In the first month of the ongoing conflict centered on Iran, the world’s top 100 oil and gas companies collectively earned more than $30 million per hour in excess or unearned profits, according to a special analysis by The Guardian. The report found that in March, as oil prices averaged $100 per barrel, these companies gained around $23 billion in additional profits. If prices remain at that level and supply takes months to normalize, total windfall earnings could reach $234 billion by year-end.

Among the biggest beneficiaries are Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, and ExxonMobil, all identified as major opponents of climate action. Rising fuel prices have increased costs for consumers and businesses worldwide, prompting several countries—including Australia, South Africa, Italy, Brazil, and Zambia—to cut fuel taxes, which has reduced public revenue. The European Commission is considering a proposal from several finance ministers to impose a windfall tax on companies profiting from the war.

Analysts warned that while corporate profits surge, ordinary people face higher living costs and inflationary pressures globally.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced Amazon Bio Discovery, a new application that integrates computational design and wet-lab validation into a single platform. The system provides access to more than 40 AI biology models and allows users to upload custom or third-party models. It includes agentic assistants that guide researchers in model selection, configuration, and candidate evaluation. The platform connects directly with contract research organization partners for seamless lab testing, with results automatically feeding back to improve subsequent research cycles.

According to AWS, the tool aims to remove collaboration bottlenecks between computational biologists and bench scientists by offering a no-code environment for workflow creation and experiment management. Computational experts can build reusable workflows with standardized data processing, while bench scientists can run parallel experiments and adjust parameters without coding. Both groups work from the same data and results, improving reproducibility and speed.

Amazon Bio Discovery is built on AWS infrastructure used by major pharmaceutical companies and is available immediately with enterprise-grade security. The platform is designed to make lab-in-the-loop drug discovery scalable and accessible across research organizations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of providing military assistance to Iran amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. In response, China has warned that it will take firm countermeasures if Washington proceeds with the tariff plan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a press conference that if the United States uses the allegation as a pretext to impose additional tariffs, China will respond strongly. He also dismissed reports claiming that China is supplying weapons to Iran, calling them completely fabricated.

The exchange underscores rising tensions between Washington and Beijing as accusations over Iran’s role in the Middle East war intensify, with both sides signaling readiness for economic retaliation.

Amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, new concerns have emerged over the Malacca Strait following a recent defense agreement between the United States and Indonesia. The deal, finalized earlier this week, allows US military aircraft to conduct more operations using Indonesian airspace. Although officially described as a defense cooperation arrangement, it effectively expands Washington’s surveillance and operational reach over the Malacca Strait, a vital maritime route linking the Indian Ocean with East Asia.

The Malacca Strait is jointly managed by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and serves as a crucial artery for global trade. The agreement has prompted questions about whether the United States is recalibrating its Indo-Pacific strategy to secure key maritime chokepoints beyond the Middle East. The strait plays a central role in global energy and goods transport, particularly for East Asian economies.

China is especially dependent on this corridor for its energy imports, underscoring the strategic importance of the route in regional and global trade dynamics.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that much of the anticipated damage to the global economy from the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has already occurred. During its spring meeting in Washington, the IMF released a new economic forecast, noting that even if the conflict were to end immediately, global growth would still slow down.

The IMF further cautioned that if the conflict continues and infrastructure damage worsens, global growth could fall to around 2 percent, while inflation may exceed 6 percent next year. According to IMF experts, the impact will not be uniform across countries, with Middle Eastern oil-producing nations facing the greatest losses.

Developing economies are expected to feel nearly twice the impact compared to advanced economies, particularly those dependent on energy imports. Analysts also warned that continued instability in global energy markets and supply chains could further drive inflation in food, energy, and transport sectors.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that escalating conflict in Iran and continued volatility in global energy markets could push the world economy to the brink of recession. According to the IMF, repeated shocks in the energy sector may reduce global growth from the current 3.1 percent to 2 percent.

The IMF outlined three possible scenarios. In the best case, if the war remains short-lived, oil prices could normalize to an average of 82 dollars per barrel in the second half of 2026. Under a moderate scenario, if the conflict drags on, oil prices may hover around 100 dollars this year and fall to 75 dollars in 2027, bringing global growth down to 2.5 percent from 3.4 percent in 2025. In the worst case, oil could reach 110 dollars per barrel in 2026 and 125 dollars in 2027.

IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said current supply disruptions and the lack of a clear path to peace make the moderate or adverse scenario more realistic. The organization also warned that the crisis could further fuel global inflation.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel could bring the global economy dangerously close to recession if the war continues and energy prices remain high. In its World Economic Outlook report released in Washington on April 15, 2026, the IMF projected that global growth could fall below 2 percent in 2026, a level seen only four times since 1980. The report noted that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of war had driven up fuel prices, and a failed peace effort in Pakistan has prolonged the crisis.

The IMF said that if oil prices average 110 dollars per barrel this year and rise to 125 dollars by 2027, global growth will slow further, with inflation possibly reaching 6 percent. Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas stated that such conditions would feel like a recession for most people, with rising unemployment and food insecurity in some countries. The report also warned that the UK would be among the hardest hit developed economies, while Iran, Iraq, and Qatar could see sharp contractions this year.

If the conflict eases within weeks and energy exports normalize by midyear, global growth could recover to 3.1 percent in 2026, though still below earlier forecasts.

European countries are planning to form a major coalition to ensure the normal operation of maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz without relying on the United States. According to The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed officials, the plan will be implemented after the current conflict ends.

