Trump Iran Conflict Escalates Globallyactive

President Donald Trump warned on Monday that U.S. armed forces will destroy any Iranian "attack vessel" that attempts to approach the naval blockade of Iranian ports, which went into effect at 2:00 PM GMT after the failure of peace negotiations over the weekend in Pakistan. "Warning: If any of these vessels approach our BLOCKADE in the slightest, they will be ELIMINATED immediately," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, using all capital letters. The president added that the rest of the Iranian navy had been "completely annihilated" and that his forces will use "the same elimination system" employed "against drug traffickers on ships at sea," referring to the airstrikes his administration has carried out against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific. U.S. Central Command had confirmed hours earlier that the blockade would be applied "impartially to ships of all nations" entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, although it clarified that ships that do not originate from or have as their destination Iran will be allowed to transit the strait. Trump reiterated the start time of the operation in a message on Truth Social: "The United States will block ships entering or leaving Iranian ports on April 13th at 10:00 AM ET. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" The declara…

In early April, Iranian forces shot down a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, which crashed on Iranian territory. The American aircraft was carrying two crew members: a pilot who was flying the fighter jet and a weapons systems officer who was in the back seat. After the F-15 was hit, both crew members ejected and deployed their parachutes. It was then that U.S. forces initiated an operation to rescue the personnel. The first crew member was found shortly after. However, it took nearly two days to rescue the second, who remained injured and alone, hidden in a mountain crevice, while Iranian troops and militias surrounded him with helicopters and drones. The mission took place in southwestern Iran and involved the support of dozens of military aircraft, President Donald Trump announced last Sunday, April 5th, after confirming the rescue of the second airman. According to U.S. authorities, these included fighter planes and helicopters. Furthermore, they said that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) carried out a deception plan, with the aim of buying time to rescue him. According to a senior U.S. government official who spoke to the New York Times on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the agency's campaign sought to spread the word in Iran that they were going to...

"I am not afraid of the Trump administration," and "I will continue to raise my voice to build peace": this is how Pope Leo XIV responded this Monday to the criticisms made by the President of the United States, who called him "weak on crime" and "terrible in foreign policy." The Pope made these statements aboard the papal plane during the flight to Algeria, where he began his third international trip this Monday. No one believed that the prudent and reserved Pope would respond to the questions that journalists asked him aboard as he greeted them individually. "No, I am not afraid of the Trump administration, nor am I afraid to proclaim the message of the Gospel loudly, which is what I believe I am here to do, and that is why the Church is here. We are not politicians; we do not see foreign policy from the same perspective, but rather as builders of peace," the Pope said calmly. Trump is now threatening to block the Strait of Hormuz and accuses Iran of maintaining its nuclear program. He then added to the journalists, numbering around 70, including the correspondent from the EFE agency: "I do not believe that the message of the Gospel should be distorted as some are doing. I continue to speak out strongly against war, striving to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateralism with states to find solutions to problems. Too many people are suffering today, too many innocent people have died, and I believe that someone must raise their voice." He also stated: "L..."

The heated exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, which erupted this weekend, is not an isolated incident or a sudden dispute. It is the culmination of a relationship that has been deteriorating for over a year, fueled by the conflict with Iran, a secret meeting at the Pentagon, and a fundamental disagreement: who has the right to invoke God to justify power. The immediate trigger was a prayer vigil convened by the Pope on Saturday, April 11th, at St. Peter's Basilica, where Leo XIV – the first pontiff born in the United States – condemned the "delusion of omnipotence" that fuels ongoing wars and rejected any attempt to "recruit God" to justify the deaths of civilians. The pontiff did not mention Trump by name, but his words clearly resonated as a direct response to the president's statements, who had threatened to destroy "an entire civilization" in Iran weeks earlier, and whose Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, had called on Americans to pray for victory "in the name of Jesus Christ." On Sunday, Trump responded with a barrage of posts on social media: "Pope Leo is WEAK on security and terrible for foreign policy," he wrote. "I'm not a fan of Pope Leo," he added to reporters upon arriving in Washington. Later that evening, he posted a picture of himself wearing biblical attire, seemingly...

This Monday, April 13th, the conflict in the Middle East entered its 45th day of war. Following numerous negotiations, the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement, and in that context, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would block Iranian ports. Analysis by an international expert Andres Repetto in LN+ Developing news.

The wife of the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, Begoña Gómez, has been charged with alleged crimes of embezzlement, influence peddling, business corruption, and misappropriation of funds. However, Judge Juan Carlos Peinado excluded one of the five charges against her: practicing a profession without proper qualifications. Meanwhile, Gómez is currently on an official trip to China with her husband, the Prime Minister of Spain. The case against Sánchez's wife began in 2024, when a private organization called "Manos Limpias" filed a complaint alleging that she used her position to influence business deals. Developing story.

The governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia addressed the unsuccessful negotiations held on Saturday between Tehran and Washington in Pakistan, aimed at reaching a peace agreement. Following these negotiations, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, revealed in a brief statement on social media that he had a telephone conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, to "exchange views" on "recent developments in the region and the negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad," without providing further details. For its part, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the call and highlighted in a brief statement that, during the conversation, both politicians "discussed the latest developments surrounding the peace negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States." This conversation is the second one held between Araqchi and Bin Farhan in recent days, following another one on April 9th to address the situation in the Middle East, which was the first since the outbreak of the conflict caused by the offensive launched on February 28th by the United States and Israel against Iran. The talks took place in Islamabad days after the United States and Iran agreed on a two-week ceasefire – which was called into question by Israeli attacks on Lebanon – and were intended to…

Every year, on Yom HaShoah, the State of Israel comes to a complete standstill. For two minutes, sirens sound, and the entire nation pauses – on the roads, in offices, in homes – to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. It is a moment of silence that carries the weight of history. But today, that silence resonates differently. For Israelis, their world changed forever, not only because October 7, 2023, marked the largest number of Jews killed in a single day since the end of the Holocaust, but also because, starting on October 8, much of Europe would once again abandon the Jews. October 7 was the day of the massacre. October 8 was the day of judgment: the moment when Europe, 80 years after the Holocaust, was put to the test to see if it had truly learned anything from the demonization and abandonment of its Jews in the past, not just from the Shoah, but from centuries of expulsions, pogroms, ghettos, and blood libels. Even before October 7, Europe was already experiencing a rise in antisemitism: from the far right, from radicalized sectors of the far left, and from Islamist networks that openly demonized the Jewish state. Too often, the response was, at best, rhetorical: empty words, statements with no consequences. Or, in the case of England, indifference and apathy. Following the attacks of October 7, many leaders…

