Its gripe had to do with Tuesday night\\u2019s Russian and Chinese veto of a Bahrain-led Security Council resolution aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.Various Western nations have suggested that any move to deploy naval assets to the strait would require such a resolution to have standing in international law.But Moscow and Beijing\\u2019s contention was that the draft was too one-sided, and ripe for abuse given the signals US President Donald Trump has been sending.They pointed to his threat to end Iranian civilisation as confirmation that the proposal would have handed the US and Israel, as Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia put it, \\u201ccarte blanche for continued aggression\\u201d.Western voices, the WSJ editorial board among them, will contend that once again the Security Council, hobbled by Chinese and Russian obstructionism, has proven ineffectual.There is a point there, of course: the resolution was watered down from tougher earlier language to assuage them, and still failed.But the deeper problem is a breakdown of the working relationship among the five veto-wielding nations.Arguably more than in any era of the UN's past, there is no give and take among them, no ability to cut deals.Any measure authorising military action under UN auspices requires exactly that kind of successful backroom dealing.It is how the first Gulf War was authorised in 1990, with China abstaining rather than voting no, and it is how the 2011 Libya intervention got off the ground, with both Russia and China abstaining.In the current conflict, now that a ceasefire is in place, there must be a fresh attempt at a UN-backed framework for managing the Strait of Hormuz.If a counterproposal emerges in the coming days calling for a cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy, all sides should look at it with fresh eyes \\u2013 and the UN envoys of the major powers should implore their capitals to act with the seriousness the moment demands.It is foolish to excoriate the UN for failing, when so much has been done \\u2013 not least by Washington itself \\u2013 to hollow it out, and then to point at the wreckage as proof that it does not work.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Countries supplying military weapons to Iran will face immediate 50% tariffs: Trump\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T19:48:47+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T19:48:47+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US President Donald Trump has warned that any country supplying military weapons to Iran will be tariffed immediately, with \\u201cno exclusions or exemptions\\u201d.In a TruthSocial post on Wednesday, he said: \\u201cA country supplying military weapons to Iran will be immediately tariffed, on any and all goods sold to the United States of America, 50 per cent, effective immediately. There will be no exclusions or exemptions.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump says US will work closely with Iran\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T19:47:13+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T19:47:13+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The US will work closely with Iran, which has gone through \\u201cwhat will be a very productive regime change\\u201d, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.He said in a TruthSocial post that Iran will not enrich uranium and that the US will work with Tehran to \\u201cdig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) Nuclear \\u2018Dust\\u2019\\u201d.The two countries will also discuss tariff and sanctions relief, he added.PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM REALDONALDTRUMP\\/TRUTHSOCIAL\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"More than 15 countries planning to facilitate Strait of Hormuz access: Macron\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T19:30:47+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T19:30:47+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"About 15 countries are planning to facilitate the resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday.\\u201cAbout 15 countries are currently mobilised and are participating in the planning, under France\\u2019s leadership, to enable the implementation of this strictly defensive mission in coordination with Iran to facilitate the resumption of traffic,\\u201d Mr Macron said at the start of his meeting on defence with advisers and members of his Cabinet.Mr Macron said he welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, but added the situation in Lebanon remained critical and called for Lebanon to be included in the deal.\\u201cOur wish in this context is to be assured that the ceasefire fully includes Lebanon,\\u201d Mr Macron said.Earlier, President Donald Trump said the US would be \\u201chelping with the traffic build-up\\u201d in the strait.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Opinion: Why China worked quietly to help broker the US-Iran ceasefire deal\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T19:02:47+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T19:02:47+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Did China want to save President Donald Trump from the mess he has created for himself out of goodwill?Beijing appears to have worked in tandem with Pakistan to push for a ceasefire framework.It also stepped up high-level diplomatic outreach, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi working the phones across Israel, Iran and the Gulf, pressing for an immediate ceasefire and a return to talks.Beijing is also understood to have nudged Tehran towards engagement with Washington.But Beijing\\u2019s role behind the Pakistani-fronted mediation is less about helping Mr Trump with an off-ramp, and more about securing its own economic and strategic interests, which will always be its top priority, says senior columnist Tan Dawn Wei.When it comes to energy, China\\u2019s vulnerability is sharper than it often lets on. It is the world\\u2019s largest crude importer, drawing not just from Iran but also from Gulf producers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.A prolonged disruption \\u2013 whether through blocked shipping lanes or damaged infrastructure \\u2013 would squeeze multiple supply channels at once. Even with strategic reserves, there are limits.If replenishment is constrained, stockpiles could be drawn down within months. And this is not a risk Beijing is willing to take.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"FairPrice freezes prices of 100 daily essentials, doubles CHAS discounts\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T18:35:27+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T18:35:27+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"FairPrice Group (FPG) will freeze the prices of its 100 most popular daily essentials to help Singaporeans cope with rising costs of living amid the conflict.The price freeze will be in effect from April 9 to May 31.Some of the items include FairPrice\\u2019s house-brand rice, oil, eggs, fresh and frozen pork and chicken, Milo, milk and detergent.FPG said more than nine in 10 of its customers from households with a lower monthly income \\u2013 Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange card holders \\u2013 purchase products from its basket of 100 essentials.The group will also double discounts for the same beneficiaries from 3 per cent to 6 per cent for the period of the price freeze.