Up to 80 million liters of fuel lost after tanks were destroyed, Tehran governor says

The security of coasts in the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf would be affected if Iran’s coastal security were threatened, an Iranian lawmaker said on Monday.

Fadahossein Maleki, a member of parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, accused the United States of blocking progress in negotiations and violating the ceasefire through measures including a naval blockade.

He added that the Islamic Republic had full control over the Strait of Hormuz and did not seek negotiations or a ceasefire.

Privileged internet access, known as “Internet Pro,” has been given to people whose jobs are “unrelated” to the criteria set by authorities, Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said on Monday, and ordered an investigation.

“They had said these lines would be given only to individuals and groups with specific qualifications, but there are now reports and information that they have been given to some people whose jobs are unrelated,” he said.

Mohseni Ejei instructed the prosecutor general and the inspection body to look into the allocation of tiered internet access, adding that such allocation could cause “corruption.”

Stocks advanced after a report said Iran had offered the United States a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reported.

MSCI’s Asia Pacific share benchmark rose 1.5%, while its emerging markets index climbed to a record after Axios reported on Iran’s proposal to end the war.

Asian chip stocks outperformed, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. surging 6% to a record. A gauge of Asian tech stocks also reached an all-time high.

Bloomberg said the report eased concerns that efforts to restart peace talks had stalled.

Al Jazeera reports that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his trip to Russia is aimed at continuing close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues.

Speaking upon arrival, Araghchi said his meeting later today with Russian President Vladimir Putin would provide “a good opportunity” to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation.

“I am confident that these consultations and coordination between the two countries in this regard will be of particular importance,” he added.

The US dollar was steady on Monday as wavering hopes of a deal to end the war between the United States and Iran kept investors on edge.

US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned visit to Islamabad by his envoys over the weekend.

Sentiment improved later after Axios reported that Tehran had sent Washington a new proposal through Pakistani mediators to reopen the waterway and end the war, while postponing nuclear negotiations to a later stage.

The euro trimmed earlier losses to trade flat at $1.1724, while sterling traded at $1.3536.