On Monday, Pope Leo XIII told Reuters that he plans to continue speaking out against war following a direct attack by U.S. President Donald Trump on the leader of the Church, which has 1.4 billion followers. Speaking aboard the papal flight to Algeria, where the first American Pope is beginning a 10-day tour of four African countries, the pontiff also stated that the Christian message was being "misused." "I don't want to engage in a debate with him," Leo XIV told Reuters, addressing journalists on the plane. "I don't believe that the message of the Gospel should be misinterpreted as some are doing." "I will continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue, and multilateral relations between states to find just solutions to problems," the pontiff said in English. "Too many people are suffering in the world today," Leo XIV said. "Too many innocent people are being killed. And I believe that someone has to speak out and say that there is a better way." "The message of the Church, my message, the message of the Gospel: Blessed are the peacemakers. I do not consider my role to be political, nor the role of a politician," he stated. "I believe that equating my message with what the president has attempted to do here demonstrates a lack of understanding of the message of the Gospel," Leo XIV told the agency The…

Oil prices surged sharply this Monday, driven by preparations by the U.S. Navy to impose a blockade on Iranian ports, following the failure of peace negotiations over the weekend. U.S. crude futures for delivery in May rose by more than 7%, reaching $103.66 per barrel, while the Brent benchmark for delivery in June advanced 7.2%, to $102.05. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday that military forces would block all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports starting at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday. It also stated that vessels transiting to or from non-Iranian ports would not be interfered with. "The blockade will be applied impartially to ships of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman," the organization stated in a press release. Previously, President Donald Trump had threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement to end the war in negotiations held in Pakistan. In a social media post, he indicated that the Navy would immediately begin the process of blockading any vessel attempting to enter or leave that waterway. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the...

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, announced this Monday that he will organize a summit "in the coming days" with the United Kingdom to discuss a possible "multinational peacekeeping mission" to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which is affected by the conflict in the Middle East. This announcement came hours after the U.S. President, Donald Trump, declared a blockade of the waterway following the failure of negotiations with Iran in Pakistan. "Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, we will organize, in the coming days, together with the United Kingdom, a conference with countries willing to contribute to a multinational peacekeeping mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait," he stated through a message on social media. He emphasized that this would be a "strictly defensive" mission and "separate from the parties in conflict," while explaining that it "would be deployed as circumstances allow," without providing further details about dates or potential participants in this mission. Macron also stressed that "no effort should be spared in quickly achieving, through diplomatic means, a firm and lasting agreement in the Middle East." "Such an agreement must provide the region with a solid framework that allows everyone to live in peace and security," he argued. "To this end, all fundamental issues must be addressed...

OP Pohjola anticipates a slow but gradual recovery for the Finnish economy, although the war could hinder progress.

The Chinese government on Monday called for an "unimpeded passage" through the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized the need to reach an agreement "as soon as possible" to end the war in the Middle East. This statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a blockade of the waterway following the failure of weekend talks in Pakistan aimed at reaching a peace agreement with Iran. "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for international trade in goods and energy. Maintaining security, stability, and unimpeded passage in the region benefits the common interests of the international community," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a press conference. He noted that "the fundamental cause of disruptions to navigation in the Strait (of Hormuz) stems from the conflict surrounding Iran," before adding that "the way to resolve this problem is to achieve a ceasefire and an end to hostilities as soon as possible," according to the Chinese newspaper 'Global Times'. "All parties must remain calm and act with restraint," Guo argued, reiterating that "China is willing to continue playing a positive and constructive role" in reaching a peace agreement that would end the offensive launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel against Iran. Trump announced on Sunday, after…

Pope Leo said Monday that he was not scared of the White House, after U. S. President Donald Trump launched a stinging attack on the Catholic church leader. “I have no fear of the Trump administration,” Leo told reporters on a plane to Algeria after sparking Trump’s fury by criticizing the U. S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran. “I do believe in the message of the gospel, as a peacemaker,” Leo said, adding he will “not shy away from pronouncing [that] message.” The pontiff added, “To put my message on the same plane as what the president is attempting to do here is not understanding what the message of the gospel is, and I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church.” Trump blasted Leo on Monday, accusing him of being “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy” in a Truth Social post that underscores a widening rift between the White House and the Vatican. In his remarks Monday, the pontiff dismissed Trump’s criticism and said, “I have no intention of having a debate with him.” Senior Italian politicians, for whom Catholics are a key constituency, indirectly backed the pope on Monday, as the diplomatic furor escalates. “May the ministry of the Holy Father help foster the resolution of conflicts and the return of peace, both within and among Nations, following the path laid out by his Predecessors, and provide support and comfort to the Christian communities he will have the opportunity to meet during the journey,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a statement published Monday. “Best wishes to Pope Leo for his apostolic journey to Africa,” said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. “I greatly appreciated his call for peace in Sudan. His authoritative words further encourage the Italian government’s commitment through humanitarian missions. Words that represent an important contribution to achieving a ceasefire and the end of the civil war after three years of harsh conflict. “We accompany his mission with prayer,” Tajani added.

About one-fifth of U. S. aluminum imports come from the Gulf and the Middle East accounts for about 9% of global aluminum output.

The economist, famously nicknamed "Doctor Doom" for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, has seemingly transformed into a bullish "Doctor Boom" with his latest economic outlook. Nouriel Roubini now predicts that a "Cambrian explosion" of technological advances – including artificial intelligence – could propel the US' potential economic growth to 4 percent by 2030, and as high as 10 percent in less than a quarter-century, overshadowing Middle East oil shocks and other near-term headwinds. Framing AI...

