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Recap: Pakistan, Switzerland possible locations for second round of US-Iran talks

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Separately, France and Britain will co-host talks on Friday on a \"defensive mission\" to secure Hormuz.

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Daniel Lai, BNB Diviyadhaarshini, Sherlyn Sim

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Published: Feb 28, 2026

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talks","ogTitle","twitterTitle","slug","S’pore PM Lawrence Wong and Brunei’s Sultan, meanwhile, have discussed improving energy cooperation and supply chain resilience.","ogDescription","jsonLd","{\"@context\":\"https:\\/\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"LiveBlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/live-us-trump-israel-iran-attack\",\"headline\":\"Live: US, Israel, Iran crisis (Day 46)\",\"description\":\"\",\"coverageStartTime\":\"2026-04-14T06:00:00+08:00\",\"coverageEndTime\":\"2026-04-14T23:59:00+08:00\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/assets\\/ST-logo-default-aoeSLh4S.png\",\"width\":\"1228\",\"height\":\"96\"}},\"liveBlogUpdate\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Lebanon President hopes Israel talks \\u2018beginning of the end\\u2019 of country\\u2019s suffering\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T23:21:24+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T23:59:43+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Lebanon\\u2019s President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that direct talks on Tuesday in Washington with Israel would lead to an end of his country\\u2019s suffering after war erupted again between Israel and Hezbollah last month.\\u201cI hope that the meeting in Washington... will mark the beginning of the end of the suffering of the Lebanese people in general, and those in the south in particular,\\u201d he said, adding that \\u201cstability will not return to the south if Israel continues to occupy its lands\\u201d.\\u201cThe only solution lies in the Lebanese army re-deploying up to the internationally recognised border, and so being solely responsible for the security of the area and the safety of its residents, without the partnership of any other party.\\u201dAhead of US-mediated talks between the two nations in Washington, foreign ministers from 17 countries, including Britain, urged Israel and Lebanon to seize the \\u201copportunity\\u201d and said \\u201cdirect negotiations can pave the way to bring lasting security for Lebanon and Israel as well as the region\\u201d.The ministers\\u2019 joint statement was signed by ministers from Britain and Australia and European countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, but not Germany, Austria, Hungary or Italy.Israel and Lebanon are set to hold their first direct talks in decades, mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (above, third from left, with envoys and representatives from the US, Israel and Lebanon).PHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"The situation so far\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T23:59:35+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T23:59:35+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"More than 10,000 military personnel, more than a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft are involved in the US blockade of Iranian ports, the US Central Command said on Tuesday.\\u201cDuring the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the US blockade and six merchant vessels complied with direction from US forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman,\\u201d the command said, a day after the blockade took effect.Here are some other latest developments:Negotiators from the US and Iran could return to Islamabad this week to resume talks to end the war, sources say.Despite the US CENTCOM\\u2019s statement, shipping data showed at least four Iran-linked tankers crossed Hormuz, including two vessels under US sanctions for their ties to Iran.France and Britain are set to co-host talks on Friday to discuss a plan to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when security conditions allow.China, the main buyer of Iranian oil, said the US blockade was \\u201cdangerous and irresponsible\\u201d and would only aggravate tensions.Meanwhile, the international Red Cross movement said a shipment of life-saving medical supplies and other aid had crossed the border into Iran, its first since the start of the war.Closer to home, Singapore sectors like property and F&B are likely to face higher costs amid the energy shock from the Iran war, with bunkering already impacted.Singapore and Brunei have agreed to boost energy cooperation and beef up supply chain resilience, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who spoke to the Sultan of Brunei to discuss the two nations\\u2019 responses to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Malaysia has pledged to boost the use of biodiesel to help cope with fuel supply constraints as its economy comes under increasing strain from the Middle East crisis.China vowed it would impose \\u201ccountermeasures\\u201d if US President Donald Trump made good on his threat to impose new tariffs following reports Beijing has supplied or intends to supply weapons to Iran.Meanwhile, South Korea\\u2019s ban on the hoarding of key petrochemical feedstocks has kicked in amid efforts by the authorities to stabilise supply chains.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Red Cross makes first aid shipments into Iran since start of war\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T22:30:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T22:30:25+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The international Red Cross movement said Tuesday that a shipment of life-saving medical supplies and other aid has crossed the border into Iran, its first since the start of the war.The shipment of medical supplies and other aid entered the country on Sunday, the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies said.The IFRC sent trauma kits, \\u201cdesigned to provide immediate, life-saving care\\u201d, IFRC spokesman Tommaso Della Longa said.