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"British PM Starmer to discuss Strait of Hormuz reopening in Gulf trip after ceasefire\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T18:03:46+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T18:03:46+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Middle East to hold talks with Gulf partners on ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains permanent after a US-Iran ceasefire, his office said on Wednesday.\\u201cI welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world,\\u201d Mr Starmer said in a statement.\\u201cTogether with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.\\u201dThe British statement said Mr Starmer would discuss diplomatic efforts to \\u201csupport and uphold the ceasefire in order to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict and protect the UK and global economy from further threats\\u201d.The visit to the region had been planned before the ceasefire was announced.Mr Starmer, who has been heavily criticised by US President Donald Trump for failing to support the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has previously hosted multinational meetings on how allies could support the reopening of the key strait that is fundamental to oil and gas trade.I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world.Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.\\u2014 Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 8, 2026 \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Two injured in Bahrain from Iranian drone attack: Interior ministry\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T17:30:39+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T17:30:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Two people sustained light injuries following an Iranian drone attack in Bahrain on Wednesday, the interior ministry said, hours after the truce deal announcement.\\u201cAs a result of the Iranian aggression, two citizens sustained minor injuries and a number of houses were damaged in the Sitra area as a result of shrapnel falling from the interception of an Iranian drone,\\u201d the Bahraini interior ministry said in a post on X.Separately, the Israel military warned residents of Tyre in southern Lebanon to evacuate as it continued to target the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.\\u201cUrgent and repeated warning to residents of the city of Tyre, specifically in Shabriha... you must evacuate your homes immediately,\\u201d the military\\u2019s Arabic-language spokesman, Colonel Avichay Adraee, said on X.Earlier on Wednesday, Israel said it supported the two-week ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran but maintained the deal \\u201cdoes not include Lebanon\\u201d, where it has been fighting Hezbollah.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Israel nervous about losing control over diplomatic developments\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T17:00:10+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T17:00:10+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Israel has publicly welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.\\\"Israel supports President (Donald) Trump's decision to suspend attacks against Iran for two weeks, provided that Iran immediately opens the Straits and ceases all attacks on the United States, Israel, and countries in the region,\\\" a statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office read, referring to the Strait of Hormuz.But the Israeli statement also went on to claim that the ceasefire agreement with Iran \\u201cdoes not include Lebanon\\u201d, where Israeli forces are continuing an offensive against Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported local militia.Although Mr Netanyahu\\u2019s closest advisers were quick to claim that Mr Trump had kept the Israeli prime minister \\u201cinformed\\u201d of Washington\\u2019s decision to accept the ceasefire deal, they failed to conceal their unease and nervousness at diplomatic developments the Jewish state can no longer control, and which may severely limit Israel\\u2019s room for manoeuvre.It is noticeable, for instance, that no Israeli official echoed Mr Trump\\u2019s claims that the US and Israel \\u201chad achieved their strategic objectives\\u201d in Iran. Instead, Israel frames the ceasefire deal as just a brief pause in a long fight.Israel\\u2019s current key objective is to ensure that the US offers no meaningful concessions to Iran in the upcoming negotiations expected to start by the end of this week in Pakistan. But the snag for Mr Netanyahu is that his influence in the White House appears to be in steep decline.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ling Chang Hong\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Israel\\u2019s opposition leaders slam Netanyahu over ceasefire with Iran\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T16:32:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T16:32:48+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Israel\\u2019s opposition leaders swiftly criticised the ceasefire with Iran on Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to achieve the war\\u2019s objectives.\\u201cThere has never been a political disaster like this in our entire history. Israel was not even close to the table when decisions were made concerning the core of our national security,\\u201d the country\\u2019s main opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X.\\u201cThe army carried out everything that was asked of it, and the public showed remarkable resilience, but Netanyahu failed politically, failed strategically, and did not achieve any of the goals he himself set.\\u201dThe head of the left-wing Democrats party, Mr Yair Golan, called the ceasefire a \\u201cstrategic failure\\u201d by Mr Netanyahu.\\u201cHe promised a historic victory and security for generations, and in practice, we got one of the most severe strategic failures Israel has ever known,\\u201d Mr Golan said on X.\\u201cIt\\u2019s a total failure that endangers Israel\\u2019s security for years to come.\\u201dMember of parliament and opposition figure Avigdor Liberman also denounced the truce, saying it gave the Iranian regime \\u201can opportunity to regroup\\u201d.