International News
Trump clears waiver for India to purchase Russian oil to stabilise energy markets: White House
Washington, March 11: The White House said that President Donald Trump personally approved a temporary waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil as part of a broader effort to stabilise global energy markets amid disruptions caused by the ongoing US military campaign against Iran.
The decision was taken after consultations between the President, the Treasury Department, and members of the national security team, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
“The President and the Secretary of the Treasury and the whole national security team came to this decision because our allies in India have been good actors and have previously stopped buying sanctioned Russian oil,” Leavitt told reporters in response to a question.
She said the temporary measure was meant to address disruptions in global oil supply triggered by the crisis surrounding Iran.
“So as we work to appease this temporary gap of oil supply around the world because of the Iranians, we have temporarily permitted them to accept that Russian oil,” she said.
Leavitt noted that the shipments involved had already been dispatched before the waiver was granted.
“This Russian oil was already at sea, it was already out on the water,” she said.
According to the White House, the administration does not expect the arrangement to significantly benefit Moscow financially.
“So this short-term measure, we don’t believe it will provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government at this time,” Leavitt said.
The remarks came as the White House provided updates on Operation Epic Fury, the US military campaign targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure and naval capabilities.
Leavitt said the operation had achieved rapid progress since it began ten days ago. “More than 5000 enemy targets have been struck so far,” she said.
She added that Iran’s ability to retaliate had sharply declined.
“Iran’s ballistic missile attacks are down more than 90 per cent, and their drone attacks are down by approximately 35 per cent since the start of Operation Epic Fury,” Leavitt said.
US forces have also targeted Iran’s naval assets.
“We have destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval vessels, including a major drone carrier ship,” she said, adding that the Iranian navy has been assessed as “combat ineffective.”
The administration said the operation’s goals remain unchanged.
“The stated objectives for Operation Epic Fury remain the same: destroy the terrorist regime’s ballistic missiles, raise their Iranian missile industry to the ground, ensure their terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region, and ensure that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon,” Leavitt said.
The White House also stressed that the United States would ensure the continued flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
Leavitt said President Trump had reiterated his commitment to protecting energy supply routes.
“President Trump reiterated his commitment toward keeping oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz so the United States and all of our allies can receive their energy needs,” she said.
She added that the administration had already taken steps to stabilise energy markets.
“Thus far, the Trump administration has offered political risk insurance to tankers operating in the Gulf,” she said.
Officials also said the US Navy could escort tankers if necessary to keep the vital waterway open.
International News
10 Indians on board rescued, one missing: India condemns attack on commercial vessel off Oman coast
New Delhi, July 12: India on Sunday condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy carrying Indian nationals off the coast of Oman, terming the continuous incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region “deeply worrisome.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that 10 of the Indian nationals on board were rescued, while one person is still reportedly missing. The MEA said that the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation. It also thanked the Omani authorities for their support.
In a statement, the MEA said, “The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region.”
“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest,” it added.
In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Oman said that it is closely monitoring the incident involving the vessel GFS Galaxy. It further said that its officials are in close contact with the Omani authorities, the vessel’s management, and the concerned stakeholders, and is extending all possible assistance.
Earlier in the day, US Central Command said that GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship, was attacked by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) when transiting the Strait of Hormuz, leaving a crew member missing.
In a post on X, the US Central Command stated, “At 7:15 p.m. ET today, US Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage.”
“Iran was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels but has again failed. In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait. The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief,” it added.
The incident occurred amid increased tensions in waters around the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and is critical for global energy security.
Muscat, July 12: Oman and Iran have agreed to continue technical and political talks on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Oman News Agency reported.
The two sides held talks in Muscat on ensuring the safety and freedom of navigation through the strait in light of recent developments, the report said.
They agreed to continue discussions at both the technical and political levels aimed at reaching necessary understandings in accordance with international law, reports Xinhua quoting Oman News Agency .
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi would visit Oman on Saturday for consultations on the Strait of Hormuz.
The talks came amid heightened tensions following a recent exchange of attacks between the United States and Iran, triggered by alleged Iranian strikes on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, Tehran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes, barring safe passage of Israeli- and US-linked vessels.
Iran and Oman agreed in June to continue discussions through a joint working group between their foreign ministries to reach an understanding on the future management of navigation and related maritime services in the strait.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington had agreed to continue talks with Iran, even as he declared that the ceasefire between the two countries was over after a sharp escalation in military strikes.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
The statement suggested that diplomatic contacts would continue despite the collapse of the ceasefire framework negotiated last month.
Tehran, July 12: Iran has launched a series of strikes on US targets in the Middle East, Press TV reported on Sunday.
Missile alert sirens sounded in Bahrain as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar also came under attack, reports said.
The UAE Defence Ministry said Sunday that its air defence systems were engaging missile and drone threats, while Bahrain’s Interior Ministry urged residents to remain calm and proceed to the nearest safe location.
According to Press TV reports, the US targets hit in the latest Iranian strikes included a Patriot air defense system, an ammunition depot and a US military radar facility in Kuwait.
In response to US attacks, Iran also targeted a US military communications facility and a radar facility in Bahrain, and launched a ballistic missile strike against the US airbase of Al Udeid in Qatar, according to the reports.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said Sunday that its aerospace forces had carried out a heavy attack on US aircraft carrier support and refueling facilities at Oman’s Port of Duqm, adding that the operation targeted logistical support centers for US naval vessels.
Earlier, US launched a third round of strikes against Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said.
US Central Command said its forces began the strikes at 7:15 p.m. Eastern Time (4.45 am Sunday Indian time). It said the operation was ordered by President Donald Trump in his capacity as commander in chief.
The latest military action followed an attack on the M/V GFS Galaxy, a commercial container ship sailing through the strategic waterway.
“At 7:15 p.m. ET today, US Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
The command did not immediately identify the locations struck or provide details about the targets. It also did not say which weapons were being used in the operation.
A civilian crew member remained missing after the attack on the vessel, according to CENTCOM.
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