\\u201cThe operation is critical as humanitarian supply chains into Iran have been severely disrupted in recent weeks due to the conflict, making it increasingly difficult and more costly for essential medical and relief items to reach those in need,\\u201d he said.The International Committee of the Red Cross \\u2013 the other part of the Red Cross movement \\u2013 meanwhile said it had delivered a first cross-border aid shipment of 171 tonnes of essential relief items to Iran on Monday.It said a total of 14 trucks had been dispatched from its warehouse in Jordan, carrying \\u201cvital household items sufficient to meet the needs of nearly 25,090 people\\u201d, including blankets, mattresses, jerrycans, kitchen sets, tarpaulins and solar lamps.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"At least four Iran-linked ships cross Hormuz despite US blockade, data shows\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T21:40:03+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T22:05:15+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"At least two ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday despite a US military blockade, AFP news agency reported on Tuesday, citing maritime tracking data.They were among at least four Iran-linked vessels that used the route after Washington\\u2019s blockade came into effect at 2pm GMT (10pm Singapore time) on Monday, according to maritime data provider Kpler.A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christianna crossed after unloading 74,000 tonnes of corn at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, Kpler data showed.A second ship, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, was near Larak Island and cleared the strait. It was loaded with 31,000 tonnes of methanol and left the Iranian port of Bushehr on March 31, Kpler data showed.A Chinese tanker, the Rich Starry, also crossed the strait overnight from Monday to Tuesday via the Iranian-approved vetting route south of Larak Island.Kpler said that vessel was carrying 31,500 tonnes of methanol and was bound for Sohar in Oman, according to data from its transponder.The Rich Starry is listed by the United States\\u2019 Office of Foreign Assets Control as being sanctioned for its ties to Iran. The Elpis is also under US sanctions for ties to Iran, but the Christianna is not.Media including leading shipping journal Lloyd\\u2019s List interpreted the Chinese ship\\u2019s passage as a \\u201ctest\\u201d of US President Donald Trump\\u2019s blockade.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"How the US blockade of Iranian ports could impact China and India\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T20:38:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T21:48:56+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The ongoing blockade by the United States of ships entering and exiting Iranian ports risks inflicting more misery all round in the form of higher energy prices.Two of Asia\\u2019s largest economies \\u2013 China and India \\u2013 are likely to feel the impact differently, with ripple effects on global energy supplies.China is a key trading partner of Iran. Multiple Chinese and Western sources estimate that about 90 per cent of Iran\\u2019s crude oil exports end up in China \\u2013 up from some 30 per cent a decade ago, after US sanctions squeezed out most other buyers.Iranian crude accounts for roughly 13 per cent to 15 per cent of China\\u2019s total oil imports, according to industry estimates.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"South Korea to ban petrochemical hoarding amid Iran crisis\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T20:15:30+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T20:15:30+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"South Korea\\u2019s industry ministry said on Tuesday it will ban the hoarding of key petrochemical feedstocks and introduce emergency supply-demand controls as the authorities move to stabilise supply chains amid the Iran crisis.The regulation, which will take effect at midnight on April 15 through to June 30, prohibits stockpiling of seven naphtha-based feedstocks including ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene and xylene, as well as other related fractions.Under the measure, businesses handling these materials will be barred from holding inventories exceeding 80 per cent above levels from the same period a year earlier, the ministry said in a statement.PHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"rachaelgoh\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Malaysia to boost biodiesel use to cope with Middle East conflict fallout\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T19:46:06+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T19:47:15+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Malaysia pledged on Tuesday to boost the use of biodiesel to help cope with fuel supply constraints as its economy comes under increasing strain from the Middle East crisis.The government has agreed to increase its 10 per cent biodiesel mandate \\u2013 known as B10 \\u2013 to a 15 per cent biodiesel blend, Economy Minister Akmal Nasir said.It will start with a 12 per cent blend without incurring any additional production costs and using only existing biodiesel blending plants, he said. He did not identify the sectors in which the biodiesel mandate would be applied.Malaysia, the world\\u2019s second-largest palm oil producer, currently imposes a B10 mandate for the transportation sector, though a 20 per cent mandate has been implemented in the federal territory of Labuan, Langkawi island and the state of Sarawak, excluding the town of Bintulu.\\u201cThe government believes that the use of biodiesel will further extend the availability of the country\\u2019s diesel supply,\\u201d Mr Akmal said.The Malaysian government\\u2019s spending has ballooned as it maintains subsidies to keep retail pump prices low, among other measures, despite the surge in global energy costs. The finance ministry said on Tuesday it will spend 7 billion ringgit ($1.8 billion) on subsidies in April.