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Daily Tribune
20 minutes ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Oil prices jump after Trump's warning, stocks extend gains
Oil prices rallied Tuesday after Donald Trump urged Tehran residents to evacuate, stoking fresh fears of all-out war as Israel and Iran continued to pound each other with missiles. Hopes that the deadly conflict can be contained helped most equities rise, while the US president's earlier claim that the Islamic republic wanted to make a nuclear deal also provided a little optimism. After Friday's surge sparked by Israel's attacks on its regional foe, crude ticked more than one percent lower Monday as traders bet that the battle would not spread throughout the Middle East and key oil sites were mostly left untouched. But prices edged back up after Trump took to social media calling for the evacuation of the Iranian capital, which is home to nearly 10 million people. "Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign," he said, referring to nuclear talks that were taking place. "What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Oil prices spiked around two percent Tuesday before paring some of those gains, but the comments kept investors on edge amid warnings that an escalation of the crisis could send the commodity soaring again. Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz left Southeast Asia on Monday after cancelling a Vietnam visit, with the Pentagon announcing it was sending "additional capabilities" to the Middle East. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted Israel's campaign was "changing the face of the Middle East". Trump has maintained that Washington has "nothing to do" with its ally's campaign, but Iran's foreign minister said Monday that the US leader could halt the attacks with "one phone call". Traders had been a little more upbeat after the US president -- who is in Canada for the G7 summit -- had said Iran wanted to make a deal, saying "as soon as I leave here, we're going to be doing something". He later left the gathering in the Rockies, telling reporters: "I have to be back as soon as I can. I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understand, this is big stuff." Tehran had signalled a desire to de-escalate and resume nuclear talks with Washington as the United States did not join conflict, according to the Wall Street Journal. Stocks mostly rose in Asian trade, with Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei leading gains, though Shanghai and Hong Kong struggled. "Risk assets are enjoying a positive start to the new week amid signs the Israel-Iran war remains limited to the two countries without signs of a possible escalation into a wider conflict," said Rodrigo Catril at National Australia Bank. "Iran is reportedly seeking de-escalation talks, but Israel is not showing signs of slowing down." The gains followed a positive lead from Wall Street, where traders are keeping tabs on the G7 summit world leaders pushed back against Trump's trade war, arguing it posed a risk to global economic stability. Leaders from Britain, Canada, Italy, Japan, Germany and France called on the president to reverse course on his plans to impose even steeper tariffs on countries across the globe next month. Also in view are central bank decisions this week, with the Bank of Japan due to make its latest decision on interest rates later in the day. Officials are expected to hold interest rates steady but tweak their bond purchase policy.
The Guardian
36 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Republican hawks vs Maga isolationists: the internal war that could decide Trump's Iran response
As Donald Trump considers a direct intervention in Israel's conflict with Iran, another war has broken out in Washington between conservative hawks, calling for immediate US strikes on uranium enrichment facilities, and Maga isolationists, who are demanding Trump stick to his campaign pledge not to involve the US in new overseas wars. At stake is whether the US could target the mountain redoubt that is home to the Fordow fuel enrichment plant, a key uranium enrichment site hidden 80 to 90 metres underground that cannot be targeted directly by Israeli jets – although they can attack some of the infrastructure that allows the plant to operate. A direct strike would require the US Air Force's 30,000-pound class GBU-57/B massive ordinance penetrators and the US B-2 Stealth Bombers capable of carrying them, making Washington's sign-on a key goal for Israeli officials. 'Mr Trump posted on social media Sunday that 'we can easily get a deal done' to end the war,' read a Wall Street Journal editorial this week. 