West Asia war day 26: Hormuz opens, oil prices fall; key developments amid strikes

Iraq Reaction: Baghdad said it will summon the US charge d’affaires and the Iranian ambassador after deadly strikes inside Iraq. Iraqi authorities also granted targeted former paramilitary groups what they called the “right to respond” to the attacks. The announcement reflects rising tensions inside Iraq as regional strikes increasingly affect Iraqi territory and political stability. (Image: Reuters)

Bushehr Strike: The UN nuclear watchdog said Iran reported a projectile strike on the premises of the Bushehr nuclear power plant on Tuesday, though no damage occurred at the facility. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called for maximum restraint to prevent a nuclear safety disaster as military activity continues near sensitive nuclear infrastructure. (Image: Reuters)

Military Moves: Media reports said the United States is preparing to deploy about 3,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to support operations related to Iran. The Israeli military also confirmed a large wave of strikes targeting assets in Isfahan as regional military activity continues to expand. (Image: AP)

Lebanon Tensions: Hezbollah condemned the Lebanese government’s decision to expel the newly appointed Iranian ambassador, calling the move a “national and strategic sin” and demanding it be reversed. Israel, meanwhile, announced it will seize a 30-kilometre security zone inside Lebanon to push Hezbollah back, while France warned the move could cause severe humanitarian consequences. (Image: Reuters)

Diplomatic Push: China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, told his Iranian counterpart that talking is better than fighting after Tehran denied US claims of negotiations. French President Emmanuel Macron separately urged Iran to engage in good-faith talks in a call with Masoud Pezeshkian. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad is ready to host peace talks involving the US, Israel, and Iran. (Image: Reuters)

Internal Security: Iranian authorities arrested 466 people accused of attempting to destabilise the country through online activity. Iran also appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a former Revolutionary Guards commander, as the new head of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli strike last week. (Image: AP)

Oil Markets: Oil prices fell sharply after Donald Trump presented a peace proposal to Iran and expressed confidence that the conflict could end soon. Brent crude fell 6% to $98.30, and West Texas Intermediate dropped 5% to $87.72, easing markets that had surged 40% after the Strait of Hormuz closure. Unusual oil trading worth $650 million minutes before Trump’s statement drew scrutiny, but no insider trading evidence. (Image: Canva)

Global Fallout: The Philippines declared a national energy emergency and will increase coal power production, while Sri Lanka ordered major energy cuts, including street light and billboard blackouts. Economic activity slowed in the US and Eurozone, France cut growth forecasts to 0.2%, Bangladesh raised jet fuel prices by 79%, and Ireland cut fuel taxes until the end of May. (Image: Reuters)