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"rachaelgoh\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"France, Britain to host Hormuz talks on Friday\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T19:00:08+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T19:04:23+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"France and Britain will co-host a video conference on Friday of countries ready to contribute to a \\u201cpurely defensive mission\\u201d to secure the Strait of Hormuz, the French president\\u2019s office said.French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair the meeting to discuss a plan to \\u201crestore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when security conditions allow\\u201d, it said on Tuesday.A spokesman for the British prime minister\\u2019s office said: \\u201cThe summit will advance work towards a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping once the conflict ends.\\u201dPHOTO: REUTERSREAD MORE: NATO allies refuse to join Trump\\u2019s Strait of Hormuz blockade\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"rachaelgoh\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"European airlines urge EU to step in as Iran war chokes jet fuel supply\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T18:00:05+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T18:44:28+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"European airlines have urged the European Union to step in with emergency measures to tackle repercussions from the Iran war, including widespread airspace closures and mounting concerns over jet fuel shortages, a document seen by Reuters showed.Industry group Airlines for Europe has requested that the EU introduce a raft of crisis response measures, including EU-level monitoring of jet fuel supplies, a temporary suspension of the EU\\u2019s carbon market for aviation, and scrapping certain aviation taxes, it said in the document.The aviation sector has been hit by airspace closures since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on Feb 28, with the European Union \\u2060Aviation Safety Agency banning European airlines from operating in the airspace of several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar until April 24.The sector is also staring at a jet fuel crunch after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, industry group Airports Council International Europe warned that Europe could face a systemic jet fuel shortage \\u200bin three weeks.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: BLOOMBERG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Kremlin on Trump\\u2019s Jesus-like image: \\u2018No comment\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T18:30:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T18:31:46+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The Kremlin declined to comment on Tuesday about US President Donald Trump\\u2019s social media post of an AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure, Reuters reported.In the painting-like image, Mr Trump holds a glowing orb in one hand and uses his other hand to touch a seemingly sick man on the forehead. The Statue of Liberty, fireworks, a fighter jet and eagles can be seen in the background.\\u201cI really would prefer not to comment on this at all, so I will leave this without comment,\\u201d Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the image by Reuters.Mr Trump denied the image was intended to show him as a Jesus-like figure.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"China vows \\u2018countermeasures\\u2019 if Trump tariff threat materialises\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T17:32:45+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T17:32:45+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"China vowed on Tuesday it would impose \\u201ccountermeasures\\u201d if US President Donald Trump made good on his threat to impose new tariffs, following reports Beijing has supplied or intends to supply weapons to Iran.Mr Trump said on Sunday he would hit China\\u2019s goods with a 50 per cent tariff if it provided military assistance to Tehran.His comments came the same day US outlet CNN reported that US intelligence indicated China was preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran within the next few weeks, citing three people familiar with the assessments.Over the weekend, The New York Times quoted US officials as saying US intelligence suggested Beijing might have already sent a shipment of shoulder-fired missiles.Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said those reports were \\u201ccompletely fabricated\\u201d during a news conference on Tuesday.\\u201cIf the US insists on using this as an excuse to impose additional tariffs on China, China will definitely take resolute countermeasures,\\u201d Mr Guo said.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: ISTOCK\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Source says Pakistan working to set second round of US-Iran talks, as Swiss offers help\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T17:02:49+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T17:02:49+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Pakistan is working to bring Iran and the US back together for a second round of talks and to secure an extended ceasefire to allow for diplomacy, a senior Pakistani source told AFP.This is as Switzerland said it is ready to provide diplomatic support to efforts to end the Iran war, Bloomberg reported.\\u201cEfforts are under way to bring both parties back to the table. Of course we want them back in Islamabad, but the venue is not final yet,\\u201d said the Pakistanti source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject matter.\\u201cThe meeting could take place soon though dates have yet to be confirmed,\\u201d the source said.The source added: \\u201cWe are also working to get the ceasefire extended beyond the current deadline to allow for additional time.\\u201dSeparately, amid speculation that the country could host talks between Tehran and Washington in Geneva, the Swiss foreign ministry told Bloomberg it is in contact with all parties involved in the conflict.