Thursday briefing: ​What difference will the ceasefire in the Middle East make, and will it hold?

In today’s newsletter: The truce offers a reprieve after weeks of turmoil, ​b​ut unresolved disputes and competing interpretations ​of what was agreed, threaten to pull the region back toward crisis​ at a moment’s notice Good morning. On Tuesday, just an hour before the deadline imposed by Donald Trump for Iran to reopen navigation in the strait of Hormuz or face a wave of “civilisation-ending” strikes, a two-week pause in hostilities was announced. After weeks of US and Israeli attacks on T...

By Martin Belam

For Gulf states, Hormuz uncertainty casts shadow over fragile US-Iran truce

Experts say Gulf states wary US could agree to deal giving Iran leverage over strategic energy waterway.

Inside India newsletter: Tariffs and Iran war threaten India's $100 billion garments export goal

U.S. tariffs and the Iran war have battered India’s garment industry, raising costs, hitting exports, and dashing hopes of a recovery.

Pakistan plays major role trying to mediate an end to Iran war

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator between the US and Iran, playing a crucial role in brokering the two-week ceasefire agreement and working with both camps, as well as regional powers, to end the war. Islamabad has ties to Tehran and Washington and is set to hold talks this weekend.

By FRANCE24

Why oil markets could be wildly wrong on Strait of Hormuz

A coffee shop in Tehran captures relief after ceasefire, Iran shares clip | WATCH

While many in the Iranian capital remained wary that the ceasefire could unravel, others expressed relief and even a sense of pride.

Iran announces alternative routes in Strait of Hormuz - The Straits Times

Iran announces alternative routes in Strait of Hormuz  The Straits Times

Israeli strikes kills 254 in Lebanon, putting ceasefire at risk

Israel pounded Lebanon with its heaviest strikes yet on Wednesday, killing hundreds of people and drawing a threat of retaliation from Iran, which suggested it would be “unreasonable” to proceed with talks to forge a permanent peace deal with the United States. The warning from Iran’s lead negotiator, parliament speaker Mohammed Bager Qalibaf, laid bare […]

What Does Iran Ceasefire Really Mean? It Depends On Who You Ask

When Iran first offered a 10-point peace plan to halt the war on Monday, Trump called it "not good enough."

India’s IBC, Jogye lay group discuss cooperation at Bexpo 2026

India’s International Buddhist Confederation and South Korea’s lay Buddhist community under the Jogye order discussed future cooperation at the Seoul International Buddhism Expo, or Bexpo 2026, April 4. In a courtesy meeting, IBC Director General Abhijit Halder and Jung Won-ju, president of the Lay Buddhist Association of the Jogye Order and chair of Daewoo Engineering & Construction, agreed to enhance cultural and spiritual ties between India and South Korea through shared Buddhist heritage. Bu

By The Korea Herald

Commuters in Karachi pay grudgingly as govt’s call to freeze fares ignored

KARACHI: Although a ceasefire between the US and Iran is in place and there is optimism about a significant reduction in fuel prices, citizens using public transport across the city continue to pay inflated fares as bus owners widely ignored a Sindh government directive to freeze fares in return for a fuel subsidy, it has emerged. The practice of overcharging appears to have become rampant, as transporters — including operators of buses, minibuses, Qingqi rickshaws, school vans and goods carr...

By none@none.com (Dawar Shoaib)

Ceasefire fears as Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz shut after Israel kills 250 in continued strikes on Lebanon

Israel pounded Lebanon with its heaviest strikes yet yesterday, killing hundreds of people and drawing a threat of retaliation from Iran, which said the attacks violated a ceasefire deal agreed with the US a day earlier.

From falling U.S. wealth to Indian factory closures, oil shock raises global recession risk

As oil prices surge in the sixth week of the Iran war, businesses across the world are feeling the strain of a widening energy shock.

Asia markets sink on skepticism over U.S.-Iran truce; Iran’s grip on Hormuz sends oil higher

Israel kills more than 250 in Lebanon in deadliest day of war on Wednesday

Israel carried out its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since the conflict began last month, killing more than 250 people on Wednesday and wounding over 1,100, as a bitter dispute over whether Lebanon is covered by the US-Iran ceasefire threatened to unravel the fragile truce within hours of it being announced. At least five consecutive strikes […]

By Newsroom

Rawalpindi declares two-day public holiday in view of US-Iran talks

Several roads in Islamabad will remain closed at different times on April 9 and 10

By Naeem Asghar

Tensions in the Middle East remain high as a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran hangs in the balance (updated)

Ceasefire under strain as regional clashes intensify, diplomatic efforts continue, and global security concerns mount The post Tensions in the Middle East remain high as a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran hangs in the balance (updated) appeared first on ProtoThema English.

By Christine Giannou