'But that prospect will be more likely if he helps Israel finish the military job. 'If Mr Trump won't help on Fordow, Israel will need more time to achieve its strategic goals,' it went on. 'A neutral US means a longer war.' Over the weekend, the US began to move airborne refuelling tankers to Europe and ordered a second carrier group, the USS Nimitz, to the Middle East, part of preparations experts say would be necessary for the strike. The US does not currently have B-2 bombers stationed in the region. A deployment of six stealth bombers returned from the Diego Garcia airbase in the Indian Ocean to the US in May. 'Trump's assembling the forces necessary to do the Fordow strike,' wrote Daniel Shapiro, a former Pentagon official for Middle Eastern affairs and ex-ambassador to Israel. 'Tankers, fighters, and the second carrier. Doesn't mean he has made the decision to do it but he's giving himself the option. Can that be leveraged to get a major Iranian concession that pre-empts the need for it?' Senior White House officials have told US media that the refuelling tankers and other assets have been sent to Europe to station them closer to the Middle East and to give Trump 'more options'. As US forces head to the region, Trump increased pressure on the Iranian government to cut a deal. On Monday, he posted that Iran 'should have signed the deal I told them to sign' and reiterated that 'IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON'. 'Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' he added, referring to a city of about 10 million people. Other US officials have sought to dampen speculation that the US is planning for an offensive strike on Iran. 'Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility,' said the secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, in a statement. 'Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in there region.' Reports have suggested that Trump is seeking last-minute talks this week between Iran and his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. But the escalating conflict – and America's possible role in it – has already led to a schism among vocal Trump supporters. Some of Trump's most powerful allies, including his vice-president, JD Vance, have called for the US to restrain itself from sending its troops to fight wars overseas. Powerful pundits like Tucker Carlson have condemned the potential for US involvement in a war in Iran. Speaking on a podcast, Carlson called out fellow media personalities as 'warmongers' and said that description 'would include anyone who's calling Donald Trump today to demand airstrikes and other direct US military involvement in a war with Iran'. Trump took to social media to shout down Carlson, an influential ally and media personality who played an important role in popularising his America First platform. 'Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,' Trump shot back. The schism among Trump officials also runs through the Pentagon. Elbridge Colby, the undersecretary of defense for policy, is among the most prominent of a group of 'prioritisers' who had hoped to focus US resources away from Europe and the Middle East towards the growing threat from China. The Pentagon has denied there are any disagreements on policy within the department. Those close to the group have said that traditional republicans such as Senator Tom Cotton, as well as senior Pentagon officials like Centcom Gen Michael Erik Kurilla, have continued to impress upon Trump the need for a more hawkish Iran policy. Kurilla was seen as especially influential in pushing for 'Operation Rough Rider', the seven-week US campaign against the Houthis that was abruptly concluded after burning through more than $1bn, thousands of bombs and missiles, seven UAVs that were shot down and two fighter jets that sank after falling off carriers. Asked last week by the House armed services chair, Mike Rogers, whether US Central Command (Centcom) was prepared to 'respond with overwhelming force to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran', Kurilla responded: 'Yes … I have provided the secretary of defense and the president a wide range of options.' With Trump rushing back to Washington from a G7 meeting in Canada to an emergency national security council meeting, the potential for a strike against Iran appeared as high as at any time since the beginning of the crisis. 'What's happening here is some of the isolationist movement led by Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon are distressed we may be helping the Israelis defeat the Iranians,' Mitch McConnell, the former Senate Republican leader, told CNN. 'I would say it's been kind of a bad week for the isolationists.'