\\u201cSwitzerland stands ready to offer its good offices at any time,\\u201d it said in an e-mailed statement.It added that the Swiss government \\u201chas reaffirmed its willingness to support any diplomatic initiative that can contribute to peace.\\u201dPHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iran to allocate part of oil revenues for reconstruction after attacks, minister says\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T16:30:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T16:30:11+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iranian oil sales in recent weeks have been favourable, and part of the revenue will be allocated to repairing damage to industry caused by wartime attacks, Iran\\u2019s oil minister said on Tuesday.Mr Mohsen Paknejad said oil workers had maintained operations across facilities during the conflict, ensuring oil exports were not halted \\u201ceven for a single day,\\u201d including at key export hubs such as Kharg Island.The minister said last month that the selling price of Iranian crude had significantly increased.PHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Xi says China to play \\u2018constructive role\\u2019 in promoting Middle East peace talks\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T16:00:06+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T16:00:06+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"China\\u2019s President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that his country would play a \\u201cconstructive role\\u201d in promoting peace talks in the Middle East, Chinese news media reported.He also urged respect for sovereignty of nations in the war-torn region, with his comments coming after a first round of discussions between the United States and Iran ended without agreement.\\u201cXi Jinping stressed China\\u2019s principled stance of promoting peace and urging talks, and reiterated it will continue to play a constructive role on this,\\u201d state news agency Xinhua said.Mr Xi\\u2019s comments were part of four proposals he put forth as a way to promote peace in the Middle East, according to state broadcaster CCTV.While he did not elaborate in detail, Mr Xi also stressed the need to safeguard a UN-based world order, and coordinate on security and development issues.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Energy shock from Iran war to hit S\\u2019pore sectors like property and F&B; bunkering already affected\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T15:30:15+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T15:30:15+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The energy shock from the Iran War will cascade down the Singapore economy in direct and indirect ways \\u2013 with businesses in construction, real estate and food & beverage among those likely to face higher costs, on top of transport operators.The bunkering industry, which underpins Singapore as the world\\u2019s biggest refuelling port, is already feeling the impact, according to the Republic\\u2019s central bank on April 14.Overall, a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies poses risks of higher inflation and weaker growth in Singapore, and moderate demand for labour and wage growth, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore in its latest macroeconomic review.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"PM Wong, Brunei Sultan discuss energy cooperation, supply chain resilience in call\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T15:04:39+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T15:10:01+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday that he spoke with the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to convey his Hari Raya wishes and to discuss the two nations\\u2019 responses to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.In a Facebook post on Tuesday, PM Wong said that Singapore and Brunei share a special relationship, having stood \\u201cshoulder-to-shoulder during the Covid pandemic, especially in ensuring access to critical medical supplies and vaccines\\u201d.He added that amid the challenges today, both countries have agreed to further strengthen their energy cooperation and enhance supply chain resilience.\\u201cAs close and trusted partners, we will continue to stay open, keep essential trade and supply lines flowing, and support one another.\\u201cOur teams will be following up on these initiatives, and I look forward to meeting His Majesty again soon.\\u201d \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Many popes have been entangled in politics. Here are 5 of them\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T14:34:53+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T14:34:53+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Pope Leo XIV\\u2019s stand-off with US President Donald Trump is the latest example in which a pope ventured into geopolitical territory, at times directly clashing with the secular authorities or even provoking political change.Pope Francis, who led the church from 2013 until his death in 2025, was considered the most outspoken of recent pontiffs.Meeting in 2021 with Mr Viktor Orban, the hard-right, anti-migrant prime minister of Hungary, Pope Francis told him that God was not a strongman who silenced enemies and that a country\\u2019s religious roots should allow it to extend \\u201cits arms toward everyone\\u201d. Mr Orban lost national elections on April 12.Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Paul VI and Pope Pius XII are other examples of pontiffs who have voiced their opinions on geopolitical issues.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: EPA\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Philippines seeks extension from US on waiver to buy Russian oil\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T14:00:17+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T14:00:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The Philippines\\u2019 Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said on Tuesday that the country is asking the United States for an extension on a waiver to purchase Russian oil and petroleum products, Reuters reported.With the waiver already having expired on April 11, Ms Garin said the government is optimistic about securing the extension but is also preparing alternative supply arrangements in case the request is not approved.She said the Philippines is pursuing diversification of its energy sources and supply options are not limited to Russia, with the government also eyeing producers in South America, including Colombia and Argentina, as well as Canada and even the United States.