Iran war briefing: US lets India buy Russian oil after energy prices jump
The United States has approved a short‑term waiver allowing India to import Russian crude, a move coinciding with soaring oil prices and escalating hostilities between Iran, Israel and the US. Tehran warns European nations of retaliation if they join the US‑Israel campaign, while diplomatic efforts…
The United States announced a temporary waiver that permits India to purchase Russian oil, a decision made as global crude prices surged past $90 a barrel. The waiver, described by the State Department as a limited measure, is not expected to deliver a "significant financial benefit" to Moscow, but it signals Washington's willingness to keep energy markets stable amid a rapidly widening conflict in the Middle East.
Iran’s warning to Europe and the expanding war
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht‑Ravanchi told France 24 that any European nation that aligns with the United States and Israel in their campaign against Tehran will become a legitimate target for Iranian retaliation. He accused the United States of betraying diplomatic negotiations that had been ongoing in good faith before Washington chose to launch a joint strike with Israel on Saturday.
At the United Nations in New York, Iran’s ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani reported that at least 1,332 Iranian civilians have been killed and thousands more injured in what he termed a US‑Israeli war on Tehran. Iravani labeled the attacks on densely populated areas, schools, hospitals and sports facilities as "war crimes and crimes against humanity," accusing the United States and Israel of ignoring any red lines.
US military timeline and political rhetoric
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the US military campaign against Iran could last four to six weeks and that American forces are "well on their way" to controlling Iranian airspace. In parallel, former President Donald Trump met with leading US weapons manufacturers at the White House, urging a "quadruple" increase in production of what he called "exquisite class" weaponry. Trump reiterated that only an "unconditional surrender" by Tehran would end the joint US‑Israeli offensive launched a week earlier.
The Kremlin confirmed a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which both leaders agreed to maintain contact. Russian officials have reportedly been supplying Tehran with the locations of US military assets in the region, though the White House declined to confirm those claims.
Regional fallout: strikes, drone attacks and diplomatic outcry
In Lebanon, an Israeli strike hit a United Nations site, critically injuring two Ghanaian peacekeepers. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international law. Qatar’s defence ministry reported a wave of Iranian drone attacks on Friday, intercepting nine out of ten drones; the lone survivor landed in an uninhabited area without causing casualties.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that his country was being dragged into a war it did not choose, cautioning that a humanitarian disaster loomed. Meanwhile, US Central Command (Centcom) said Iranian forces launched seven attack drones at residential neighbourhoods in Bahrain overnight, part of a broader pattern that Centcom says includes attacks on twelve different countries and deliberate targeting of civilians.
US investigators are examining a possible strike on an Iranian girls’ school that killed scores of children on Saturday. While officials have not reached a final conclusion, the incident has intensified calls for accountability.
Global economic impact and calls for diplomacy
The surge in oil prices, driven by the US‑Israeli war on Iran, marks the steepest weekly gain since the early days of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Analysts warn that sustained high prices could reignite global inflation pressures, affecting economies already strained by supply‑chain disruptions.
United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres appealed for an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to serious diplomatic negotiations, warning that the situation could spiral beyond anyone’s control. He emphasized that the stakes are unprecedented and urged all parties to prioritize dialogue over further bloodshed.
Iranian military spokespeople, speaking on state television, clarified that Tehran does not intend to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz but will target any ship belonging to Israel or the United States that passes through the waterway.
Why it matters
The waiver reshapes global oil flows while the Iran‑Israel‑US conflict threatens regional stability and worldwide economic inflation.
Key points
- US grants India a short‑term waiver to buy Russian oil amid $90‑plus crude prices
- Iran warns European states of retaliation if they join US‑Israel actions
- US‑Israeli military campaign could last 4‑6 weeks, aiming for airspace control
- Multiple Middle‑East nations report drone attacks and civilian casualties
- UN calls for immediate diplomatic negotiations to prevent broader escalation
Frequently asked questions
Why did the United States allow India to buy Russian oil?
Washington issued a temporary waiver to keep global oil markets stable as prices surged, but said it would not provide a major financial benefit to Russia.
What did Iran say about European countries joining the US‑Israel war?
Iran’s deputy foreign minister warned that any European nation that sides with the US and Israel would become a legitimate target for Iranian retaliation.
How long does the US expect its campaign against Iran to last?
White House officials estimate the operation could continue for four to six weeks.
What impact has the conflict had on oil prices?
Crude prices have risen above $90 a barrel, the sharpest weekly gain since the early COVID‑19 pandemic, raising concerns about renewed global inflation.
Are there any diplomatic efforts to end the fighting?
UN Secretary‑General António Guterres urged an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic talks, while Russia and Iran have maintained direct communication.