\\u201cAny agreement with Iran that does not include renouncing the destruction of Israel, uranium enrichment, the production of ballistic missiles, and support for terrorist organisations in the region means that we will have to return to another campaign under more difficult conditions and pay a heavier price,\\u201d Mr Liberman said on X.More reaction was expected to come later on Wednesday after the end of the Jewish holiday of Passover.Israel said it supported Mr Trump\\u2019s decision to suspend his bombing of Iran, but maintained the ceasefire \\u201cdoes not include Lebanon\\u201d, where Israel has been battling Iran-backed Hezbollah.PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM YAIRLAPID\\/X\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"China more than bystander in brokering US-Iran ceasefire \",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T13:01:29+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T16:07:50+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"When the Middle East war first broke out, it appeared that China had few levers to pull as the escalating conflict delayed plans for a high-stakes meeting between Mr Donald Trump and Mr Xi Jinping.Beijing had to shore up its domestic energy security and soften the blow of surging fuel prices at home.For some watchers, it seemed that China\\u2019s influence was limited to public condemnations and posturing at the United Nations, where Beijing used its veto powers to strike down a resolution to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz that was deemed to be biased against Iran.Mr Trump told AFP on Tuesday that he believes China got Iran to negotiate the ceasefire. Citing unnamed Chinese officials, The Associated Press said China had worked with intermediaries, including Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, to encourage Iranian officials to find a path towards a deal.The latest developments indicate that China was more than just a bystander.\\u201c(This) can likely help to increase China's global influence, especially at a time when the US is rapidly becoming the more disruptive superpower in the world,\\u201d Mr William Yang, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, told The Straits Times.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ling Chang Hong\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Anwar welcomes 10-point plan, but warns against \\u2018deception and double-dealing\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T16:06:03+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T16:06:03+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has welcomed the 10-point plan \\\"proposed by Iran and positively received by the US\\\", but warned that \\u201cpeace talks cannot succeed if the proceedings are cloaked in deception and double-dealing\\u201d.A staunch critic of American and Israeli foreign policy since the Gaza conflict began in 2023, he called for \\u201ca comprehensive peace deal, not just for Iran, but also for Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen\\u201d.\\u201cFurther, it is incumbent upon the parties concerned to ensure the end of the genocide and dispossession of the people of Palestine, not least in Gaza,\\u201d he said in a statement on Wednesday.Mr Anwar also credited the crucial role played by his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif, \\\"for the tireless and courageous diplomacy that helped bring this moment about\\\". He added: \\\"Pakistan's willingness to speak to all sides, without fear or favour, reflects the highest traditions of Muslim solidarity and international responsibility.\\\"Having previously claimed that several Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia have asked Kuala Lumpur to play mediator between them and Iran, Mr Anwar reiterated Malaysia\\u2019s readiness to \\u201csupport and complement all efforts\\u201d for peace in West Asia.Like most economies around the globe, Malaysia has been hard hit by the shocks to energy supply and prices. But Kuala Lumpur is doubly stressed, having lowered the price of subsidised petrol since 2025 to RM1.99 from RM2.05 per litre.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Israeli military says it has ceased fire in the campaign against Iran\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T16:00:12+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T16:01:43+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The Israeli military said on Wednesday it has ceased fire in the campaign against Iran in accordance with directives from the political echelon, after the United States announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran.The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) added, in an X post in Farsi, that it \\u201cis in a state of high defensive readiness, prepared to respond to any ceasefire violation\\u201d.In the post, the military also said that it completed a wave of attacks overnight on various locations in Iran, and that it continues its ground combat and operational activities against Hezbollah.Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel supported US President Donald Trump\\u2019s decision to suspend attacks against Iran for two weeks but said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon.SCREENGRAB: X\\/IDFFARSI\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"sayheng\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iran speaker Qalibaf to head team for talks in Islamabad with US V-P Vance\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T15:41:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T15:41:41+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf is expected to lead Iran's team in talks with US Vice-President J.D Vance in Islamabad on Friday, Iranian news agency ISNA reported.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"sayheng\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Heartburn in New Delhi at Pakistan\\u2019s visible brokering role\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T14:01:46+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T15:30:28+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"India is experiencing some heartburn over Pakistan's visible role in negotiating the ceasefire between Iran and the US -- a challenge to India's own ambitions as the South Asian regional hegemon and a global player.New Delhi is warily watching Islamabad's seemingly growing global influence since the second Trump administration took office. India and Pakistan are perennial rivals, with relations in a deep freeze. The feuding neighbours engaged in a limited conflict after India blamed Pakistan for a terror attack in Kashmir.Domestically, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have to manage perceptions that India is not playing a more active role in negotiations, especially given the high stakes in West Asia and New Delhi's lofty global ambitions.The opening of the Strait of Hormuz is good news for energy-hungry India, where fuel shortages have impacted daily life for many Indians.