\\u201cWe wanted to open the Russian window because we want more options. We need diversification,\\u201d she said.Philippine ambassador to the United States, Mr Jose \\u200bManuel Romualdez, said last month that Manila was working with Washington to \\u200bsecure waivers and exemptions that will allow it to obtain oil from US-sanctioned countries.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"daniellai\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"US-sanctioned tanker transits Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade, data shows\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T11:31:52+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T13:36:57+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"A tanker sanctioned by the United States passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, despite a US blockade on the chokepoint, Reuters reported, citing shipping data on LSEG.The tanker Rich Starry is Chinese-owned and has Chinese crew on board, the data showed.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018Blindsided\\u2019: US farmers strained as fertiliser costs surge on war\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T13:30:10+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T13:30:10+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US farmers are facing a double whammy of soaring fertiliser and diesel prices after US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered Tehran\\u2019s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.The cost hikes strike at a major support base for US President Donald Trump, who won 78 per cent of the 2024 vote in farming-dependent counties, said news service Investigate Midwest.Nitrogen fertiliser rose by at least 40 per cent in price since the war, while urea, a common nitrogen-based fertiliser \\u2013 had jumped by around 50 per cent at the port of New Orleans, according to one farmer interviewed by AFP.Two farmers interviewed by AFP said they had to reduce the amount of fertiliser used because of the increase in prices.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"daniellai\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Australia's Qantas warns of big bill from higher jet fuel prices \",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T10:30:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T13:19:05+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Surging jet fuel prices may raise costs for Australia\\u2019s Qantas by up to A$800 million in the second half of this year, the airline said on Tuesday.War in the Middle East has led jet fuel prices to more than double, and they remain \\u201cextremely volatile\\u201d, the carrier said in a market update.The cost of jet fuel in the second half of 2026 is now expected to be A$3.1 billion to A$3.3 billion, it said \\u2013 up from A$2.5 billion in its previous forecast.Qantas said it was working with the Australian government and jet fuel suppliers, who were confident in fuel supply for the rest of April and well into May.Qantas said it was benefiting, however, from a boost in demand for travel to Europe as passengers avoided Middle East routes. It has increased its flights to Paris and Rome.Qantas said unit revenue on international routes was now expected to grow by 4 to 6 per cent year-on-year in the second half of 2026 \\u2013 double its previous forecast.For domestic flights, revenue was set to rise by about five per cent, up from its previous expectation of a three-per cent increase.Qantas said it may have to take further action on fuel prices.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Majority of Israelis oppose Iran truce with public split over whether to respect it: Poll\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T13:00:24+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T13:00:48+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Nearly two-thirds of Israelis oppose the Iran ceasefire but the public is divided over whether Israel should respect the two-week truce or resume attacks on Iran, according to a poll from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.The poll was the first national survey of Israelis conducted after the US and Iran agreed last week to a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, the survey\\u2019s authors said. The two sides failed to reach a broader deal to end the war in weekend talks in Islamabad.The poll was based on a sample of 1,312 Israelis interviewed from April 9 to 10, with a margin of error of 3.2 per cent.Asked what Israel should do about Iran, 39 per cent said Israel should continue attacks, 41 per cent said their country should respect the ceasefire, and 19 per cent said they were not sure.According to the poll, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\\u2019s standing among Israelis has decreased since the start of the Iran war, with 34 per cent of Israelis preferring him as premier now versus 40 per cent at the start of the conflict.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: REUTERS \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"How Iran, suffering under sanctions, diversified its economy \",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T12:30:21+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T12:30:21+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"For nearly 50 years, Iran has been treated as an outlaw, earning a spot as one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world for its nuclear and weapons programmes, its support for terrorism, its human rights abuses and more.But despite persistent efforts by the US, the EU, Britain and the UN Security Council to choke off Iran\\u2019s international trade and freeze assets, the country has managed to keep doing business with much of the world, a New York Times analysis showed.