Malaysia ended last week with seven oil tankers en route via the Strait of Hormuz and a government promise that supplies would last through May. Then US President Donald Trump announced a blockade. Analysts say the escalation in the US-Israel war on Iran puts Malaysia on a collision course with an energy crisis sooner than expected. “Putrajaya has already flagged June as a critical pressure point,” said geopolitical risk consultant Asrul Sani, associate vice-president of The Asia Group. “This...

The head of the Catholic Church, who has repeatedly called for an end to the conflicts in Iran and Lebanon, has received sustained criticism from the US president.

LONDON — Britain is not supporting Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Keir Starmer said Monday. The U.K. leader said in a BBC radio interview that he is focused on getting the vital shipping route open. Starmer, who has come under fire from the U.S. president for not providing full military support for U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran, said he is “very concerned” about the impact of the war on people in the U.K. who’ve “obviously played no part,” adding: “I don’t want them paying the price.” “We’re not supporting the blockade,” he said. Starmer confirmed that Britain does have “minesweeping capability,” but declined to comment on “operational matters.” Emmanuel Macron stopped short of explicitly stating his opposition to Trump’s blockade in an online post Monday, instead warning that the conflict in the Middle East must be resolved “through diplomacy.” “We mustn’t spare any effort in order to quickly reach a strong and long-term resolution of the conflict in the Middle East through diplomacy,” the French president wrote. He said he will co-host a conference of countries that want to take part “in a peaceful multinational mission” to restore freedom of navigation in the strait in the coming days. “This mission [will be] strictly defensive and separate from the belligerents, and will be deployed as soon as the situation permits,” Macron said. Trump announced on his Truth Social platform Sunday that the U.S. would be “blo…

The President of the United States accuses Pope Leo XIV of being "soft on crime and incompetent in foreign policy."

Deputy Secretary Alexander Maslennikov stated that Europe is facing the potential loss of traditional imports from the Persian Gulf, and is also unable to increase its own fertilizer production due to rising gas prices.

Elizabeth Braw, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, discusses the latest on the Middle East conflict as talks between the US and Iran collapsed and President Trump threatened to  blockade the Strait of Hormuz. She speaks on Bloomberg Television. (Source: Bloomberg)

The Lobaev Arms company said the system can be used in remote control mode, as well as in a highly autonomous mode, where AI performs most of the calculations and functions

The arrest of opposition politician Umit Erkol on corruption allegations has intensified claims that President Erdogan’s government is using the judiciary to target political rivals in a sweeping crackdown.

Online data is generally pretty secure. Assuming everyone is careful with passwords and other protections, you can think of it as being locked in a vault so strong that even all the world’s supercomputers, working together for 10,000 years, could not crack it. But last month, Google and others released results suggesting a new kind […] The post Quantum computers to break our codes faster than expected appeared first on Asia Times.

