Jaishankar Speaks With Iran FM Amid Rising West Asia Tensions

EAM Jaishankar, in a post on X, said: "Received a call from Foreign Minister @araghchi of Iran. Discussed the present situation." He, however, did not elaborate on the specifics of the conversation.

The interaction comes amid rising tensions in West Asia, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. The region has seen heightened military activity and sharp rhetoric from multiple sides, fuelling concerns of a wider conflict.

India has been closely watching the developments, given its significant strategic and economic interests in the region. A substantial portion of India's crude oil imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making stability there crucial for energy security.

Diplomatic engagement with regional stakeholders has picked up in recent days as New Delhi looks to ensure the safety of its citizens and maintain energy supply lines. India also has a sizeable diaspora across several West Asian countries, adding to the concerns amid the evolving situation.

While the Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a detailed readout of the call, such high-level contacts are generally aimed at assessing the situation and exchanging views on de-escalation.

Iran remains at the centre of the tensions, with reports of military incidents and retaliatory actions adding to the uncertainty. Global powers and regional players have been urging restraint to prevent further escalation.

EAM Jaishankar's conversation with Araghchi is seen as part of India's ongoing diplomatic outreach as the situation continues to evolve.

Earlier, an India-flagged vessel, Green Asha, had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the ninth Indian tanker to transit the crucial maritime corridor since the onset of the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The crucial development took place even as tensions remain elevated and security concerns continue to disrupt one of the world's most vital oil and energy supply routes.

According to reports, Green Asha is an LPG carrier, and its successful passage highlights India's continued reliance on the strait despite mounting risks.

The transit follows a series of similar crossings by Indian vessels navigating the conflict-hit region under heightened surveillance.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has remained volatile since Iran tightened its control over the passage following US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

The escalation has impacted global fuel supplies and rattled energy markets, with maritime data indicating that nearly 60 per cent of commodity-carrying ships using the route are either originating from or destined for Iran.

Despite these challenges, Indian shipping activity through the strait has remained relatively robust.

- IANS