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ling Chang Hong\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"NATO chief set for Trump talks as US-Iran truce begins \",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T15:30:23+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T15:30:23+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"NATO chief Mark Rutte will hold talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday.Mr Trump has expressed anger at Western partners\\u2019 refusal to back his war on Iran, branding NATO partners \\u201ccowards\\u201d for limiting US forces\\u2019 access to bases on their territories and for refusing to lead efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz.But NATO\\u2019s secretary-general touts a record of pulling Mr Trump back onside \\u2013 and will be looking to do so again when he meets the President, as well as US top diplomat Marco Rubio and defence chief Pete Hegseth.Speaking as Mr Rutte headed to Washington, a NATO official said he planned to \\u201cdiscuss current security dynamics including in the context of Iran as well as Russia\\u2019s ongoing war against Ukraine\\u201d in his talks with Mr Trump.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singapore develops contingency plans in case of disruptions to 2026 haj pilgrimage\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T15:00:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T15:00:11+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Contingency plans are being developed to deal with potential travel disruptions and other unforeseen incidents affecting this year\\u2019s haj pilgrimage, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.Preparations for haj are proceeding as planned, with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) in close contact with Saudi Arabia\\u2019s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on the arrangements, he said, adding that MUIS will continue to monitor the latest developments in the region.Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Associate Professor Faishal said the council is working with the Association of Muslim Travel Agents Singapore and haj travel agents to develop the contingency plans and ensure pilgrims have a safe pilgrimage.\\u201cThese include using direct flights to and from Saudi Arabia, choosing ground transport options less susceptible to disruption, and closer coordination of pilgrim movements in Medina, Mecca and Jeddah,\\u201d he said.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"sayheng\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Opinion: Trump\\u2019s \\u2018wipe out\\u2019 threat was no masterstroke \\u2013 and should not be excused as one\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T14:55:08+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T14:55:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"With a ceasefire in the Iran war now in place, expect the familiar refrain from President Donald Trump's many surrogates in Washington and beyond: that his threat on Tuesday night to \\u201cwipe out\\u201d Iranian civilisation was, in fact, a brilliant stroke of negotiation.There are two reasons to reject that framing.First, whether the bluster had any effect at all is debatable. It is anyone's guess how the current establishment in Tehran arrives at its decisions. But by Mr Trump's own admission this morning, it may have been China that nudged those in control towards the negotiating table. It must also be noted that it was Pakistan that made an 11th-hour public appeal for both sides to agree to a ceasefire, to allow more time for a longer-term accord. All of which suggests the shrillness from the Oval Office was beside the point.Second, and perhaps more important: in America's own interest, rhetoric of this kind \\u2013 read by many as genocidal in intent, even if dismissed by Mr Trump's allies as bluster \\u2013 should not be normalised. It should be condemned in the harshest terms.It is by now well established that Washington's seeming flippancy about the global economic pain that has followed this war, seen by many here in Asia as a war of choice, has sharpened anti-American sentiment across the region.Mr Trump's latest outburst will only entrench the view that Washington under his presidency is not interested in defending the global commons, and may in fact be as dangerous as the actors it claims to be protecting the world from. The question is whether anyone around him will say so.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ling Chang Hong\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Philippine carriers suspend more Middle East flights\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T14:30:03+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T14:30:03+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Philippine carriers have suspended more flights to the Middle East, as the airlines exercise caution amid continuing security risks due to the US-Iran conflict.Budget airline Cebu Air, in a Facebook post, said on Tuesday that it cancelled flights to and from Dubai until April 30, adding \\u201cfurther schedule adjustments may take place\\u201d.Flag carrier Philippine Airlines, in a similar statement, said on Monday that its flights to Dubai and Doha will be suspended until May 31, while flights to Riyadh will be halted until April 9, citing \\u201cpotential risks to critical infrastructure and overall airspace safety\\u201d.Many travelers on these routes are Filipinos working in the Middle East who rely on these flights to move between their workplaces and hometowns.The South-east Asian nation\\u2019s airlines last month announced reductions in both domestic and international flights because of soaring jet fuel prices.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"calistawst\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"How Trump took the US to war with Iran\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T13:30:14+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:44:43+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"On Feb 11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US President Donald Trump and his team in the White House Situation Room for a highly classified presentation on Iran. The gathering had been kept deliberately small to guard against leaks and other top Cabinet secretaries had no idea it was happening.The presentation that Mr Netanyahu would make over the next hour would be pivotal in setting the US and Israel on the path toward a major armed conflict in the middle of one of the world\\u2019s most volatile regions.It would lead to a series of discussions inside the White House over the following days and weeks, the details of which have not been previously reported, in which Mr Trump weighed his options and the risks before giving the go-ahead to join Israel in attacking Iran.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: DOUG MILLS\\/NYTIMES\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"calistawst\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Airlines capacity cuts amid Mid-East conflict comparable to 2008 financial crisis: IATA chief\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T11:46:38+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:41:13+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Global airline capacity cuts as a result of the Iran war are more comparable to those during the 2008 financial crisis than Covid-19, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA) chief Willie Walsh.