ROMA.- Pocas horas después del inusual ataque del presidente Donald Trump en un posteo en su red social, el papa León aprovechó del saludo a los periodistas durante el vuelo que lo llevó desde Roma a Argel para salir a responderle. Preguntado si le tiene miedo a la administración Trump, como sostenía el presidente de su país, sonriente y muy sereno, contestó: “No, no le tengo miedo a la administración Trump o de proclamar en voz alta el mensaje del Evangelio, que es lo que creo que tengo que hacer, que es el motivo por el que la Iglesia está aquí”, afirmó. “No soy un político, no vemos a la política exterior con la misma perspectiva, sino como constructores de paz”, añadió, con su estilo parco. “No tengo intención de entrar en debate con él”, subrayó. “El mensaje es siempre el mismo, promover la paz y lo digo a todos los líderes del mundo, no sólo a él”, también dijo. “Pienso que el mensaje del Evangelio no debe ser abusado como algunos están haciendo y yo sigo hablando con fuerza en contra de la guerra, tratando de promover la paz, promoviendo el diálogo y el multilateralismo con los Estados para buscar soluciones a los problemas”, subrayó. “Demasiada gente está sufriendo hoy, demasiados inocentes han sido matados y creo que alguien tiene que levantarse y decir que hay un camino mejor”, planteó. Como Trump escribió un largo comentario en su red social “Truth” (Verdad), Robert Prevost, nacido en Chicago hace 70 años, comentó: “es irónico el mismo nombre del sitio, y no agrego más”. “Pienso que las personas que leen, pueden sacar sus propias conclusiones”, también dijo, refiriéndose al posteo, en el cual Trump hasta escribió que Robert Prevost fue electo en el cónclave de mayo del año pasado gracias a él: “Si yo no estuviera en la Casa Blanca, León no estaría en el Vaticano”, escribió. Trump se negó el lunes a disculparse por criticar al papa León XIV. “No hay nada por lo que disculparse. Está equivocado”, dijo a periodistas. “El papa León dijo cosas que son incorrectas. Estaba muy en contra de lo que estoy haciendo con respecto a Irán, y no se puede tener un Irán nuclear”, afirmó el mandatario y agregó que el papa era “muy débil en materia de delincuencia y en otras cosas”. El increíble posteo de Trump, evidentemente molesto con los reiterados llamados a la paz de León, que consideró además “inaceptable” su apocalíptica amenaza contra Irán del martes pasado y que el sábado en un vigilia por la paz condenó el “delirio de omnipotencia agresivo” que impulsa las guerras, causó enseguida reacciones en todo el mundo. Incluso la primera ministra italiana, Giorgia Meloni, “amiga” y aliada de Trump, calificó este lunes de “inaceptables” sus críticas al Papa. “Considero inaceptables las palabras del presidente Trump sobre el Santo Padre. El papa es el jefe de la Iglesia católica, y es justo y normal que pida la paz y condene todas las formas de guerra”, afirmó en un comunicado. Antes, el arzobispo Paul S. Coakley, presidente de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos, expresó su consternación por el ataque del presidente de su país. “Me duele profundamente que el presidente haya optado por escribir palabras tan despectivas sobre el Santo Padre. El Papa León XIV no es su adversario, ni es un político. Es el Vicario de Cristo, que habla desde la verdad del Evangelio y vela por el bienestar de las almas”, declaró en un comunicado. @BishopScicluna says Church in Malta stands behind the Holy Father following unjustifiable attack by US President. He has conveyed his concerns on this matter to the US Ambassador to Malta and assured her that the Church in Malta stands with @Pontifex.https://t.co/HsCZkl0Olj — Archdiocese of Malta (@Archdiocese_MT) April 13, 2026 Coincidió la Conferencia Episcopal italiana (CEI), que también hizo hincapie en que el Papa no es ningún rival del inquilino de la Casa Blanca y recalcó que “en un tiempo marcado por el conflicto y la tensión internacional, su voz representa un llamado exigente a la dignidad humana, al diálogo y a la responsabilidad”. “Las iglesias en Italia renuevan su cercanía y afecto al Papa, esperando el respeto de todos hacia él y su ministerio”, añadió. En línea con lo anterior, el arzobispo de Malta, Charles Scicluna, muy cercano al Papa, fue más allá: tildó de “injustificable” el ataque al Santo Padre de parte de Trump e informó que se había comunicado con el embajador de Estados Unidos en Malta para transmitirle su preocupación. “Roma respalda al Papa León XIII. Los ataques de Donald Trump contra su elevada enseñanza espiritual y su compromiso con la paz son inaceptables y ofenden la sensibilidad y la conciencia”, escribió por su parte en su cuenta de X el alcalde de Roma, Roberto Gualtieri. “La ciudad de Roma, unida de manera singular a su obispo, reafirma firmemente los valores del respeto, el diálogo y la paz”. Roma è vicina a Papa Leone. Gli attacchi di Donald Trump al suo alto magistero spirituale e al suo impegno per la pace sono inaccettabili e feriscono sensibilità e coscienze. La città di Roma, legata in modo unico al suo Vescovo, ribadisce con fermezza i valori del rispetto, del… — Roberto Gualtieri (@gualtierieurope) April 13, 2026 También el presidente iraní, Masoud Pezeshkian, condenó el “insulto” dirigido al papa León XIV “en nombre de la gran nación de Irán”. “Declaro que la profanación de Jesús, el profeta de la paz y la fraternidad, es inaceptable para cualquier persona libre”, afirmó. عالی جناب پاپ لئون چهاردهم (@Pontifex) به نمایندگی از ملت بزرگ ایران توهین به جنابعالی را محکوم می‌کنم و اعلام میدارم هتک حرمت عیسی (ع)، پیامبر صلح و برادری برای هیچ آزاده‌ای قابل قبول نیست. از الله برای شما سربلندی آرزو میکنم. https://t.co/9ZLi54FjKn — Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) April 13, 2026 Más tarde se sumó el jefe de gobierno español, Pedro Sánchez, principal adversario de Trump en Europa, en el fuerte respaldo al Pontífice. “‘Quien siembra vientos, recoge tempestades’. Mientras algunos siembran el mundo de guerras, León XIV siembra la paz, con valentía y coraje. Será un honor recibirle en España dentro de unas semanas”, escribió en redes sociales. "Quien siembra vientos, recoge tempestades". Mientras algunos siembran el mundo de guerras, León XIV siembra la paz, con valentía y coraje. Será un honor recibirle en España dentro de unas semanas. — Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 13, 2026 El padre jesuita Antonio Spadaro, exdirector de la Civiltá Cattolica y número dos del Dicasterio de Cultura del Vaticano, por su parte, consideró que el ataque de Trump en verdad revela “un malestar profundo”. “Cuando el poder político se ensaña en contra de una voz moral, es porque no puede contenerla. Trump no le discute a León: lo implora para que vuelva a un lenguaje que pueda dominar. Pero el Papa habla otro lenguaje, que no se deja reducir a la gramática de la fuerza, de la seguridad, del interés nacional”, analizó. “En ese sentido, el ataque es una declaración de impotencia: al no poder asimilar esa voz, el poder intenta desacreditarla. Pero haciéndolo, reconoce su peso: si León fuera irrelevante, no se merecería una palabra. Es aquí que emerge el poder de la Iglesia”, agregó, en su X. Donald J. #Trump targets #PopeLeo XIV—and in doing so, reveals a deeper unease. When political power turns against a moral voice, it is often because it cannot contain it. Trump does not argue with Leo; he implores him to return to a language he can control. But the Pope speaks… pic.twitter.com/X7kesOFAiY — Antonio Spadaro (@antoniospadaro) April 13, 2026 Más allá del revuelo, tal como dijo claramente a los periodistas durante el vuelo que lo llevó a Argelia - primera etapa de un gira africana que también lo llevará a Camerún, Angola y Guinea Ecuatorial-, León XIV confirmó que no dejará intimidarse y seguirá con su rol de mensajero del Evangelio. En su primer discurso en la tierra donde nació San Agustín, ante el emblemático monumento a los mártires de Argel, volvió a hacer un fuerte llamamiento a la paz. “Detenerse ante este Monumento es un homenaje a esa historia y al alma de un pueblo que ha luchado por la independencia, la dignidad y la soberanía de esta nación”, dijo. “En este lugar recordamos que Dios desea la paz para cada país; una paz que no es sólo ausencia de conflicto, sino expresión de justicia y de dignidad. Esta paz, que permite enfrentar el futuro con ánimo reconciliado, es posible solamente con el perdón”, siguió. “La lucha verdadera por la liberación será ganada definitivamente sólo cuando la paz se haya conquistado finalmente en los corazones. Sé cuán difícil sea perdonar. Sin embargo, mientras los conflictos se multiplican continuamente en todo el mundo, no se puede añadir resentimiento al resentimiento, de generación en generación”, planteó, en un mensaje evidentemente no sólo destinado a Argelia.

US President Donald Trump’s plan for a full naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz threatens to deepen an already unprecedented crisis.

The US president launches an unprecedented attack on Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff's rejection of the Iran war, accusing him of being "weak on crime" and hurting the Catholic Church.

The US announced a blockade against ships calling at Iranian ports, ramping up pressure on the Middle East nation after marathon peace talks over the weekend ended without a deal. Action was due to start Monday at 10am New York time (10pm Hong Kong), according to US Central Command. Vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports won’t be affected, it said. President Donald Trump had earlier said that the blockade would cover all ships using the vital waterway. “Any Iranian...

