US-Iran War Live Updates: Iran may be planning surprise strike on Gulf States, report says

US-Iran War Live Updates: The possibility of another round of US strikes on Iran is back on the table. AFP reported that US media outlets CBS and Axios said Washington is actively weighing military action, although President Donald Trump has not yet taken a final call. The reports came after Trump abruptly changed his weekend plans, deciding to stay back in Washington instead of travelling to New Jersey.

Behind the scenes, diplomacy is still continuing. AFP reported that Pakistan, which has been trying to mediate between the US and Iran, sent its army chief to Tehran as efforts to reach an agreement continue. At the same time, Axios reported that Trump has become increasingly frustrated with the pace of negotiations.

The fallout is now spreading far beyond the Middle East. Reuters reported that 27 countries have started preparing to access emergency World Bank funding as the conflict disrupts energy markets, fertilizer supplies and global trade routes. Countries such as Kenya and Iraq are already seeking quick financial support to deal with rising fuel costs and falling oil revenues linked to the crisis.

Much of the concern centres around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Any disruption there could hit crude supplies and push up global energy prices sharply, something countries like India are watching closely because of their dependence on imported oil.

Iran, meanwhile, has tried to signal that shipping movement through the Gulf remains stable. According to Reuters, the Iranian Embassy in Japan said 31 commercial vessels, including oil tankers and cargo ships, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours with coordination from Iranian authorities.

Follow along for the latest on war in West Asia.