\\u201cThe expectation is that sanctions have isolated Iran from global trade but that is not entirely the case,\\u201d said Mr Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, chief executive of a research organisation based in London.While precise trade figures are difficult to get, China has stepped up as Iran\\u2019s primary trading partner for the past two decades.Both countries have engaged in a complicated barter system that involves secret financing channels. Iran ships oil to China and in return, Chinese state-backed construction companies have built airports and other infrastructure.Iran has also developed an extensive manufacturing sector that produces automobiles, steel, iron, electronics and pharmaceuticals, as well as a thriving business in food products.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: ARASH KHAMOOSHI\\/NYTIMES\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Prabowo\\u2019s Russia trip turns into energy mission after US blockade\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T12:00:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T12:00:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 13, pledging closer economic and energy ties amid rising global uncertainty.The visit was driven by the US threat of a naval blockade on Iran's ports, which has put the Strait of Hormuz \\u2013 a key route for about a quarter of Indonesia's crude imports \\u2013 at risk.Indonesia is seeking Russian oil as an alternative supply source, though analysts warned the costs could actually be higher once freight, insurance and political risks from dealing with a sanctioned country are factored in.The Moscow trip is part of a broader Indonesian push for energy security, which has also included recent stops in Japan and South Korea, though deeper structural issues like insufficient domestic refining capacity remain unresolved.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: EPA\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"daniellai\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Iran slams US blockade as \\u2018grave violation of sovereignty\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T11:02:07+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T11:02:07+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Iran slammed a US blockade around its ports on Monday as a \\u201cgrave violation\\u201d of its sovereignty, as Washington and Tehran\\u2019s belligerent rhetoric rattled a fragile truce, AFP reported.\\u201cThe imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic republic of Iran,\\u201d Iran\\u2019s Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a letter seen by AFP.The \\u201cunlawful\\u201d blockade also \\u201cconstitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea\\u201d, Mr Iravani added.READ MORE HERE \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"sayheng\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What the naval blockade of Iran might look like\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T10:01:32+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T10:01:32+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The US naval blockade of Iran that began Monday has little precedent in recent decades, and the military has offered few details on how it might carry the operation out.But previous operations in the Middle East may offer some clues to what the blockade could look like in practice.On Monday, US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said it would prevent merchant ships from travelling to or from Iranian ports.It said the blockade would be \\u201cenforced impartially against vessels of all nations\\u201d and would apply to Iranian ports on both sides of the strait.Once implemented, navy destroyers could monitor Iranian ports with their radars, or keep a contingent of destroyers on either side of the strait to board ships and use surveillance drones to monitor the ports instead.A vessel identified as a \\u201ccontact of interest\\u201d could be intercepted by a destroyer, and queried for information such as the ship\\u2019s destination, its last port of call, what kind of cargo it is carrying and the number of crew members aboard.The warship could then ask the vessel to accept a \\u201cboarding party\\u201d of sailors to inspect it.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"No phones, separate wings, an unfriendly atmosphere: Behind the scenes at the Islamabad peace talks\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T09:30:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T09:30:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The Islamabad meeting over the weekend was the first direct encounter between US and Iranian officials in more than a decade and the most senior engagement since Iran\\u2019s 1979 Islamic Revolution.Inside Islamabad\\u2019s luxury Serena Hotel, the talks unfolded across two separate wings and one common area \\u2013 one for the US side, one for the Iranians and one for trilateral meetings involving Pakistani mediators, operational staff told Reuters.Phones were not allowed in the main room, forcing delegates, including US Vice-President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, to step out during breaks to relay messages back home, two of the sources said.Two Iranian sources described the atmosphere as heavy and unfriendly, adding that while Pakistan tried to soften the mood, neither side showed any willingness to ease tensions.