Iran executes man involved in January protests, state media reports
Iran executed a man over charges related to the anti-government protests that took place nationwide in January, state media reported on Monday.
The individual was identified as Abbas Akbari, according to state media.
India hikes fuel prices again due to Middle East war
India’s state-run fuel companies raised petrol and diesel prices for the fourth time in 10 days on Monday, as the Middle East war strains supplies to the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
Automobile fuel prices have increased by five percent since the war broke out in February, prompting Iran’s near-total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor.
India, the world’s third-largest oil buyer, normally sources about half of its crude through the vital waterway.
Israeli military says one soldier killed during combat in southern Lebanon
Israel said on Monday a soldier was killed in southern Lebanon, taking to 23 the number of its troops killed in the war with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
A military statement named him as 19-year-old Sergeant Nehoray Leizer of the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion, who “fell in combat in southern Lebanon”.
During the incident in which Leizer was killed, “an additional soldier was severely injured”, the Israeli military said separately on Telegram.
A total of 24 Israelis have been killed in the conflict, 23 soldiers and one civilian contractor, since hostilities began on March 2.
Rubio says Iran deal still possible Monday
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that a deal to end the war with Iran could materialise “today”, adding that Israel had the right to defend itself against attack.
“We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today, I wouldn’t read too much into it,” Rubio said in New Delhi, referring to the potential agreement.
“Israel always has a right to protect itself… if Hezbollah is going to launch missiles or launches missiles at them, Israel has every right to respond to that,” he told reporters as he departed the Indian capital, where he has been on an official visit.
Vessels carrying Middle East oil, LNG exit Hormuz, head for Pakistan, China
Two liquefied natural gas tankers are exiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, heading to Pakistan and China, while a supertanker with Iraqi crude for China left the Gulf on Saturday after being stranded for nearly three months, shipping data showed.
The vessels are among a handful of supertankers exiting the Gulf this month via a transit route that Iran has ordered ships to use. Last week, three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) made their way to China and South Korea with 6 million barrels of crude.
Japanese government bonds rally as Iran peace talks ease inflation fears
Japanese government bonds (JGBs) rallied on Monday, pushing yields further away from recent multi-decade highs, as signs of progress in resolving the Middle East conflict tamed inflation fears.
The benchmark 10-year JGB yield, which touched a 29-year high of 2.8 percent last week, slid 5 basis points to
2.710 percent. The 30-year yield, which recently hit a record 4.2 percent, dropped 5.5 bps to 3.955 percent.
Australian activists return after Gaza flotilla incident, allege Israeli abuse
Australian activists detained by Israel while on a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza have returned home, with organisers alleging abuse, sexual assault, and beatings, that left some detainees in hospital.
Eleven Australians were among the 430 volunteers on 50 boats intercepted in international waters last week by Israeli forces aiming to stop the flotilla delivering aid supplies to the Gaza Strip. The flotilla included people from 40 countries.
One activist reached Melbourne on Sunday evening, while others arrived in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on Monday.
Juliet Lamont, an Australian activist and documentary filmmaker, told Reuters on Monday she was dragged, sexually assaulted and beaten when she was detained.