International

Iran Rejects Ceasefire Push With US

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has rejected proposals aimed at reducing tensions or securing a ceasefire with the United States, signalling that Tehran is preparing for a prolonged confrontation. The reported decision came through backchannel communication routed via two intermediary countries and points to a hardline Iranian position as the conflict with

International

UN Warns Civilians Paying Price In Lebanon

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

The United Nations has warned that civilians are bearing the brunt of the intensifying war in Lebanon, with deaths, injuries and mass displacement rising as fighting widens. The latest humanitarian assessment comes as Israeli military operations expand and international concern grows over the scale of civilian suffering across the country. UN Warns Of Rising Civilian […]

International

Iraq Reaches Iran Understanding On Hormuz

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

Iraq said it has reached an understanding with Iran to help its oil tankers move through the Strait of Hormuz, as Baghdad tries to protect crude exports during the ongoing regional conflict. The development is significant because Hormuz remains a critical route for Gulf energy shipments, and any negotiated passage is being closely watched by […]

International

Trump Warns Iran Must Not Get Nukes

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could destabilise the entire Middle East if it acquires nuclear weapons, linking the issue directly to Washington’s current military and diplomatic posture toward Tehran. His remarks came as the conflict involving Iran continued to widen, with growing concern over regional security, energy flows and the risk of […]

International

UAE Suspends Shah Gas Field Operations

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

Operations at the UAE’s Shah gas field have been suspended after a drone attack, adding to the growing pressure on Gulf energy infrastructure during the ongoing regional conflict. The disruption is significant because Shah is one of the UAE’s key gas production assets, and the latest incident has increased concerns about supply security, industrial continuity […]

International

Sri Lanka Declares Wednesdays Off For Fuel

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

Sri Lanka has declared every Wednesday a public holiday as part of emergency fuel-saving measures, becoming one of several Asian countries responding to the impact of the West Asia conflict on energy supplies. The decision effectively creates a four-day workweek for many state institutions as Colombo tries to reduce fuel use and avoid deeper disruption […]

International

India Rebukes Pakistan At UN Over Claims

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

India criticised Pakistan at the United Nations over what it called repeated false claims of Islamophobia against New Delhi, while also using the forum to highlight recent Pakistani military action in Afghanistan. The exchange came during a broader discussion on the weaponisation of religious identity and the misuse of international platforms for political messaging. India

International

Jaishankar Discusses Iran With EU In Brussels

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the Iran situation with his European counterparts in Brussels during a visit that also focused on the wider India-European Union relationship. The talks came as the Strait of Hormuz crisis, regional instability in West Asia and concerns over energy security continue to shape diplomatic engagement across major capitals.

International

IndiGo Alerts Flyers As DXB Halts Landings

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

Dubai International Airport has suspended landing permissions for incoming flights, prompting IndiGo to issue a fresh advisory for passengers travelling on its Dubai routes. The move comes amid worsening regional tensions and follows recent disruption to aviation activity across parts of the Gulf, with airlines and airport operators continuing to assess safety and

International

Europe Resists Trump Hormuz Mission

By BPN News Desk March 17, 2026

Europe is showing little appetite for joining any expanded military effort in the Strait of Hormuz, even after U.S. President Donald Trump urged allies to help reopen the vital shipping lane. The response from key European capitals suggests that while there is concern over energy disruption and maritime security, most governments want to avoid being […]