Considered Malaysian news, analysis and opinion.
Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has rejected US claims that unfrozen Iranian assets will be used to purchase American agricultural goods, marking fresh discord between Tehran and Washington over the deployment of released funds.
Iraq's Oil Ministry has firmly rejected reports suggesting the country might leave OPEC, clarifying that Baghdad remains committed to the organization while pressing for a reassessment of its production quota to reflect its actual capacity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has completed his testimony in ongoing corruption trials, marking a significant phase in legal proceedings that have run parallel to escalating regional security concerns.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim chaired the 149th meeting of Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers at Parliament, prioritising economic strengthening amid global uncertainty from Middle East conflicts.
A former Israeli prime minister has disclosed that Israel smuggled Starlink internet receivers into Iran to assist anti-government demonstrators, but asserts that Benjamin Netanyahu's administration failed to sustain the operation.
Palestinian authorities report 1,021 deaths since the Gaza ceasefire began, with the overall toll reaching 73,032 since October 2023. Nearly one million Palestinians now live in tents amid severe housing destruction and aid restrictions.
UN investigators have accused Israel of deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, characterising the military operations as part of an ongoing genocide. Israel has rejected the allegations.
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Iran's Foreign Ministry said meaningful progress emerged from recent Switzerland negotiations aimed at reaching a final nuclear accord with the United States, including agreements on monitoring mechanisms and asset unfreezing.
Hezbollah's chief Naim Qassem has flatly rejected proposals for an Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon, escalating tensions after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted his forces would maintain their position for an indefinite period.
Negotiators from Iran and the United States have formed technical working groups at talks in Switzerland to finalize a comprehensive peace agreement within 60 days, with Pakistan and Qatar serving as mediators.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has indicated Tehran's readiness to issue a formal written declaration renouncing nuclear weapons, signalling flexibility as negotiations with the United States advance.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that US$6 billion in frozen assets held in Qatar will be returned to Tehran under a preliminary accord with the United States. Technical negotiations are underway in Switzerland to address Middle East tensions.
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President Trump announced a 60-day moratorium on tolls in the Strait of Hormuz while warning Washington may impose its own maritime fees after the ceasefire period ends, escalating tensions over one of the world's most critical shipping channels.
A Japanese-owned crude oil tanker has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded in the Gulf, marking the evacuation of all Japan-linked vessels with Japanese crew from the region.
Oil prices edged higher on Friday as confidence in a US-Iran peace accord wavered following cancelled diplomatic talks in Switzerland and intensified Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for publicly condemning violence in Gaza and Iranian military operations, signalling Malaysia's diplomatic alignment with major powers.
An interim ceasefire between the United States and Iran has restored maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices to their lowest level since the conflict erupted. Negotiators have 60 days to resolve nuclear programme disputes, but regional instability persists.
Oil prices fell more than 2% Thursday after the United States and Iran agreed to an interim ceasefire deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions on Tehran's crude exports, substantially improving global supply prospects.
US President Donald Trump has publicly criticised Israel's military operations in Lebanon, arguing that bombing entire apartment buildings to target Hizbollah fighters is causing unnecessary civilian casualties.