US-Israel-Iran war LIVE Updates: 'President Trump is clear we can't have a nuclear Iran,' says Sergio Gor

Borrowers hoping to get some more respite in the coming months with another interest rate cut, could be disappointed. Inflation is rising again in India and the conflict in West Asia has led to a spike in crude oil prices and a shortage of LPG cylinders, clouding the near-term outlook. The rupee is also falling, adding in to the Reserve Bank of India’s concerns. As it battles on several fronts, the central bank may prefer to leave interest rates unchanged in the next monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting in April and monitor the situation, say experts.  

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In a press release dated March 12, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas urged TV channels to avoid playing the same visuals again and again since it is an evolving situation. In the inter-ministerial press conference, the I&B Ministry requested channels to play the visuals showing panic with date and time stamped so that the citizens are correctly informed about when the issue from the ground happened.

It also appealed to social media users to not spread misinformation and rumours and post only credible and verified content. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a “restricted meeting” with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressed Pakistan’s “full solidarity and support” for the Kingdom in prevailing challenging conditions in West Asia.

The meeting was held on Thursday after PM Sharif dashed to Saudi Arabia in the wake of a deteriorating situation in West Asia following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

A statement by the PM Office after the meeting and shared on X by PM’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, in the early hours of Friday, stated that the Prime Minister “held a restricted meeting” with the Saudi de facto ruler Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

“The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s full solidarity and support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in these challenging times,” it stated.

Both leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on the recent developments in the region and agreed to work together for regional peace and stability. “The Prime Minister assured his royal host that Pakistan would always stand firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and strive for their mutual desire for peace in the region,” it said.

-- PTI

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday that a new domestic cylinder will be delivered in the coastal state 25 days after the online booking, in keeping with the Centre's March 9 order. He added that for now, commercial users would get only 20 per cent of their requirement, and the industrial gas supply will remain shut. 

He further mentioned that piped natural gas (PNG) users should continue using their existing connection only. 

• Two people were killed after a drone was shot down in the Sohar province of Oman. 
• Emergency sirens were triggered at the Incirlik airbase in Turkiye; the situation is being monitored.
• Casualties continue to rise in Lebanon as evacuation orders expand across the south.
• The number of injured in the Galilee rocket strike in Israel has risen to 80.
• Saudi forces intercepted and shot down a drone approaching the diplomatic quarter.

Donald Trump’s advisors are moving to influence the 2024 election by focusing on the ongoing friction between the U.S. and Iran. With no clear end to the conflict in sight, Trump’s team is positioning itself to shape future foreign policy, news agency Reuters reported.

His aides believe the public’s view of the Iran situation will play a major role in the upcoming vote. To gain a political advantage, they are working to shift public opinion and refine their campaign strategies. Meanwhile, the Middle East remains unstable as both nations continue to trade military and diplomatic moves with no immediate resolution.

Russian crude oil and fuel in around 30 tankers in Asian waters is potentially available for purchase after the US granted a temporary 30-day waiver to buy cargoes that were already at sea, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. 

These vessels are carrying around 19 million barrels of Russian crude and 310,000 tons of refined products. The product is mainly naphtha -- used to make plastics -- and some diesel. The crude is being carried on 25 vessels near China, and there are a number of tankers in the Arabian Sea as well. The tankers in the Arabian Sea are mainly loaded with medium-sour Urals blend. 

Speaking at the India Today Conclave, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said that America is not the one blocking the Strait of Hormuz. He further said that Iran should not target commercial shipping taking place via the strategically vital waterway. 

West Asia crisis: 'Trump clear that we can't have a nuclear Iran,' says US Ambassador to India at the India Today Conclave

Shakti Mathur, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Agrotis Technologies LLP, claimed in a LinkedIn post that hotels in Chennai are adding an LPG surcharge of around ₹15-30 to bills due to severe commercial gas shortage caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict. Mathur wrote, "Chennai hotels are adding an "LPG surcharge" (approx. ₹15–₹30) to bills due to a severe, West Asia conflict-driven commercial gas shortage. Over 10,000 eateries face potential shutdowns, with many cutting menus, limiting hours, or switching to induction."