Off the northern boundary of the Spratly Islands, winds howl and waves surge. A Japanese-flagged oil tanker ploughs through these disputed waters in the South China Sea. The Towa Maru, measuring roughly 340 metres (1,115 feet) long and 60 metres wide, rivals an aircraft carrier in sheer bulk. A Chinese satellite locks its gaze upon the vessel, 35,800km (22,245 miles) overhead. Last month, China released a series of undated radar images of the Towa Maru. It marked the first time ever that a...

Rapidly strengthening storm brings destructive winds, flooding risk and dangerous seas to western Pacific The Mariana Islands archipelago in the western Pacific, home to the US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, is bracing for extreme weather early this week as Super Typhoon Sinlaku approaches. The system originated as a cluster of thunderstorms over the seas of Micronesia before strengthening into a tropical storm and then a typhoon on Friday and Saturday. Continue reading...

PM rejects claim plan is integration with EU ‘by stealth’, saying changes will happen only if parliament passes law UK politics live – latest updates Keir Starmer has defended plans for the UK to align more closely with some EU rules without parliamentary votes, saying a closer relationship with Europe “is in the UK’s best interest”, particularly given the international turmoil over the Iran war. Speaking to the BBC after the Guardian revealed that ministers were planning to use so-called Henry VIII powers to dynamically align with EU rules by default, Starmer argued that, nearly 10 years after the Brexit referendum, it was time to “look forward”. Continue reading...

We speak to an influential voice on European reform, the former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, author of a landmark report on the future of the Single Market, presented in April 2024. Two years on, he says many of its recommendations remain unimplemented, warning that continued fragmentation of the Single Market – and by extension the energy market – is contributing to higher costs for the EU amid the war in the Middle East. We also ask him about the EU’s plans for a digital single currency, alongside a report on the issue from our correspondent Alix Le Bourdon.

Singapore is at the sharp end of the energy crisis. Imported natural gas accounts for an estimated 95 per cent of the city state’s electricity generation. According to Nomura, Singapore is the fourth most vulnerable Asian economy to the energy shock emanating from the war in Iran, based on a set of criteria that includes the share of fossil fuels in energy consumption and the proportion of energy imports from the Gulf. Last month, Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the...

During a visit to the project, Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing stated that a mega-dam in Tibet must prioritize ecological integrity and safety. The dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River will be the world's largest hydropower facility and is a key component of China's plans to harness the potential of the Tibetan Plateau by promoting regional growth through green energy and infrastructure. India has repeatedly voiced concerns that the project could lead to water shortages and ecological damage.

PM says opening waterway is ‘vital’ as he rules out any UK involvement in US moves to blockade strait Good morning. The parliamentary recess is over, the Iran war disaster isn’t, campaigning is ramping up because the May elections are less than four weeks to go, and there will be plenty for MPs to discuss as they meet in the Commons this afternoon. The full timetable, as usual, is down below. Keir Starmer is in Greater Manchester this morning, on a visit linked to the English local elections. But he is expected to be in the Commons later giving an update on the UK response to the Iran war, and in an interview on Radio 5 Live a few minutes ago he confirmed that Britain will not join the US in enforcing the new blockade of the stait of Hormuz proposed by Donald Trump. We’re not supporting blockade. The strait is shut or not free for navigation in the way it should be. That means that oil and gas is not getting to market. That means the price is going up. That means everybody listening to this is facing higher energy bills. And I don’t want that to happen. I want their energy bills to be stabilised and lower. And so it is, in my view, vital that we get the strait open and fully open. Continue reading...

Now that the United States has failed to get Iran to accept all its demands, "unattractive options" are what remain for Washington, the TV channel noted

China’s reported decision to halt sulphuric acid exports, together with the failure of peace talks between the United States and Iran over the weekend, risks driving prices higher and disrupting global mining and fertiliser supply chains that have few readily available alternatives. Beijing had indicated it would halt shipments of sulphuric acid from May, according to reports from Acuity Commodities and Bloomberg, though no official announcement has been made. Economists said food security sat...

Trump vowed to block all vessels passing through the Strait after weekend talks with Iran broke down, causing oil and natural gas prices to climb sharply.

The world’s largest water fight erupted across Bangkok on Monday as the three-day annual Songkran festival drew a surge in tourists to a country whose bruised economy badly needed a reason to celebrate. Thailand has refused to let a fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran dampen its traditional New Year’s celebrations, even as prices spike for everything from petrol to ice during the hottest month of the year. The water festival – also known as Thingyan in neighbouring Myanmar and...

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has published an interactive 3D model and details of the components used in Russia's Knyaz Veshchy Oleg reconnaissance drones, within the "Components in Weapons" section of the War & Sanctions portal.

Andrey Marochko said the greatest losses in manpower were inflicted on the Ukrainian armed forces in the area of responsibility of Battlegroup Center

The US president accuses Leo of being "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy".

According to Business Standard, the decline in stock indices was driven by investor concerns over a potential new escalation around Iran and the resulting rise in oil prices

The conflict in the Middle East entered its 45th day of war on Monday, April 13th. Following a marathon round of negotiations, the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement, and in that context, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would block Iranian ports. Here are the key points to understand what is happening and why it is concerning the world. Key news developments in the conflict today: Donald Trump set a date and time for the U.S. to begin blocking Iranian ports. Pope Leo XIV called for peace in Lebanon and demanded a ceasefire. In response to the Pope's statements, the U.S. leader replied: "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon." The price of oil is rising again after the failed negotiations between the United States and Iran. A barrel of Brent crude is now above US$100. From Tehran, it was stated that the talks in Islamabad failed because the United States did not inspire confidence. Other important developments: Iran claimed that 3375 people have died in the war against the United States and Israel. Trump threatened China with a 50% tariff if it provides military aid to Iran. Putin expressed his willingness to participate in mediation in the Middle East during a phone call with the president of Iran. Iran stated that it was "very close" to an agreement in Pakistan. Why the United States and Israel attacked Iran: Eight months ago…

Burundi nominated former Senegal president Macky Sall for UN chief, but Africa's backing fractured. AU procedural disputes, objections and regional politics scuppered a united endorsement.