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Opinion: The Iran war is accelerating the petrodollar's decline\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T09:11:10+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T09:11:10+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"For decades, the US dollar was the world\\u2019s most dominant currency. Over 80 per cent of global oil transactions today are still priced in US dollars.But the war with Iran has administered a shock to that architecture, says former associate editor Vikram Khanna \\u2013 not because it has destroyed the petrodollar overnight, but because it has accelerated several trends that were already gnawing at the system\\u2019s foundations.The petrodollar mechanism - where Arab oil revenues funded American bond purchases in return for military protection - is spluttering at a time when US fiscal deficits are at historic highs and Washington needs buyers for debt. The timing could not be worse, he adds.Second, China has displaced the US as the world\\u2019s largest energy importer, accounting for roughly 15 per cent of global oil consumption. And Beijing would prefer to pay in yuan rather than dollars, for both geopolitical and commercial reasons.Similarly, Russia\\u2019s energy trade since sanctions following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine has been settled in Russian roubles, Chinese yuan and Indian rupees.What is ending, then, is not the dollar\\u2019s dominance but its monopoly. The world that replaces it will be messier, more multipolar, and much less convenient for Washington. The world that replaces it will be messier, more multipolar, and much less convenient for Washington.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Singapore economy grew 4.6% in first quarter of 2026, below forecast with Iran war set to hit growth\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T08:50:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T08:50:11+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singapore\\u2019s economy grew 4.6 per cent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, less than expected, with the Iran war, which began on Feb 28, darkening the outlook for the coming quarters.According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Tuesday, Singapore\\u2019s gross domestic product (GDP) growth moderated from the 5.7 per cent expansion in the previous quarter.\\u201cWhile GDP growth remained resilient in the first quarter of 2026, the US-Israel-Iran conflict that began in end-February may weigh on economic activity in the coming quarters,\\u201d MTI said.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: ST FILE PHOTO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"MAS allows for stronger Singdollar, raises 2026 inflation forecasts on Iran war energy shock\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T08:30:08+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T08:30:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singapore\\u2019s central bank on Tuesday tightened its monetary policy stance for the first time since 2022 to allow for a stronger currency in the face of soaring oil and natural gas prices due to the Iran war.The Monetary Authority of Singapore said it has steepened the slope of the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate (S$NEER) policy band - signalling that it will allow the currency to appreciate and dampen the impact of rising import costs.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"How to plan a trip amid the Middle East conflict, according to travel experts\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T08:15:32+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T08:15:32+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Those planning holidays have become increasingly uncertain about their itineraries amid travel disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East.Mr Tony Loughran, director and founder of specialist risk advisory firm ZeroRisk International, says: \\u201cFor the short term, it\\u2019s very unrealistic that the war is going to end soon. My view is it could escalate to another level involving other proxy countries. For the long term, navigating travel in this climate may just be the new norm.\\u201cThere\\u2019s this huge ripple of insecurity, anxiety and caution in the travel industry. But, at the end of the day, from a travel perspective, we\\u2019ve got to get smarter and sharper, and use technology to our best advantage.\\u201dMr Loughran and other travel experts offer tips on how Singaporeans can plan ahead while keeping safety top of mind.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"UN chief says 'all parties' must respect freedom of navigation in Hormuz\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T07:50:20+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T07:50:20+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on \\u201call parties\\u201d to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran and subsequently the US blocked flows through the critical waterway.The strait \\u2013 through which a fifth of global oil and gas flows \\u2013 has become a key flashpoint as the US and Iran attempt to gain leverage over each other during ceasefire negotiations.Disruptions in the strait \\u201chave already had direct effect well beyond the immediate region, with increased global economic fragility and insecurity in many sectors\\u201d, the UN chief\\u2019s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.The remarks came as the US\\u2019 blockade of ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas took effect on Monday, following the failure of peace talks over the weekend.Iran had already effectively halted traffic through the strait following the US-Israeli attacks beginning on Feb 28.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: REUTERS \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"diviya\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Oil prices drop as US and Iran weigh meeting to revive ceasefire talks\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T07:30:15+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T07:30:15+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Oil fell as US President Donald Trump said Tehran reached out over peace talks after the start of a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.West Texas Intermediate, the US oil benchmark, dropped 1.2 per cent to US$97.85 a barrel, as Brent settled at US$98.The two sides are in discussions about holding more negotiations for a longer-term ceasefire, people familiar with the matter also said, after earlier talks led by Vice-President J.D. Vance failed to produce a breakthrough.