FirstFT: Trump says US Navy could escort oil tankers in Gulf
Also in today’s newsletter: China prepares law curtailing minority language rights, and Pakistan urges Iran not to attack Saudi Arabia
Stocks and bonds stabilise as Middle East war widens
Oil briefly hit $85 a barrel as Iraqi production shuts down because so few tankers risk journey through Strait of Hormuz
Transcript: Energy prices up, markets down
Katie Martin speaks to Robert Armstrong and Jamie Smyth
Energy prices up, markets down
What will the war in Iran mean for markets?
Pakistan urges Iran not to attack Saudi Arabia
Foreign minister highlights how Islamabad has a mutual defence pact with Riyadh
Capital Group’s weird passive bravado
Triggered
UK to deploy a warship and counter-drone helicopters to Cyprus
France announces it is also sending air and naval assets to the Mediterranean and Middle East
UK lifts Russia-linked sanctions on British accountant
John Michael Ormerod was added to UK sanctions lists as part of attempts to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet of vessels
UAE projects normal life as missiles shake haven reputation
Officials urge residents to return to normal but holidaymakers are cancelling
US seeks to revive battle with four law firms over executive orders
Justice department reverses decision from a day earlier to walk away from court case
Reeves faces hazardous fiscal picture even without Iran war
UK chancellor promises ‘stability’ but forecasts highlight impact of lower immigration and rising defence spending
Trump threatens to cut trade with Spain and calls Starmer ‘no Churchill’
US president criticised some European nations for not being helpful in war on Iran
A dull UK fiscal statement comes with a fragile outlook
As global risks mount, Rachel Reeves must shore up Britain’s finances and growth agenda
US media watchdog signals support for Paramount’s $110bn Warner Bros deal
Brendan Carr says company’s bid raises a ‘drastically different’ level of concern to the one Netflix tabled
Blue Owl slides below listing price as private credit worries mount
Investor redemptions and fears of AI disruption to software companies have prompted worries across the industry
Middle Eastern airlines start to fly stranded passengers out of Gulf
UK and French governments prepare to repatriate vulnerable nationals
All3Media and Banijay combine to create $8bn global TV powerhouse
Combined group will be the world’s largest independent TV maker producing shows from MasterChef to The Traitors
Loveholidays poised to delay £1bn London IPO after Gulf travel chaos
Online travel agent was tipped to be the London Stock Exchange’s first significant listing of 2026
How AI fakes are turning satellite images into war misinformation
Modified images of strikes circulate as fighting intensifies across the Middle East
Sweeping assault on Iranian state leaves residents reeling
US and Israeli strikes against an expansive list of targets cause heavy damage in residential areas and civilian casualties
US petrol prices surge as Trump’s Iran war triggers inflation worries
Costs at the pump exceed level at the end of the Biden administration
OBR warns UK economy could face ‘very significant’ hit from Iran war
Rachel Reeves touts ‘stability’ of UK public finances in Spring Statement amid gilt sell-off
Trump says US Navy prepared to escort oil tankers in Gulf
President promises to provide insurance for vessels transiting the region as Iran conflict disrupts energy flows
Eurozone inflation unexpectedly rises to 1.9% in February
Economists say Iran conflict was ‘already casting its shadow’ as tensions had pushed up oil prices last month