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that the U.S. Navy will begin a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and will prohibit vessels that pay tolls to Iran from navigating in international waters. The U.S. Central Command announced that the operation will begin this Monday at 10:00 AM (Eastern Time), with the aim of blocking Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Persian Gulf and taking control of maritime traffic in the strait. Trump also stated that he is not concerned about a potential resumption of negotiations with Iran following the failure of weekend talks in Pakistan. "I don't care if they come back or not," he told reporters in Maryland on Sunday. "If they don't come back, it doesn't matter to me," he added. For its part, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned that "the approach of warships to the Strait of Hormuz is considered a violation of the ceasefire." Following the announcements, oil prices rose at the beginning of the day: U.S. crude advanced 8%, to $104.24 per barrel, while Brent rose 7%, to $102.29. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces continued their offensive in Lebanon against Hezbollah, and during the early morning hours, they destroyed underground tunnels that, according to them, were used to organize activities by the group. Below is minute-by-minute coverage: Australia stated that it had not received any requests...

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Walk into a bank and you will probably hear the tapping of keyboards and see smartly dressed staff. Now, you may also catch the scent of Singapore’s renowned pandan cake. It is an unusual combination – but you are not mistaken. You have arrived at OCBC Hong Kong’s new branch in Central. In an era when banking is increasingly conducted on smartphones and laptops, physical branches might feel like relics of the past. Yet...

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday criticized Pope Leo XIV, accusing the pontiff of being "WEAK on Crime" and "terrible for Foreign Policy" in a Truth Social post that highlights a growing divide between the White House and the Vatican. Trump's 334-word statement followed recent remarks by Leo condemning the Israeli-U.S. war in Iran, including describing a threat by Trump to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure as "truly unacceptable." "God does not bless any conflict," Leo wrote on X Friday. "Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs." In what appeared to be a response, Trump criticized the pope for "catering to the Radical Left" and failing to support the U.S. on matters of national security. "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA," Trump wrote, referring to Louis Prevost, who lives in Florida. "He gets it, and Leo doesn't!" "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don't want a Pope who thinks it's terrible that America attacked Venezuela," Trump said. The U.S. president, who was raised Presbyterian, followed up his comment with a post featuring an image of himself as a Christ-like figure healing a sick man while eagles and jet planes soared overhead. Trump also questioned the legitimacy of Leo's election, claiming, without evidence, that his own presidency had en...

This process could benefit both sides, Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said

"The Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute anyone who buys or sells sanctioned Iranian oil," US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said

Singapore’s central bank is poised to tighten policy, potentially becoming one of the first in Asia to adjust settings following the Middle East conflict.

Market sentiment is negative following the collapse of negotiations between the United States and Iran. In the wake of this breakdown, the American president announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Passenger flight cuts triggered by surging fuel prices could temporarily affect Hong Kong’s status as a transit hub, but the impact will be relative and depend on how long the Middle East conflict lasts, aviation experts have said. Steven Cheung King-lung, chairman of the Hong Kong Professional Airline Pilots Association, said on Monday that the city faced fierce competition in the region not only from Singapore, but also from the Greater Bay Area, as well as from Japan and South Korea. “While...

Over the past day, April 12, five settlements in the Kharkiv region came under Russian strikes, resulting in casualties.

Economist and CEO Nouriel Roubini says decisive escalation can force a surrender from Tehran and bring a durable end to the Iran war, even as it risks ever higher oil prices. He speaks to Bloomberg's David Ingles at the Greenwich Economic Forum in Hong Kong. (Source: Bloomberg)

Trump has warned of a long-lasting impact from the move, saying that oil and gasoline prices may remain high through November’s midterm elections.

Trump: "Other nations are working to ensure that Iran cannot sell oil."

The yen has been hovering around 159.70, near the 160 yen level many consider to be intervention-danger zone and Japan’s trade minister said that a rate increase could be one way to bolstering the currency.

Taiwan has formally inaugurated its first national-level robotics hub. The National Center for AI Robotics, established under the National Institutes of Applied Research, is a strategic bet on converting academic research into globally competitive companies. The center is expected to anchor the island's push to build a world-class intelligent robotics industry.

In today’s newsletter: Orbán concedes defeat after 16 years in power, ushering in a new era for Hungary’s relations with the EU, US and Russia. Good morning. The people of Hungary are waking up in an unfamiliar political landscape – one in which Viktor Orbán, who has served as prime minister since 2010, is stepping aside after defeat to Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party has won an election likely to reshape the country’s ties with the EU, the US and Russia. Less than three hours after polls closed on Sunday, Orbán conceded defeat after what he described as a “painful but unambiguous” result. Magyar, who has pledged to repair Hungary’s strained relationship with the EU, crack down on corruption and channel funds towards long-neglected public services, said Tisza voters had rewritten Hungarian history and that “truth prevailed over lies”. Middle East | Donald Trump has said the US will begin blockading the strait of Hormuz in an attempt to take control of the strategic waterway from Iran in the aftermath of failed peace negotiations. Carers | Thousands of unpaid carers will continue to be hit with hefty and potentially unfair benefit repayment demands, as a government initiative gets under way to fix welfare injustices that have drawn comparison to the Post Office scandal. UK news | The Home Office is to announce the closure of 11 asylum hotels this week as part of its pledge to close all such facilities by the end of this parliament. Ireland | Police have cle…

President Donald Trump has ordered the US navy to blockade the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks with Iran failed in Islamabad. The Lebanese Prime Minsiter, meanwhile, said he was working to stop the Israel-Hezbollah war, ahead of talks in Washington on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US Navy would impose a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, announced after failed face-to-face talks in Islamabad, signals a perilous new phase of the Iran war, one that threatens to prolong the oil shock’s impact on the global economy and entrench US forces in a long-term conflict. […] The post Dueling Hormuz blockades push world to the brink appeared first on Asia Times.

Netflix's hit series Beef returns for season 2 while London's V&A East celebrates British Black music in a landmark new exhibition. Here's what else to look out for this week.

Southeast Asian nations called on the US and Iran to continue negotiations to end their conflict after talks over the weekend fell through.