\\u201cI expect to see crude prices fall, but jet fuel prices remain slightly elevated because of the impact on refineries,\\u201d he said, adding that it will take months for jet fuel supply to get to where it needs to be even if the Hormuz strait were to reopen.Airlines still have a lot of levers but the immediate one will be to reflect higher costs through higher ticket prices, he added.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"calistawst\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Shipowners eye Hormuz ceasefire window for 800 trapped vessels\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T12:45:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:39:21+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Shipowners are scrambling to understand the fine print in a ceasefire that could temporarily open up the Strait of Hormuz, hoping to take advantage of a potential window to extract more than 800 ships trapped in the Persian Gulf.The two sides have agreed a ceasefire in exchange for a reopening of the strait, but the details remain murky. Iran says it has agreed to two weeks of safe passage in coordination with its armed forces and within \\u201ctechnical limitations\\u201d, while US President Donald Trump announced a \\u201cCOMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING\\u201d. It is unclear if the two have settled on payments.For shipowners, however, the news has been enough to prompt cautious optimism. The Japanese Shipowners\\u2019 Association, a major industry group, was among those which said it would check the details of the US-Iran agreement before relaying information.Most, however, warned that more clarity would be required for ships to move, and even in the best case flows would take time to resume. In peacetime, some 135 ships transit daily, a figure that has shrunk dramatically.\\u201cYou don\\u2019t switch global shipping flows back on in 24 hours,\\u201d said Ms Jennifer Parker, adjunct professor at the University of Western Australia Defence and Security Institute. \\u201cTanker owners, insurers and crews need to believe the risk has actually reduced \\u2013 not just paused.\\u201dREAD MORE HEREPHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018Big money will be made\\u2019: Trump says US will help with traffic buildup in Strait of Hormuz\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T12:20:08+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T12:20:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iran can start the reconstruction process and the United States will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, hours after he announced the two-week ceasefire with Iran.In a post on Truth Social, he said: \\u201cWe\\u2019ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just \\u2018hangin\\u2019 around\\u2019 in order to make sure that everything goes well.\\u201dHe added that there will be \\u201clots of positive action\\u201d and \\u201cbig money\\u201d will be made.\\u201cJust like we are experiencing in the US, this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!\\u201d he wrote.PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM REALDONALDTRUMP\\/TRUTH SOCIAL\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"UN chief, Asian nations welcome two-week US-Iran ceasefire\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T12:00:06+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T12:02:36+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the US-Iran two-week ceasefire, his spokesperson said, while urging all parties to work towards long-term peace in the Middle East.\\u201cThe Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of a two-week ceasefire by the United States and Iran,\\u201d his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.He added that the UN chief \\u201ccalls on all the parties to the current conflict in the Middle East to comply with their obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in order to pave the way towards a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region\\u201d.Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also welcomed the ceasefire and called for lasting peace in the region. In a social media post, he said it was imperative that Iran\\u2019s 10-point proposal to end the war be \\u201ctranslated into a comprehensive peace deal, not just for Iran, but also for Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen\\u201d.Meanwhile, Japan\\u2019s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that an actual de-escalation in the Middle East is of top importance and that Tokyo expects a \\u201cfinal agreement\\u201d through diplomatic efforts to be reached soon.Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been seeking summit talks over the phone with the Iranian side, Mr Kihara added.I wholeheartedly welcome the latest development in the current US-Iran war, in respect of the ten-point plan as proposed by Iran and positively received by the US. This proposal augurs well for the restoration of peace and stability, not only to the region but also the rest of\\u2026 pic.twitter.com\\/Gyy9vtjJPD\\u2014 Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) April 8, 2026\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Netanyahu backs Iran ceasefire, says Lebanon not included: Israeli media\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T11:18:43+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T11:49:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel supported US President Donald Trump\\u2019s decision to suspend attacks against Iran for two weeks but said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.The statement contradicted an earlier announcement by Pakistan\\u2019s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has acted as a mediator in the conflict, that said the ceasefire covers \\u201ceverywhere including Lebanon\\u201d.\\u201cIsrael supports President Trump\\u2019s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region,\\u201d Mr Netanyahu\\u2019s office said in a statement.\\u201cIsrael also supports the US effort to ensure that Iran no longer poses a nuclear, missile and terror threat to America, Israel, Iran\\u2019s Arab neighbours and the world,\\u201d the statement added.Prime Minister\\u2019s Office:Israel supports President Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region.