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"daniellai\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"IMF, World Bank, IEA urge countries to stop hoarding energy supplies\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T06:51:01+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T07:18:12+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and International Energy Agency on Monday urged countries to avoid hoarding energy supplies and imposing export controls that could worsen what they called the biggest shock ever to the global energy market.IEA chief Fatih Birol told reporters after a meeting with IMF and World Bank leaders that several countries were holding onto stocks and imposing export restrictions, and appealed to all countries to let energy stocks flow to the markets. He did not name the countries.\\u201cDo no harm,\\u201d said IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva, adding that the war would have a more severe impact on growth and inflation if it continued for a prolonged period.Meanwhile, Mr Birol has warned that April could shape up to be a tougher month than March for energy markets and the economy due to the Middle East war.While the month of March saw the delivery of cargo from the region \\u201cloaded well before the crisis started\\u201d, Mr Birol said, \\u201cduring the month of April, nothing has been loaded\\u201d.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"daniellai\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Vatican should \\u2018stick to matters of morality\\u2019: US V-P Vance\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T07:10:21+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T07:10:21+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US Vice-President J.D. Vance urged the Vatican on Monday to \\u201cstick to matters of morality\\u201d amid an escalating row between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war.\\u201cI certainly think that in some cases, it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality... and let the President (of the) United States stick to dictating American public policy,\\u201d Mr Vance told Fox News\\u2019 Special Report with Bret Baier.Pope Leo had earlier criticised the Trump administration over the US-Israeli war on Iran and the administration\\u2019s hard-line immigration policies, prompting a tirade from President Trump who called the American pontiff \\u201cweak on crime and terrible for foreign policy\\u201d.That in turn led to backlash from believers and Christian conservatives as well as world leaders such as Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.Mr Vance, in the same interview, said the US made a lot of progress in the weekend peace talks with Iran.When asked whether more talks were coming, he said the ball was in Iran\\u2019s court.He added that the US expects Iran will make progress on opening the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the negotiation would change if Tehran does not.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"daniellai\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"The situation so far\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-14T06:32:17+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-14T06:32:46+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The United States and Iran are in discussions about holding another round of face-to-face negotiations for a longer-term ceasefire, Bloomberg reported, after weekend talks in Islamabad led by US Vice-President J.D. Vance failed to produce a deal.Citing officials who asked not to be identified, the US news outlet said the goal is to hold fresh talks before a two-week ceasefire announced on April 7 expires next week.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump held an unscheduled news conference at the White House.He told reporters that Iran had reached out to his administration over peace negotiations, even as the US began a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in the war\\u2019s seventh week.The US military on April 13 detailed the boundaries of its Strait of Hormuz blockade, saying it would extend east to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, while ship-tracking data showed two ships turned around in the strait as the blockade went into effect.Here are other developments:Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel, together with the US, had dealt the \\u201cheaviest blow\\u201d Iran\\u2019s leadership had ever seen, as Israel began observing its annual Holocaust Remembrance Day.Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on April 13 urged Lebanon to cancel a planned meeting with Israel in Washington on April 14, reiterating his group\\u2019s rejection of direct negotiations with its foe.The Home Team in Singapore must stand ready to counter security risks, including the threat of terrorism, as the effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East spread globally, says Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam.Retail investors worldwide, including in Singapore, are turning the Middle East chaos into a high-stakes game, as they bet on \\u201cbuying the dip\\u201d trades and sprint for exits on the earliest rallies to cash in.Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met his Russian counterpart, Mr Vladimir Putin, in Moscow on April 13, and they pledged closer economic and energy ties amid global uncertainty.Indonesia can outlast the impacts of Middle East war-fuelled oil price hikes for as long as 10 months without cutting fuel subsidies, said its Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto on April 13.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"daniellai\"}}]}","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, blockade","robots","index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1","gaData",{"_219":220,"_221":21,"_222":21,"_20":223,"_224":225,"_226":227,"_228":229},"level2","23","chapter1","chapter2","Live:_Pakistan,_Switzerland_possible_locations_for_second_round_of_US-Iran_talks","title_ga","Live: Pakistan, Switzerland possible locations for second round of US-Iran talks","pagination","1","contenttype","live blog","additionalVariants","dependentPaths",[],"actionData","errors"]