Researchers say hardship is a direct consequence of welfare benefit cuts implemented by Conservative governments in recent years. More than a fifth of all British children, part of the so-called "austerity generation," have experienced poverty for at least half of their childhood, a direct result of welfare benefit cuts imposed by Conservative governments in recent years, research reveals. The proportion of children born after 2013 who spent at least six of their first 11 years of life in hardship increased significantly after ministers froze benefit levels for working-age adults and implemented policies such as the two-child limit, the research found.

Exclusive: MPs say profit-making levels in England are ‘scandalous’ and call for cap on amount private companies can make from NHS Private firms providing services to the NHS including healthcare and consultancy have made £1.6bn in profits over the last two years, research reveals. The findings – on the basis of contracts worth £12bn – have prompted claims of “scandalous” profiteering, concern that the health service is being “taken for a ride” and calls for ministers to impose a cap on maximum profit levels. £2bn of the £12bn of contracts went to firms with owners based outside the UK. £533m of that £2bn went to companies owned by people living in tax havens such as Jersey and the Cayman Islands. Firms, especially those owned by private equity outfits, used £353m of their £12bn NHS income to pay interest on debts. Continue reading...

The political aftershocks from Sunday's election in Budapest comes at a volatile time amid a collapsing ceasefire between the United States and Iran as Tehran re-imposes a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, back in Brussels, the 2028-2034 budget is on the table.

Coach believes there’s no limit to 18-year-old’s talent while athlete himself says he’s ‘ready for more’ Having cracked the 20-second barrier with a sizzling run over 200m – and in the process fulled comparisons with the great Usain Bolt – the question now is, how fast can Gout Gout go? “How long’s a piece of string?” said Gout’s coach and mentor, Di Sheppard, after he clocked 19.67sec at the Australian championships in Sydney on Sunday. Continue reading...

The total combat losses of Russian forces from February 24, 2022, to April 13 2026 in the war against Ukraine amount to approximately 1,312,140 personnel, including 960 over the past day.

"This conflict is no longer doing anyone any good," Nikolay Azarov said

Naval embargo designed to cut off Iran’s exports threatens to destabilise global energy markets

Pope Leo XIV on Monday begins his most ambitious trip since becoming head of the Catholic Church, travelling across four African countries with a focus on peace, inequality and interfaith dialogue.

Vice President JD Vance led the highest-level talks between the United States and Iran in nearly 50 years.

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that he is not concerned about a potential resumption of negotiations with Iran following the failure of talks in Pakistan, and maintained that the situation in the Persian country is critical. This statement came alongside the announcement of a naval blockade of its ports, starting this Monday. Speaking to journalists at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump said: "I don't care if they come back or not. If they don't come back, I'm fine." He then added: "Their military strength is gone, and their missiles are largely depleted. Their missile and drone manufacturing capabilities are largely destroyed." The President also questioned Tehran's actions within the framework of the negotiations. "We have been very kind. We haven't destroyed too many bridges. We only destroyed one because they broke their word, they broke their promise. And remember, their promise was that they would open the Strait of Hormuz. They didn't. They lied," he stated. Trump also addressed the internal situation in Iran and its nuclear program. "I believe Iran is in a very bad situation. I believe they are very desperate. We had a meeting that lasted twenty-one hours. We understand the situation better than anyone. Just so you understand, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. They will not have it. There is no way they are going to get it. They still want it, and they made that clear the other night," he asserted. These statements were released after the U.S. Central Command announced...

The only request received by Canberra concerned support for Gulf countries, Anthony Albanese said

China’s tea-drink market, with estimated annual sales of 370 billion yuan (US$54.2 billion), has become yet another example of involution as brutal price competition threatens to expel thousands of unprofitable small players. The dire scenario represents a rude reminder to those who hope to strike it rich by investing in a fast-growing business in mainland China’s vast consumer market, which abounds with boom-to-bust cycles. “Bubble tea is a dynamic market, and it is never easy to make money...

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘Cancelling orders’ in China: Hormuz oil crisis hits transport and manufacturing 2. ‘A big deal’: military drills show Tokyo’s growing focus on deterring China 3. UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation 4. Why has China mapped out a third new county in Xinjiang on its...

President Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, saying he didn't think the U. S.-born global leader of the Catholic Church is "doing a very good job." (Image credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The Ukrainian president will be at Palazzo Chigi this afternoon. A ceasefire is currently in effect for the Orthodox Easter holiday.

The US president believes that Leo XIV was put on the candidates list "because he was an American"

UK could make migrants wait up to 20 years before becoming settled – making it one of the longest waits in world

The Dutch king and queen are scheduled to stay at the White House on Monday night. Amidst current tensions between the Atlantic nations, the Netherlands is uncertain about how to feel about this.

A cluster of Chinese firms is poised to win big from the energy crisis set off by the war in the Middle East, building on booming investment in artificial intelligence.

The move was a tacit acknowledgment of China’s dominance in the global market and the power of its automakers to keep prices low.

The number of tickets available to win "Tête de Femme" will be limited to 120,000, and the proceeds will go to Alzheimer's research. A raffle in France is offering the chance to win a portrait by Pablo Picasso for the price of a €100 (£87) ticket, with the proceeds benefiting Alzheimer's research. Picasso painted the gouache-on-paper work "Tête de Femme" (Head of a Woman) in 1941. The raffle organizers' online sales platform states that the number of tickets will be capped at 120,000, meaning the draw could generate €12 million if all tickets are sold.

Officials grant Grade II* protection to ‘rare building that raises more questions than it answers’ It is an elite list with some of the most significant and beautiful buildings and structures in England, including Battersea power station, Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge and the London Coliseum. Now the Grade II* landmarks are being joined by a mysterious, limestone rubble “barn” on a grassy knoll in the Lake District, which was most recently used as a shelter for sheep and cows. Continue reading...

A Chinese artificial intelligence framework has autonomously resolved an open problem proposed more than a decade ago by a US mathematician, according to the Peking University-led team that developed it. The dual-agent framework solved the problem posed in 2014 by former University of Iowa professor Dan Anderson – who died in 2022 at the age of 73 – the researchers said in a preprint paper published on April 4. By synthesising decades of mathematical literature, the Chinese team’s AI framework...