The report notes that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are deeply anxious amid escalating threats between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran, as their economies depend heavily on oil exports through the strait. Meanwhile, Qatar has announced the lifting of all maritime restrictions, and Saudi Arabia has activated its east-west pipeline at full capacity to bypass Hormuz entirely.

Saudi Arabia’s pipeline can transport about seven million barrels of oil per day, and the Manifa oil field on its southeastern coast is ready to supply an additional 300,000 barrels daily. These measures reflect the Gulf states’ growing reliance on alternative routes and strategies to sustain their economies during the ongoing crisis.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said that international law is being trampled across the world, particularly in the Middle East. Speaking to journalists at the UN headquarters in New York, he noted that rules governing the use of force are being ignored and emphasized the urgent need for restraint and adherence to international norms.

Guterres stated that there is a strong possibility of renewed talks between the United States and Iran. He also described the ongoing discussions between Israel and Lebanon as very important for improving conditions on the ground. The Secretary-General stressed that the crisis in the Middle East has no military solution and called for the resumption of dialogue with strong goodwill while maintaining any existing ceasefires.

His remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, come amid heightened regional tensions and underscore the UN’s call for diplomacy and respect for international law as the only viable path to stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the United States and Iran may engage in discussions within the next two days. He made the comment in an interview with the New York Post, suggesting that some development could occur soon and noting an interest in visiting Pakistan.

Earlier, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other officials in Islamabad over the weekend. That meeting concluded without any agreement. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that Tehran and Pakistan had exchanged messages but stated there was no information confirming any agreement to hold further talks with the United States.

The statements indicate ongoing diplomatic movement but no confirmed schedule or venue for a new round of U.S.–Iran negotiations.

France and the United Kingdom will jointly organize a video conference on Friday to discuss measures for ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting will bring together countries interested in contributing to a fully defensive mission aimed at protecting maritime routes in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair the session.

The conference will focus on ways to restore freedom of navigation once the security situation in the Strait normalizes. Over recent weeks, France and the UK have been developing a plan to help oil tankers and container ships cross the strait safely. As part of this initiative, the possibility of escorting vessels is also under consideration to guarantee secure passage through this vital waterway.

The joint effort underscores growing international concern over maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy transport.

A Chinese-owned oil tanker named 'Rich Starry' crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, defying a newly imposed US naval blockade. The vessel, operated by a company already under US sanctions, carried about 250,000 barrels of methanol from the UAE’s Hamriyah port. According to shipping data, the tanker had previously been blacklisted in 2023 for allegedly helping Iran evade fuel sanctions and was formerly known as 'Full Star'.

The blockade, announced by President Donald Trump and effective since Monday, aims to halt Iran’s oil exports. The tanker’s passage marked its second attempt within 24 hours, after initially turning back near Iran’s Qeshm Island. Analysts described the move as a test of the US blockade’s enforcement capacity. Another tanker, 'LPC', was also reported entering the Gulf of Oman after docking at an Iranian port.

The incident has heightened concern among Asian nations reliant on Middle Eastern oil. In response to the rising tension, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for diplomatic dialogue between Tehran and Washington to resolve the situation.

Barcelona and Liverpool face crucial second-leg matches in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, both seeking dramatic turnarounds. Barcelona will play Atlético Madrid in Spain’s capital after losing the first leg 2–0 while reduced to ten men. Liverpool, meanwhile, host Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, also trailing 2–0 from the first leg. Both matches are scheduled to start at 1 a.m. Bangladesh time.

Barcelona enter the match under pressure but buoyed by recent domestic form. The team, led by Hansi Flick, recently defeated Espanyol 4–1 in La Liga, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player to reach 100 appearances while contributing a goal and two assists. Atlético’s past elimination after winning a first leg offers further encouragement for Barcelona.

Liverpool’s challenge is equally steep after goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave PSG a strong advantage. Yet Anfield’s history of famous comebacks, including a 4–0 win over Barcelona in 2019, fuels optimism. A recent 2–0 victory over Fulham ended a three-match losing streak, and four wins in their last five home games have strengthened belief in another memorable night.

Pope Leo XIV responded to sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump by asserting that he and the Catholic Church are not politicians but messengers of peace. Speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane before his visit to Algeria, the Pope said he does not fear the Trump administration and will continue to proclaim the Gospel’s message strongly, describing it as both his and the Church’s duty.

He emphasized that the Church views foreign policy differently from political leaders, focusing instead on peace and faith in the Gospel. Trump had recently accused the Pope of being weak on crime and poor in foreign policy through social media posts. Reports suggest Trump’s remarks followed the Pope’s criticism of U.S.-Israeli military actions surrounding Iran.

The exchange highlights ongoing tension between religious advocacy for peace and political responses to international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.

Russia has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to block the Strait of Hormuz. According to Moscow, implementing such a move would negatively affect the global energy market. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said several aspects of Trump’s declaration remain unclear and warned that such a decision could destabilize world markets.

The U.S. military stated that all vessel movements from Iranian ports would be halted as scheduled, with the blockade set to take effect at 10 a.m. Washington time. If enforced, the measure could prevent around two million barrels of Iranian oil per day from entering the global market, potentially worsening the ongoing energy crisis.

Shipping data indicated that two Iran-linked tankers had already crossed the Strait of Hormuz before the blockade’s start time. The situation has heightened tensions in the Middle East and raised concerns about its impact on the global economy.