\\u2014 Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 8, 2026 PHOTO: ERIC LEE\\/NYTIMES\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"US intelligence report warned of Iran\\u2019s \\u2018persistent threat\\u2019 as White House downplayed the risk\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T11:30:16+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T11:30:16+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The FBI warned US state and local law enforcement of an elevated threat posed by Iran\\u2019s government to targets in the United States in March even as the White House sought to downplay the likelihood of an attack, a law enforcement intelligence report reviewed by Reuters shows.In the March 20 report, the FBI and other federal intelligence agencies cautioned that the Iranian government \\u201cposes a persistent threat\\u201d to US military and government personnel and buildings, Jewish and Israeli institutions and Iranian dissidents in the US.Despite those warnings, the FBI and National Counterterrorism Centre had not identified broad threats to the American public and US President Donald Trump has publicly minimised the possibility of Iranian attacks on American soil.The report was issued weeks after Reuters and other news outlets reported that the White House blocked the release of a similarly described intelligence product.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"China got Iran to negotiate ceasefire deal, Trump tells AFP\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T10:58:26+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T10:58:26+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US President Donald Trump told AFP on Tuesday that he believes China got Iran to negotiate a ceasefire in the war against Israel and the United States.\\u201cI hear yes,\\u201d Mr Trump said in a telephone call when asked if Beijing was involved in getting key ally Tehran to negotiate on a truce.Mr Trump is due to travel to Beijing in May to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.Mr Trump also said that the US had won a \\u201ctotal and complete victory\\u201d with the two-week ceasefire deal.\\u201cTotal and complete victory. 100 percent. No question about it,\\u201d he said.Separately, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also called the ceasefire announcement a \\u201cvictory\\u201d for the United States.\\u201cThis is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen,\\u201d Ms Leavitt wrote on X.\\u201cThe success of our military created maximum leverage, allowing President Trump and the team to engage in tough negotiations that have now created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace.\\u201dIn his call with AFP, Mr Trump added that Iran\\u2019s uranium would be \\u201cperfectly taken care of\\u201d under the deal.\\u201cThat will be perfectly taken care of or I wouldn\\u2019t have settled,\\u201d Mr Trump said, when asked about what would happen to Iran\\u2019s enriched uranium.This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen.From the very beginning of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump estimated this would be a 4-6 week operation.Thanks to the unbelievable capabilities of our warriors, we have\\u2026\\u2014 Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 8, 2026 \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"US, Iran commit to ceasefire but the path ahead remains difficult\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T10:22:21+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T10:28:19+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"An immediate and measurable result of the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, especially for Asia\\u2019s oil and gas importing nations, is that Iran has agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz for the period.Other implications of the ceasefire declared on Wednesday, about an hour before the expiry of a deadline set by Mr Trump to wipe out Iran\\u2019s \\u201cwhole civilisation\\u201d, are far less certain.For one, the ceasefire is yet to fully kick in. Although the US says its attacks have stopped, the region is still seeing some strikes.What is also clear is that hard conversations lie ahead, with negotiations between the US and Iran set to open in Islamabad on Friday.For now, both sides have claimed victory. Mr Trump said he agreed to the ceasefire because the US had already \\u201cmet and exceeded all military objectives\\u201d. He described a \\u201c10-point peace proposal\\u201d received from Iran as a \\u201cworkable basis on which to negotiate\\u201d. He added that \\u201calmost all of the various points of past contention\\u201d have been agreed to between the US and Iran, but a \\u201ctwo-week period will allow the agreement to be finalised and consummated.\\u201dThe sticking point is that there is still no official word - from either the US or Iran - on what is contained in the Iranian proposal.Iran\\u2019s Supreme National Security Council has claimed a \\u201cvictory\\u201d in getting the US to accept its 10-point plan. \\u201cThe enemy has suffered an undeniable, historic and crushing defeat in its cowardly, illegal and criminal war against the Iranian nation,\\u201d a statement from the Council said.A list of 10 points of the Iranian proposal put out by Nour News, a publication backed by the council, contained a recitation of all of Iran\\u2019s hardline demands.These include Iran\\u2019s control over the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of Iran\\u2019s right to enrich uranium, lifting of all sanctions, payment of compensation to Iran for war damages and the withdrawal of US combat forces from the region.It is highly unlikely that the US will accept these demands.Asked for clarity on what Mr Trump meant by the Iranian peace proposal being \\u201cworkable\\\", White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump had prevailed.\\u201cThe truth is that President Trump and our powerful military got Iran to agree to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and negotiations will continue,\\u201d Ms Leavitt said in a statement. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ling Chang Hong\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Asia stocks soar after US, Iran ceasefire announcement\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T09:13:24+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T10:07:03+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Stocks soared in early trade in Asia on Wednesday, following news of the two-week ceasefire and temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.Japan\\u2019s Topix Index rose 3.3 per cent to 3,773.70 as at 9.06am Tokyo time, while the Nikkei advanced 4.1 per cent to 55,624.89. The yen also strengthened against the dollar.\\u201cAs fears of an escalation in fighting dispelled, buying is likely to take the lead in the Japanese market,\\u201d Tokai Tokyo Securities said before the opening bell in Tokyo.In South Korea, the Kospi rocketed 5.71 per cent to 5,808.65.Meanwhile, Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, spiked as much as 4.9 per cent to US$72,738, its highest level since March 18, and was trading just below US$72,000 at 8.25am in Singapore.PHOTO: REUTERS \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Australia PM Albanese welcomes Mid-East ceasefire, says Trump\\u2019s threat \\u2018inappropriate\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T10:00:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T10:00:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Australia welcomes the two-week ceasefire in the Middle East that was reached to negotiate a resolution to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday.\\u201cWe have called for a de-escalation, and that is what has occurred, and that\\u2019s a good thing,\\u201d he said.Mr Albanese also described US President Donald Trump\\u2019s threat to destroy Iran\\u2019s civilian infrastructure as not \\u201cappropriate\\u201d.\\u201cI don\\u2019t think it\\u2019s appropriate to use language such as that from the president of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern,\\u201d Mr Albanese told Sky News Australia.PHOTO: EPA\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Israel says missiles fired by Iran as Trump pauses attack; Israeli strike kills 8 in Lebanon\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T09:00:23+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T09:21:59+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Israel\\u2019s military issued three warnings in quick succession early Wednesday that Iran had fired missiles towards it, moments after US President Donald Trump said he had agreed to postpone striking Iranian infrastructure.\\u201cThe (Israeli army) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,\\u201d the military said on its official Telegram channel.Blasts were heard from Jerusalem and Jericho on the occupied West Bank, AFP correspondents said.The Israeli military told people in the areas affected by the incoming missile warnings to seek safety in bomb shelters. An identical warning from the military followed Wednesday\\u2019s first alert within an hour, and was followed by another less than an hour later.Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed eight people and injured 22 others in the Lebanese city of Sidon, the health ministry said on Wednesday.\\u201cWe were notified of a strike on the seafront road in Sidon. We sent two teams, but they requested backup due to the large number of casualties,\\u201d a paramedic with a local association, told AFP.PHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Oil prices plunge below US$100, gold climbs after Trump agrees to 2-week suspension of Iran attacks\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T07:04:57+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T08:50:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Oil plunged on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump pushed back a crucial deadline as negotiations advance to secure a ceasefire that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, sank 14.7 per cent to US$93.20 a barrel as at 8.10am Singapore time, after Mr Trump agreed to the two-week ceasefire with just hours to go before a deadline he set for Iran to strike a peace deal.The US oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), was down 15.1 per cent to US$93.20.Gold also climbed as much as 3.1 per cent to above US$4,850 an ounce, extending a 1.2 per cent gain in the previous session. Spot gold rose 3 per cent toUS $4,849.01 an ounce as at 8.02am in Singapore.Silver gained 5.4 per cent to US$76.92. Platinum and palladium also advanced.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"The 10-point proposal for the conditional ceasefire, according to Iranian state media\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T08:19:27+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T08:40:32+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Tehran said on Wednesday its 10-point plan for securing an end to the war with the US would require Washington to accept its uranium enrichment programme and the lifting of all sanctions.The Islamic Republic said in a statement released alongside a list of the 10 points published by state media that the plan would require \\u201ccontinued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of enrichment, lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions\\u201d.Other key demands in the blueprint, offered through mediators in Pakistan, include US military withdrawal from the Middle East, an end to attacks on Iran and its allies, the release of frozen Iranian assets and a UN Security Council resolution making any deal binding.\\u201cIt is to be noted that the adoption of such a resolution shall render all these agreements binding under international law and shall constitute a significant diplomatic victory for the Iranian nation,\\u201d the country\\u2019s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement.Crucially, the plan also calls for expanded Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for around a fifth of the world\\u2019s oil that has been effectively blocked to maritime traffic since the start of the five-week conflict.According to an Iranian state broadcaster, here are the 10 points in the proposal: Complete cessation of the war on Iraq, Lebanon and YemenComplete and permanent cessation of the war on Iran with no time limitEnding all conflicts in the region in their entiretyReopening the Strait of HormuzEstablishing a protocol and conditions to ensure freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of HormuzFull payment of compensation for reconstruction costs to IranFull commitment to lifting sanctions on IranRelease of Iranian funds and frozen assets held by the United StatesIran\\u2019s full commitment to not seeking possession of any nuclear weaponsImmediate ceasefire takes effect on all fronts immediately upon approval of the above conditionsPHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pakistan PM says Iran, US agree to ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T08:11:37+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T08:21:58+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iran and the US, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, said Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif.He invited delegations to Pakistan\\u2019s capital, Islamabad, on Friday to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes.\\u201cBoth parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability,\\u201d he wrote in a social media post on Wednesday.\\u201cWe earnestly hope that the \\u2018Islamabad Talks\\u2019 succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days!