Iran-US-Israel War LIVE Updates: India must expand crude reserves, says former CII chief

By CNBCTV18.COM |  Mar 31, 2026 5:35 PM IST (Updated)

Iran US Israel War LIVE News Updates: US President Donald Trump has reportedly indicated a willingness to end the war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut, with advisers concluding that a full-scale operation to reopen the key shipping route could prolong the conflict beyond the planned four-to-six-week timeline.

A crude oil tanker off the coast of Dubai was hit and set ablaze in an apparent Iranian strike, underlining growing risks to global energy infrastructure and shipping lanes. Trump has warned that the US could target Iran’s oil and energy facilities, including key export hubs, if the waterway is not reopened.

Iran has responded with sharp warnings, saying any attack on its territory or infrastructure would be met with multiple retaliatory strikes. The rhetoric comes amid continued military exchanges and a widening regional footprint of the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war has moved “beyond the halfway point” in terms of operational goals, citing significant damage to Iran’s military, industrial and nuclear capabilities, though he did not offer a timeline for its conclusion.

Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain. Iran has rejected Pakistan’s offer to host talks with the US, distancing itself from mediation attempts even as it continues to review broader proposals through intermediaries.

A United Nations analysis has warned that more than 17 million people in Southern and Eastern Africa could face acute hunger as the war disrupts global markets, exacerbating existing crises driven by conflict, climate shocks and funding constraints.