GLOBAL CHRONICA — Indian Thug

After the IEEPA ruled US tariff illegal, multiple US trade deals are facing challenges. Malaysia declares its US trade deal null & void. Deal with India would be signed after Washington puts in place a new tariff architecture which safeguards India’s comparative advantage in the US market. European Union puts EU–US deal on hold. Source : Netram Defence https://x.com/i/status/2034168516321095986

Petrol prices are exploding, and the global energy shockwave has hit hardest in Asia & beyond. Australia +32% Vietnam +32% Pakistan +25% US +24% ...China +10%, Japan +1%, India flat at 0%. Source: Al Jazeera/Global Petrol Prices INDIA is the only country in the globe where no petrol oil priced hiked in the globe despite WAR tensions and global oil disruptions including Asia

China is closely studying the U.S. war with Iran to learn from American military tactics and weaknesses, especially for a potential future conflict over Taiwan. Officials say China sees an advantage as the U.S. shifts attention and military resources from Asia to the Middle East, weakening its presence in the Indo-Pacific. The heavy use of U.S. weapons and rising costs are also viewed as beneficial for China. Source: Bloomberg

The war on Iran is now an 'unintended US gift' to Vladimir Putin, given higher energy prices and greater demand for Russian oil Iran war is effectively helping Russia, even though Moscow isn’t directly involved says The Financial Times editorial board Higher oil prices mean more revenue for Russia’s economy, which depends heavily on oil exports. FT-linked analysis shows Russia could be earning up to ~$150 million extra per day from rising prices. Countries facing Middle East disruptions are also buying more Russian oil as an alternative supply

Trump said Israel carried out a strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, claiming the United States and Qatar had no prior knowledge or involvement. He added that only a small portion of the facility was hit. Trump said Iran responded by attacking a Qatar LNG facility, calling the move unjustified and based on misinformation about the original strike. He stressed that Qatar was not involved in the attack on Iran. He warned that no further Israeli strikes on South Pars should happen, but issued a strong threat: if Iran attacks Qatar again, the U.S. could respond with overwhelming force against the entire gas field—though he said he wants to avoid such escalation.

Iran has retaliated after U.S.–Israel strikes hit its South Pars gas field, launching attacks on key energy facilities across the Gulf, including in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. The strikes caused damage and disruptions, with Tehran warning more escalation if its energy infrastructure continues to be targeted. Meanwhile, Trump is now opposing further strikes on Iran’s energy sector, citing fears of a massive escalation and a global oil and gas crisis : Wall Street Journal

WHO officials say they are preparing for a possible “nuclear catastrophe” if the U.S.–Israel war with Iran escalates - politico They have begun updating emergency plans, training teams, and issuing guidance to governments for handling radiation exposure, mass casualties, and health system breakdowns.

The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a massive $200+ billion funding request for the ongoing Iran war, according to reports. If cleared, the proposal will be sent to the U.S. Congress for approval. The funding is aimed at sustaining military operations, replenishing depleted weapons stockpiles, and ramping up missile and arms production. However, the request is expected to face a tough political battle, with early signs suggesting uncertain approval amid growing public and political resistance. Overall, it signals that the U.S. is preparing for a prolonged and costly conflict.

Trump says that if Iran attacks Qatar, in retaliation for Israel attacking Iran's South Pars gas field, he will order the U.S. military to "massively blow up" the entire South Pars gas field, the world's largest natural gas field.

Trump considers deploying thousands more U.S. troops to "reinforce" operations in the Middle East, in addition to the 5,000 marines and sailors already approved to deploy on amphibious assault ships — Reuters

BREAKING : India will join either the Tempest or FCAS 6th generation fighter programs, Indian MoD tells Parliamentary Standing Committee on DEFENCE The Tempest is a next-generation (6th generation) combat aircraft, part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) between the UK, Italy, and Japan, intended to enter service by 2035.

⚡️ Brent crude oil jumps to $112 a barrel after critical energy infrastructure hit in Iran and Qatar

BREAKING: Oil refinery in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh was attacked by Iranian ballistic missiles, according to Wall Street Journal report.

ulsi Gabbard: The intelligence community assesses that Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems, with nuclear and conventional payloads, that put our homeland within range.

Unidentified drones were spotted over a U.S. military base in Washington where top officials (Rubio & Hegseth) live, raising fears of possible Iranian-linked threats amid rising tensions. Officials don’t know who sent them. Security was tightened, and leaders even considered relocating top officials. Source: WaPo

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Iran War: America has lost control of its own foreign policy. This is not America’s war. There is no likely scenario in which both Israel and America will get what they want from it. Source: The Economist

Stacking Chips: Deloitte Forecasts India’s Semiconductor Market to Hit $300BN by 2035 India’s semiconductor market is set to nearly triple to $120bn by 2030 and reach $300bn by 2035, driven by AI, automotive growth, data centres and electronics manufacturing, as per Deloitte’s ‘Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Predictions 2026’ report. 🇮🇳 currently imports over 90% of semiconductors, but the report predicts a structural shift to local production that could meet more than 60% of domestic demand by 2035.

Israel publicly calls on Iranians to revolt, but privately admits that the protesters are likely to be "crushed", reports The Washington Post, citing a State Department document. According to the document, Israeli officials say that the Iranian regime "is not surrendering" and will "fight to the end", and if protests break out, the IRGC "will have the upper hand" and suppress them. Despite this, Israel still hopes for a revolt and wants the US to be ready to support it, the publication notes. But American officials now also acknowledge that protesters face an extreme risk of threats from the armed security forces.

BREAKING: CENTCOM: Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait.

BREAKING: Iran has officially announced the death of senior official Ali Larijani.