\\u201dHe had earlier requested that US President Donald Trump make a two-week extension to a deadline he imposed on Iran to end its blockade of Gulf oil.With the greatest humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. I warmly welcome the\\u2026\\u2014 Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 7, 2026PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iran agrees to safe passage through Strait of Hormuz for two weeks \\u2018if attacks halted\\u2019: FM Araghchi\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T07:23:21+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T07:42:28+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Tehran said it would halt its attacks if strikes against Iran stop and that safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz would be possible for two weeks in coordination with Iranian armed forces, according to a statement by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday.Iran\\u2019s Supreme Security Council said on Wednesday negotiations with the United States would begin on Friday in Islamabad after it submitted a 10-point proposal to Washington via Pakistan, Iranian state media reported, adding that talks do not signal the end of the war.The council warned that its \\\"fingers are on the trigger, and as soon as the enemy makes the slightest mistake, it will be answered with full force\\\".Tehran said the talks, which may last up to 15 days and could be extended by agreement, aim to finalise details of the proposal, which includes provisions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and withdrawal of US combat forces from regional bases. Meanwhile, a White House official said the ceasefire will come into force when Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported.Statement on behalf of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran: pic.twitter.com\\/cEtBNCLnWT\\u2014 Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 7, 2026 \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"calistawst\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"The situation so far\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T06:00:33+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T07:14:40+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that \\u201ca whole civilisation will die tonight\\\", threatening a dramatic escalation of the US-Israeli war, as his deadline for Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz neared.With just hours to go before the US president\\u2019s Tuesday 8pm EDT (8am Wednesday, Singapore time) deadline, Tehran was positively reviewing a request by Pakistan for a two-week ceasefire to give more time for diplomacy, a senior Iranian official said. The White House said Mr Trump was aware of the proposal and would respond.Here's an update of the latest developments:\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ling Chang Hong\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump agrees to suspend Iran attacks for 2 weeks\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T06:39:56+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T07:00:14+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US President Donald Trump has agreed to suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks, according to Reuters.In a Truth Social post, Mr Trump said this comes after conversations with Pakistan\\u2019s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.\\\"I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE!\\\" he wrote.\\\"We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate. Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated.\\\"Meanwhile, Israel has agreed to also suspend its bombing campaign while negotiations continue, a White House official told CNN. READ MORE HEREPHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM REALDONALDTRUMP\\/TRUTH SOCIAL\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"calistawst\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018Heated negotiations\\u2019: Trump says US in talks with Iran amid deadline extension request\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T06:15:21+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T06:35:54+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US President Donald Trump said he was in \\u201cheated negotiations\\u201d involving the war with Iran after mediator Pakistan asked for a two-week extension of his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.\\u201cI can\\u2019t tell you, because right now we\\u2019re in heated negotiations,\\u201d Mr Trump said in a telephone interview with Fox News when asked about the Pakistani request.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement earlier that Mr Trump \\u201chas been made aware of the proposal, and a response will come\\\".The comments came shortly after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on social media that talks were \\u201cprogressing steadily, strongly and powerfully\\u201d and that his country asked Iran to \\u201cto open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture.\\u201d\\u201cI can say this \\u2013 that I know him very well. He\\u2019s a highly respected man, all over,\\u201d Mr Trump said, referring to Mr Sharif.Mr Trump earlier on Tuesday threatened to wipe out Iran\\u2019s \\u201cwhole civilisation\\u201d as the US continued attacks on the country\\u2019s main oil export facility. That prompted Iranian mediators to halt its participation in diplomatic discussions, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. READ MORE HEREPHOTO: KENNY HOLSTON\\/NYTIMES\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ling Chang Hong\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pakistan PM seeks two-week extension to Trump\\u2019s deadline on Iran\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T06:10:19+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T06:10:19+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Pakistan\\u2019s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday requested that US President Donald Trump make a two-week extension to a deadline he imposed on Iran to end its blockade of Gulf oil.\\\"To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture,\\\" Mr Sharif said in a post on X.Mr Trump has given Iran until 8pm in Washington - 3.30am in Tehran (8am Wednesday, Singapore time) - to end its blockade of Gulf oil or see the US destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran.Mr Sharif urged \\\"all warring parties\\\" to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks \\\"to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war\\\".He added that diplomatic efforts to settle the war peacefully were \\\"progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future\\\".READ MORE HERE Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future. To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend\\u2026\\u2014 Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 7, 2026PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ling Chang Hong\"}}]}","keywords","Iran, Israel, US, attack, war, Donald Trump, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Middle East, missiles, strikes, Iran news, live coverage, flight cancellations, Singapore, Singaporeans Middle East, live updates, latest, Iran news, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Dubai flights, gold, dollar, flights, oil, petrol prices, Trump live, Trump speech today, Trump address","robots","index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1","gaData",{"_207":208,"_209":21,"_210":21,"_20":211,"_212":213,"_214":215,"_216":217},"level2","23","chapter1","chapter2","Live:_Iran_says_peace_talks_would_be_‘unreasonable’_following_Israeli_strikes","title_ga","Live: Iran says peace talks would be ‘unreasonable’ following Israeli strikes","pagination","1","contenttype","live blog","additionalVariants","dependentPaths",[],"actionData","errors"]