Iran internet blackout enters 67th day - NetBlocks

Iraq is offering steep discounts on crude for May loading, but buyers face the risk of sending tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as hostilities escalate in the region, Bloomberg News reported, citing a notice from state oil marketer State Organization for Marketing of Oil.

SOMO is offering discounts of up to $33.40 a barrel on Basrah Medium crude, with cargoes loading May 1-10 priced at that level and narrowing to $26 later in the month, while Basrah Heavy is offered at $30 below official prices, the May 3 document seen by Bloomberg showed.

The notice said “force majeure shall not be applicable to this offer, given that it has been issued under existing exceptional conditions already known to all parties.”

The Strait of Hormuz has been largely impassable since fighting began in late February, and renewed US-Iran violence has raised doubts over a four-week truce, Bloomberg said, adding that loadings at Basrah fell sharply in April as tankers struggled to enter the Persian Gulf.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said attacks that injured three Indian nationals were unacceptable, adding that targeting civilians and infrastructure must stop.

“India stands in firm solidarity with the UAE and reiterates its support for the peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” he wrote on X.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the attacks and expressed full solidarity with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed in a post on X.

“Pakistan stands firmly with our Emirati brothers and sisters as well as with the Government of the United Arab Emirates at this difficult time,” he wrote.

He said it was essential that the ceasefire be upheld to allow space for diplomacy and called for dialogue to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

The United Arab Emirates came under attacks from Iran’s drones and missiles on Monday, causing a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone.

Abu Dhabi “condemned in the strongest terms the renewed terrorist, unprovoked Iranian attacks targeting civilian sites and facilities.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned attacks on the United Arab Emirates that injured three Indian nationals, he said on Tuesday.

Modi said targeting civilians and infrastructure was unacceptable and expressed solidarity with the UAE.

He said India supported resolving issues peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.

Pakistan strongly condemned on Tuesday missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed full solidarity with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed in a post on X, saying that, “Pakistan stands firmly with our Emirati brothers and sisters as well as with the Government of the United Arab Emirates at this difficult time.”

He said it was essential that the ceasefire be upheld to allow space for diplomacy, and called for dialogue to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.

International solidarity with the United Arab Emirates shows Iran is the aggressor in the regional crisis, the UAE presidential advisor said on X.

Anwar Gargash welcomed messages condemning Iran’s attack on the UAE and said the responses reflected a global commitment to a rules-based order that rejects rogue actions and isolates those responsible.

“These positions confirm that Iran is the aggressor, responsible for escalating the crisis in the Gulf, and the source of danger and a threat to its security and stability,” he wrote.