In an unprecedented attack on the leader of the Catholic Church, the president said that the US-born pope is "not doing a very good job" and is "a very liberal person." President Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, saying he didn't think the US-born leader of the Catholic Church is "doing a very good job" and that "he's a very liberal person," while also suggesting the pontiff should "stop catering to the Radical Left." Flying back to Washington from Florida, Trump used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticize Leo, and then continued his comments to reporters on the tarmac.

The Philippines on Monday said it confirmed that Chinese boats last year used cyanide that threatens the stability of the Southeast Asian nation’s military outpost in the disputed South China Sea, as well as the safety of its soldiers.

The U. S. military said Sunday that five people were killed in boat strikes in the Eastern Pacific, stating that “intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the” region. “On April 11, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted two lethal kinetic strikes…

US President Donald Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran collapsed over the weekend risked widening a war now entering its seventh week, lifting oil prices and raising the prospect of further economic pain around the globe.

President Trump wrote that Pope Leo XIV, the first U. S.-born pontiff, was “weak” and “terrible” on crime and foreign policy. Leo has criticized the Iran war.

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, intensified his confrontation with Pope Leo XIV after posting a lengthy and harsh message on his Truth Social platform, in which he described the pontiff as "weak on crime" and "terrible in foreign policy." In his statement, the Republican leader directly questioned the religious leader's positions on international issues, particularly concerning Iran, Venezuela, and the role of the United States in global conflicts. "I don't want a Pope who thinks it's okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon," he stated, adding criticism of the pontiff's stance on U.S. military actions. The president also defended his administration, claiming he was elected by "a large majority" to implement policies that, he asserted, "have reduced crime and strengthened the economy." Along these lines, he criticized the leader of the Catholic Church for questioning his administration and urged him to focus on his religious role: "He should focus on being a great Pope, not a politician." Furthermore, Trump introduced personal elements into his criticism by mentioning the Pope's brother, Louis, whom he described as being close to the "MAGA" movement, which added an even more confrontational tone to the message. Escalation of tensions between Washington and the Vatican The president's statements come after a growing friction between the two figures. In recent days, Pope Leo X...

According to The Times of Israel, the information was obtained as a result of a coordinated leak by Israeli defense officials to three major TV channels

Mujtaba Rahman is the head of Eurasia Group’s Europe practice. He posts at @Mij_Europe. The war in Iran has improved U. K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chances of remaining in office. Make no mistake, his underlying position is still weak. Yet as the tenuous ceasefire looks like it may unravel, the likelihood of Starmer facing a leadership challenge after the May 7 regional elections to the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and English councils is falling. In fact, Labour members of parliament who previously questioned his authority are now reluctant to destabilize his government in the middle of an international war. And yet, the conflict that is helping him politically also risks undermining the economic strategy his premiership depends on. So far, Starmer’s handling of the crisis hasn’t been flawless. The U. K. was too slow to send a warship to the Mediterranean, irritating allies including Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Relations with the U. S. have also deteriorated after U. S. President Donald Trump criticized Starmer for his initial refusal to permit U. S. aircraft from flying out of U. K. bases to bomb Iran. In fact, the “special relationship” is now so strained, senior Whitehall officials worry intelligence cooperation could be affected. But domestically, the war’s political impact has been an undeniable positive for Starmer, who has found himself on the right side of both public and Labour Party opinion. Voters are wary of being drawn into another Middle East conflict, and they support a prime minister who is willing to stand up to Trump. Meanwhile, many MPs scoff at the idea of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, or any other senior figure for that matter, handling this crisis any better, and say this is no time for more instability. But while the conflict has shored up Starmer’s short-term political position, Downing Street is increasingly concerned about its economic consequences. Labour ministers had been hoping voters would begin to notice an improvement in living standards this year, and those hopes are now in doubt: Inflation is expected to remain closer to 3 percent than the Bank of England’s 2 percent target, and interest rates are unlikely to fall as much as previously forecast. Moreover, mortgage rates have already begun to rise again, creating further difficulties for a government that has made the cost-of-living crisis its central political priority. Starmer is, therefore, preparing the British public for an economic shock. In public, the government’s mantra is that the conflict’s impact will depend on how long it lasts. And in private, it’s drawing up contingency plans to help households with energy bills. But ministers are warning there is no fiscal space for universal help to limit energy bills, like the £40 billion package introduced by former Prime Minister Liz Truss in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Iran war has already pushed up government borrowing costs, consuming a substantial portion of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recently announced £23.6 billion of headroom against her fiscal rule to balance income and spending. And that means, the inevitable intervention will only be targeted at those who need it most. Reeves is likely to face pressure to respond once Ofgem — the U. K.’s energy regulator — announces an increase in the energy price cap from July 1. But holding energy bills at current levels would cost the government around £6 billion which, given the reality of the chancellor’s fiscal rules, would leave limited scope for a bigger intervention. The government will also find it difficult to proceed with a planned 1 pence-per-liter increase in fuel duty in September, particularly if petrol prices rise further due to a protracted conflict. As a result, the fear among ministers now is that voters will blame the government for higher energy and fuel costs, regardless of its international causes. If the ceasefire fully breaks down and the war continues, government insiders also worry that Reeves will be forced to deliver a more generous support package of £10 billion or more, but without tweaking her fiscal rules as many Labour MPs — including some Cabinet ministers — would like. The Treasury believes the bond markets would then punish the government by further raising its already relatively high borrowing costs. And with more borrowing off-limits, Reeves would be left with a difficult choice: cutting public spending or raising taxes. The mood among Labour MPs, coupled with Starmer’s fragile position in his own party, makes spending cuts virtually impossible — which means the chancellor’s third budget this autumn might be the third one to increase taxes. This would, in turn, revive a cabinet debate over breaking Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledge to not raise income tax rates with an earmarked “defense tax” to protect Britain in the new world. Ominously for Labour, voters have a golden opportunity to register their dissatisfaction with Starmer in the meantime, with the May 7 elections. And any boost the prime minister receives from his tougher stance against Trump could well be dwarfed by anger over rising prices. All in all, Starmer’s Iran lifeline may prove short-lived. And while he needs Trump to end the war quickly and limit the economic damage, he might also need a prolonged crisis to keep his Labour critics at bay.