News24
an hour ago
- Politics
- News24
Trump delivers cryptic ‘evacuate Tehran' warning as Israel and Iran trade blows
Atta Kenare/AFP Israel and Iran continued to launch attacks at each other. US President Donald Trump warned residents of Tehran to evacuate. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and 224 in Iran. Israel and Iran traded missile fire for a fifth straight day on Tuesday, as US President Donald Trump warned Tehran residents to 'immediately evacuate' and left a G7 summit early. Despite growing calls for the longtime foes to end hostilities, neither Israel nor Iran showed any signs of cutting short the missile blitz kicked off on Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented series of aerial raids targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. After a new wave of Israeli strikes on Iran's capital - including a dramatic attack on a state TV building - both countries activated their missile defence systems overnight into Tuesday, with Israel's army briefly urging residents to seek shelter from incoming Iranian missiles. The Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv warned its citizens to leave the country immediately, as the US said it was deploying 'additional capabilities' to the Middle East, according to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz departed Southeast Asia on Monday after cancelling plans to dock in Vietnam, amid reports it was headed to the Middle East to boost the US presence there. But a White House spokesperson stressed that US forces in the Middle East remained in a defensive posture, despite the flurry of activity. Trump has repeatedly declined to say if the US would participate in Israeli military action, although he says it was not involved in the initial strikes. AFP After calling on the two sides to make a deal, the US leader issued an extraordinary warning on his Truth Social platform. 'Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' Trump wrote without offering further details, before cutting short his attendance at the G7 in Canada to head back to the White House. After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel launched a surprise aerial campaign against Iran last week, with the stated aim of preventing Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons - an ambition it denies. Iran has launched several waves of missiles in retaliation for Israel's attacks, with Iran's Revolutionary Guards boasting Monday evening that the attacks would continue 'without interruption until dawn'. The sudden flare-up has sparked fears of a wider conflict, with Trump urging Iran back to the negotiating table after Israel's attacks derailed ongoing nuclear talks. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said a missile strike lightly damaged a building used by the American embassy in Tel Aviv, while the US State Department warned citizens on Monday not to travel to Israel due to security concerns. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel so far and hundreds wounded, according to the prime minister's office. Israel's strikes have killed at least 224 people, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian authorities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference Monday evening that Israel was eliminating Iran's security leadership 'one after the other'. We are changing the face of the Middle East, and that can lead to radical changes inside Iran itself. Benjamin Netanyahu International calls for calm have mounted. At the Group of Seven summit in the Canadian Rockies, leaders including Trump called on Monday for 'de-escalation' while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself. 'We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza', G7 leaders said in a joint statement that also affirmed 'Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.' China called on Israel and Iran to both 'immediately take measures to cool down the tensions' and avoid plunging the region into deeper turmoil. The US and Iran had engaged in several rounds of indirect talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in recent weeks, but Iran said after the start of Israel's campaign that it would not negotiate while under attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that 'absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue'. 'It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy,' he wrote on X. A senior US official told AFP Trump had intervened to prevent Israel from carrying out an assassination of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But Netanyahu did not rule out the possibility when asked about the reports during an interview with ABC News. 'It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end the conflict,' he said.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Oil prices jump after Trump urges Tehran evacuation, raising fears of wider Israel-Iran conflict
HONG KONG, June 17 — Oil prices rallied today after Donald Trump urged Tehran residents to evacuate, stoking fresh fears of all-out war as Israel and Iran continued to pound each other with missiles. Hopes that the deadly conflict can be contained helped most equities rise, while the US president's earlier claim that the Islamic republic wanted to make a nuclear deal also provided a little optimism. After Friday's surge sparked by Israel's attacks on its regional foe, crude ticked more than one percent lower Monday as traders bet that the battle would not spread throughout the Middle East and key oil sites were mostly left untouched. But prices edged back up after Trump took to social media calling for the evacuation of the Iranian capital, which is home to nearly 10 million people. 'Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign,' he said, referring to nuclear talks that were taking place. 'What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' Oil prices spiked around two percent Tuesday before paring some of those gains, but the comments kept investors on edge amid warnings that an escalation of the crisis could send the commodity soaring again. Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz left Southeast Asia on Monday after cancelling a Vietnam visit, with the Pentagon announcing it was sending 'additional capabilities' to the Middle East. