In a significant development, US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation on Tuesday evening, marking their first direct communication since the onset of the US-Israel conflict with Iran. According to US Ambassador Sergio Gor, the leaders discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the Strait of Hormuz open for international navigation.
Prime Minister Modi described the call as a “useful exchange of views” on West Asia’s turbulent situation. He reiterated India’s stance supporting de-escalation and the urgent need to restore peace. “Ensuring Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure, and accessible is essential for the world,” Modi stated. Both leaders agreed to stay in touch to pursue efforts aimed at fostering peace and regional stability.
The conversation follows President Trump’s remarks about recent diplomatic progress. Trump described his discussions with Tehran as “very good and productive” and announced that he had ordered a five-day postponement of planned US military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure to facilitate negotiations. This development has raised hopes for a temporary ceasefire, though tensions remain high, impacting global energy markets—particularly Brent crude prices, which surged past $100 per barrel.
Trump also issued a stark warning earlier, threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Iran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to block, causing fuel prices in the US to spike and increasing pressure on the administration ahead of November mid-term elections.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi briefed Indian Parliament on the crisis, highlighting a severe energy shortage caused by the war. He noted disruptions in the supply of fuel, gas, and fertilizers—key imports from Middle Eastern nations such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—many of which have been affected by Iranian strikes. However, India assured that it possesses sufficient crude reserves; Petroleum Minister Suresh Gopi reported an estimated 3.372 million tons of crude oil in storage, along with stocks of refined products.
In discussions with Gulf nations, India emphasized the need for de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Modi condemned attacks on commercial vessels and obstacles to international navigation, calling such actions unacceptable.
The conflict has spotlighted Iran’s use of asymmetric warfare, including the deployment of Shahed ‘kamikaze’ drones against Israel and Gulf countries. As the war prolonged, concerns shifted to the disruption of crude oil and gas supplies. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway controlled by Iran, remains a critical chokepoint, through which approximately 20% of the world’s daily oil supply—around 20 million barrels—transits.
India, as the world’s third-largest energy consumer and a rapidly growing economy, relies heavily on oil imports via Hormuz, with estimates suggesting that 5.5 to 6 million barrels per day are transported through this strategic passage. Prior to the conflict, India imported roughly half of its crude from Gulf nations, but the ongoing blockade has limited tanker traffic. Recently, Indian-flagged vessels carrying LPG, escorted by Indian warships, have transited the region, highlighting ongoing efforts to ensure energy security amid the crisis.