Around 40 per cent of restaurants will shut down by Friday due to the ongoing commercial LPG supply shortage in the country triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia as well as the inability of many establishments to switch to alternate cooking methods. Besides this, caterers, hotels, canteens and crematoriums have also been impacted by the LPG shortage. 

“Till Thursday, around 20 per cent of restaurants had closed. The number will increase to 40 per cent by Friday as LPG stocks will run out soon,” G Jayapal, president of the Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA) told PTI. 

Even though the central and state governments have suggested alternative cooking methods, the KHRA said that using firewood in hotels in urban areas is not feasible.

“As part of food safety standards, most restaurants in urban areas have adopted modern kitchen systems. They do not have arrangements for cooking with firewood or alternative fuels. Restaurants in urban areas are the worst hit by the crisis,” he said.

Sirens heard at Incirlik air base, key NATO facility in south Turkey, reports state news agency

Arab diplomats are searching for a peaceful way to end the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran. Despite heavy losses, Tehran feels it has the upper hand because it can disrupt the global economy by blocking oil shipments. Consequently, Iran has set very high demands before it will agree to any peace talks, the Wall Street Journal reported. 

According to diplomats, Iran is refusing to negotiate unless the following conditions are met -- an immediate end to airstrikes before discussions begin, firm guarantees that the US and Israel will not attack again, financial reparations for damages caused during the conflict, and withdrawal of US military forces from the Middle East.

Even after two weeks of intense strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and damaged its navy, Iran’s leadership remains defiant. The new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has already threatened to attack US bases and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.

The development comes as global benchmark oil prices jumped above $100 a barrel after Iran targeted cargo ships and tankers.

The Patna district administration has filed 4 FIRs against LPG hoarders in a single day. Two FIRs were filed in the Patna Sadar subdivision and two in the Danapur subdivision against individuals allegedly involved in illicit LPG trade. 

To ensure the fair and steady supply of domestic LPG, the district administration has put its monitoring system on high alert. Under the District Magistrate’s orders, 28 special teams have been formed to conduct regular inspections and surprise raids on dealers.

Authorities warned that anyone caught hoarding or black-marketing cylinders will face strict legal action, including arrests and FIRs. Consumers can report supply issues to the district control room at 0612-2219810 between 9 am and 6 pm for immediate resolution.

Meanwhile, residents were seen standing in queues for LPG cylinders in Mumbai's Kandivali East after delayed deliveries. Many residents told India Today that they had not received their refills for the past few days despite booking in advance. 

People waiting outside the distribution points said that vehicles carrying gas cylinders did not arrive in the area regularly. 

• The UAE says its air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Residents are urged to follow official safety instructions as the situation develops.
• Saudi Arabian officials confirm that air defenses successfully intercepted 50 drones during a massive wave of attacks over the last few hours.
• At least 58 people have been injured in an Iranian missile attack on Zarzir. Most injuries were caused by flying glass shards; emergency teams are on the scene.
• The Israeli military confirms it carried out a targeted strike against a Hezbollah operative in Beirut. This follows a series of intensified operations in the Lebanese capital.
• Loud blasts have been heard and smoke is visible over central Dubai. Local authorities are investigating the source of the explosions near the city's heart.

Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express, will operate a total of 78 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia today, according to an official statement from the airlines.

The carriers will operate their scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat on Friday. With this, both the carriers will operate 6 flights to and from Jeddah, and Air India Express will operate 12 scheduled flights to and from Muscat. 

Additionally, Air India will operate one round-trip from Delhi and one from Mumbai to Jeddah, while Air India Express will operate one flight from Hyderabad to Jeddah and back. The airlines will also operate one non-scheduled flight each to Riyadh from Mumbai and Kozhikode, respectively. 

Air India Express will also operate its scheduled services to Muscat, including one round-trip each from Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. Furthermore, the statement mentioned that all Air India flights to and from North America, Europe, Australia and other regions continue to operate per schedule. 

Full roundup of scheduled, non-scheduled and temporarily suspended Air India, Air India Express flights today