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted Israel's campaign was 'changing the face of the Middle East'. Trump has maintained that Washington has 'nothing to do' with its ally's campaign, but Iran's foreign minister said Monday that the US leader could halt the attacks with 'one phone call'. Traders had been a little more upbeat after the US president — who is in Canada for the G7 summit — had said Iran wanted to make a deal, saying 'as soon as I leave here, we're going to be doing something'. He later left the gathering in the Rockies, telling reporters: 'I have to be back as soon as I can. I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understand, this is big stuff.' Tehran had signalled a desire to de-escalate and resume nuclear talks with Washington as the United States did not join conflict, according to the Wall Street Journal. Stocks mostly rose in Asian trade, with Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei leading gains, though Shanghai and Hong Kong struggled. 'Risk assets are enjoying a positive start to the new week amid signs the Israel-Iran war remains limited to the two countries without signs of a possible escalation into a wider conflict,' said Rodrigo Catril at National Australia Bank. 'Iran is reportedly seeking de-escalation talks, but Israel is not showing signs of slowing down.' The gains followed a positive lead from Wall Street, where traders are keeping tabs on the G7 summit world leaders pushed back against Trump's trade war, arguing it posed a risk to global economic stability. Leaders from Britain, Canada, Italy, Japan, Germany and France called on the president to reverse course on his plans to impose even steeper tariffs on countries across the globe next month. Also in view are central bank decisions this week, with the Bank of Japan due to make its latest decision on interest rates later in the day. Officials are expected to hold interest rates steady but tweak their bond purchase policy. — AFP
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Israel, Iran trade missile fire as Trump warns Tehran to 'evacuate'
Smoke billows from an explosion near the Azadi Tower in Tehran. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building was struck in an Israeli attack on June 16, cutting live coverage immediately. The blast occurred as the presenter was live on TV lambasting Israel before she was seen leaving the live broadcast, Iranian media reported, sharing a video of the incident. Image: ATTA KENARE / AFP Israel and Iran traded missile fire for a fifth straight day Tuesday, as US President Donald Trump warned Tehran residents to "immediately evacuate" and left a G7 summit early. Despite growing calls for the longtime foes to end hostilities, neither Israel nor Iran showed any signs of cutting short the missile blitz kicked off Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented series of aerial raids targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. After a new wave of Israeli strikes on Iran's capital -- including a dramatic attack on a state TV building -- both countries activated their missile defence systems overnight into Tuesday, with Israel's army briefly urging residents to seek shelter from incoming Iranian missiles. The Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv warned its citizens to leave the country immediately, as the United States said it was deploying "additional capabilities" to the Middle East, according to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz departed Southeast Asia on Monday after cancelling plans to dock in Vietnam, amid reports it was headed to the Middle East to boost the US presence there. But a White House spokesman stressed that US forces in the Middle East remained in a defensive posture, despite the flurry of activity. Trump has repeatedly declined to say if the United States would participate in Israeli military action, although he says it was not involved in the initial strikes. After calling on the two sides to make a deal, the US leader issued an extraordinary warning on his Truth Social platform. "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump wrote without offering further details, before cutting short his attendance at the G7 in Canada to head back to the White House. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'One after the other' After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel launched a surprise aerial campaign against Iran last week, with the stated aim of preventing Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons -- an ambition it denies. Iran has launched several waves of missiles in retaliation for Israel's attacks, with Iran's Revolutionary Guards boasting Monday evening that the attacks would continue "without interruption until dawn". The sudden flare-up has sparked fears of a wider conflict, with Trump urging Iran back to the negotiating table after Israel's attacks derailed ongoing nuclear talks. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said a missile strike lightly damaged a building used by the American embassy in Tel Aviv, while the US State Department warned citizens on Monday not to travel to Israel due to security concerns. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel so far and hundreds wounded, according to the prime minister's office. Israel's strikes have killed at least 224 people, including top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian authorities. Netanyahu told a press conference Monday evening that Israel was eliminating Iran's security leadership "one after the other". "We are changing the face of the Middle East, and that can lead to radical changes inside Iran itself," he said. 'Stop' civilian strikes International calls for calm have mounted. At the Group of Seven summit in the Canadian Rockies, leaders including Trump called Monday for "de-escalation" while stressing Israel had the right to defend itself. "We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza", G7 leaders said in a joint statement that also affirmed "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon". China called on Israel and Iran to both "immediately take measures to cool down the tensions" and avoid plunging the region into deeper turmoil. The United States and Iran had engaged in several rounds of indirect talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in recent weeks, but Iran said after the start of Israel's campaign that it would not negotiate while under attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that "absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue". "It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy," he wrote on X.
