TAMRAH NEWS

Pakistan has suspended trade with Iran through the Gabd Rimdan and Taftan crossings, a Balochistan government adviser said, calling the closure temporary and aimed at security concerns and smuggling. The Commerce Ministry issued a memorandum withdrawing an earlier order dated 3 October, with immediate effect.
The Quetta Chamber of Commerce told businesses to stop placing fresh import and export orders until further notice and said commercial activity stands suspended across all crossings. Iran’s WANA agency reported that passenger traffic through Rimdan Gabd remained open.
A traders’ leader said roughly 500 vehicles carrying goods from Iran enter through Gabd Rimdan daily, with a similar number carrying Pakistani goods the other way. More than 4,000 tons of liquefied gas pass through the crossing each day, and observers fear supply cuts and higher open-market prices.
Official trade between the two countries was about $2.8 billion in 2023-24. Pakistan has mediated between Washington and Tehran since the war began, and an analyst warned that a long closure could test that role. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman also called the closure temporary.

The UAE and Saudi foreign ministers, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, discussed regional developments and efforts to preserve stability by telephone on Monday, according to WAM. The call followed a visit to Abu Dhabi on Sunday by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed. Anwar Gargash, the president’s diplomatic adviser, called the visit a reaffirmation of the strength of ties between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
On Sunday Sheikh Abdullah also spoke with his counterparts in Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Oman. The National reported that Saudi Arabia has been attacked about 20 times by Yemen’s Houthis since the start of October.
The attacks continue to disrupt travel. Etihad has extended its cancellations between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until 24 October, and Qatar Airways has cancelled Riyadh and Dammam flights until the same date while cutting Jeddah from seven daily flights to four. Air Arabia has also cancelled Sharjah services to several Saudi destinations. Riyadh airport has reopened, but airlines have been slow to return.

Brent crude futures climbed above $110 a barrel after trading more than 1% lower earlier on Monday, and WTI approached $103, up nearly 1.5%.
Oil had initially fallen after Trump moved to ease restrictions on Russian oil, raising hopes of more supply reaching global markets. The reversal came as investors grew concerned about further disruption to Middle East energy supplies following the Al Jazeera report on Konarak.
The conflict has already disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and tanker attacks continue to threaten supplies. Markets will watch whether the US denial calms fears.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told local authorities to consider curfews to prevent further violence and hinted at declaring an emergency. More than 2,400 people have been arrested.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands marched in more than 140 cities, demanding relief from the high cost of living, more funding for public services and better schools. The town hall in Limoges was left in flames. On Monday, workers blocked the entrance of the Louvre during a protest.
Paris was braced for another tense evening.