CONFLICT ENTERS FOURTH DAY: Israel and Iran have begun a new round of attacks, as the conflict between the two heavily armed rivals enters its fourth day.

Israeli, Iranian, and most of Iraqi airspace remains closed amid a rapid escalation in tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv, which began with an Israeli missile attack on multiple targets in Iran on June 13. Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel prompted the latter's carriers to reposition their aircraft abroad for safety.

Amid rising Middle East tensions, any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz - a vital shipping route through which Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait ship oil to Asia - could lead to higher freight and insurance costs for OMCs,

Concern about a strike and the prospect of retaliation led the United States to withdraw diplomats from Iraq and authorize the voluntary departure of U.S. military family members from the Middle East.

The Middle East conflict intensified as Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, marking a significant escalation. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel, leading to exchanges of missiles and drones,

A Connecticut senator traveling in the Middle East this week was stuck in Iraq after Israel launched an attack on Israel Thursday, heightening tensions in the area.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel, India’s basmati rice prices are expected to soften due to reduced exports to Iran, its third-largest buyer. Trade disruptions, payment delays,