30 April,2026 09:53 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat takes part in an operation to seize ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21. PIC/AFP
Brent crude oil prices surged above USD 120 per barrel on Thursday after President Donald Trump said the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will continue until Iran agrees to a deal with the United States (US).
In an exclusive interview with Axios on Wednesday, Trump said the blockade is being used as a key tool to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme.
"The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig. And it is going to be worse for them. They can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump told Axios.
According to Axios, Trump rejected Iran's proposal to first reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the blockade before holding nuclear talks. Instead, he has insisted that Iran address US concerns before any easing of restrictions.
The report added that while Trump currently views the blockade as his primary leverage, he could consider military action if Iran does not agree to negotiations. However, he declined to discuss any specific military plans during the interview.
The development comes amid rising tensions in West Asia and concerns over disruption in global oil and gas supplies. The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for energy shipments, and any prolonged blockade is expected to impact global markets.
Reacting to the situation, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs warned that the world economy could face severe consequences due to the ongoing crisis.
India's leading airlines are preparing to restore full-scale operations at Hamad International Airport from May 1, marking a significant step towards normalisation of air connectivity in the region.
The resumption comes exactly two months after a joint US-Israeli military offensive launched on February 28 targeting Iranian leadership and nuclear facilities. This escalated into a broader regional conflict.
Three major Indian carriers - Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo - are expected to lead the resumption, reconnecting Doha with several key Indian metropolitan cities and regional hubs.
"Indian carriers plan to resume operations at Hamad International Airport, Doha, as flight operations continue to expand. Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo plan to resume their flight services between Doha and various destinations in India starting May 1, 2026," the Embassy of India in Doha said in a post on X.
The Embassy highlighted that the move is part of a coordinated effort involving global aviation authorities working to stabilise operations in the region.
At the same time, it cautioned that flight schedules remain subject to ongoing coordination, underscoring the still-fragile security environment.
Passengers have been advised to remain in close contact with airlines for real-time updates regarding schedules, terminal information, and booking status.
Despite playing a mediating role in the crisis, Qatar was not spared its impact. Qatari airspace remained largely closed to commercial traffic for nearly two months, with Hamad International Airport operating only limited emergency and evacuation flights since early March.
A fragile ceasefire, brokered in Islamabad in mid-April and recently extended by US President Donald Trump, has opened a temporary window of stability. This has enabled commercial insurers to approve the gradual return of international flight operations to the region.
A senior Pentagon official has said that the cost of the ongoing US war against Iran is estimated to be 25 billion US dollars so far, as the conflict has dragged on for two months.
"Approximately, on this day, we're spending about 25 billion dollars on Operation Epic Fury," acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III told the House Armed Services Committee, as he testified alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine.
Hurst added that most of those costs were from munitions and included operations, maintenance and equipment replacements, reports Xinhua news agency.
According to previous media reports, Pentagon officials told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on March 11 that the Trump administration spent more than 11.3 billion dollars in the first six days of its war against Iran.
Hegseth's attendance at the hours-long hearing marks his first public questioning since the United States launched military strikes against Iran.
During the hearing, most Republicans expressed support for President Donald Trump's decision to carry out military action against Iran, while Democrats engaged in heated exchanges with Hegseth over the war's strategy, objectives and consequences.
In response to a series of sharp questions from Democrats regarding the rapidly escalating costs of the Iran war, significant reductions in key munitions stockpiles, and the impact of the conflict on US citizens' cost of living, Hegseth dismissed criticism of the war as political.
The defence secretary also refused to answer questions about how long the conflict might last or how much it would ultimately cost.
He further defended the Pentagon's proposed record-high defence budget of 1.5 trillion dollars for fiscal year 2027. "
"(This) budget will ensure the United States continues to maintain the world's most powerful and capable military, as we grapple with a complex threat environment across multiple theatres," Hegseth said.
(With ANI, IANS, and AFP inputs)
