US ambassador to India said he held productive talks with Philippine President Marcos, stressing the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Two Indian state-owned refiners have suspended Iraqi crude loadings as security risks in the Strait of Hormuz escalate, sources said. Indian Oil abandoned plans to load the ultra-large crude carrier Lila Jamnagar, which can carry about 2.0 mln barrels, after recent attacks on several merchant vessels raised the risk of sending a fully laden tanker through the strait. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, controlled by a state-owned oil and gas company, has also paused liftings from Iraq due to the deteriorating security situation.

German Defense Minister PISTORIUS said Berlin wants to secure its influence over KNDS in any form.