Our Bureau
Washington/ New Delhi
In a significant announcement, US President Donald Trump on Monday said he has instructed the Department of War to postpone military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days subject to the success of the ongoing discussions, noting that United States and Iran had “very good and productive conversation” regarding total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.
The announcement came as the war between Israel-US and Iran has entered its fourth week.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the conversations will continue through the week.
“I am pleased to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Trump said.
“Based on the tenor and tone of these in depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy Infrastructure for a five day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.
There has been worry across the world over the disruptions to energy supply chains due to the war, which started on February 28.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted that the situation in West Asia amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict was “worrisome” and had a severe impact on the global economy and people’s lives.
As India witnesses challenges with the ongoing conflict entering its fourth week, PM Modi addressed the Lok Sabha and stated that these challenges were related to national security. He highlighted that “unprecedented challenges” due to the conflict were humanitarian as well.
“The situation in West Asia is worrisome. This conflict has been going on for more than three weeks. It has a severe impact on the global economy and the lives of the people, and that is why the world is urging all sides for an early resolution to this conflict,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister informed of India’s trade relations with countries in the West Asian region that were witnessing war, stating that a large part of the country’s need for crude oil and gas was met by the war-affected region. He informed that the region also remains crucial as it provides a route for India’s trade with other countries as well.
“This war has also posed unprecedented challenges for India. These challenges are economic, related to national security, and humanitarian as well. India has extensive trade relations with the warring and war-affected countries. The region where this war is taking place is also an important route for our trade with other countries of the world. In particular, a large part of our needs for crude oil and gas is met by this very region,” he added.
He acknowledged that the challenge to the movement of cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz was one of the effects of the ongoing conflict, informing about the efforts made by the Indian government to ensure that petrol, diesel, and gas supplies were not impacted.
“A large quantity of crude oil, gas, fertilisers and many essential items comes to India through the Strait of Hormuz route. Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz has become very challenging. Despite this, our government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted,” PM Modi said.
The PM said that the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers amid the uncertainty in supply.
“As we all know, the country imports 60 per cent of its LPG requirement. Due to uncertainty in supply, the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers. At the same time, domestic production of LPG is also being increased. Continuous efforts have also been made to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel across the country remains smooth. LPG production in the country is also being increased,” he added.
The PM informed about the steps taken by the government in the last 11 years to prioritise the storage of crude oil for times of such crises. He said that India has strategic petroleum reserves of more than 5.3 million metric tons.
“India has strategic petroleum reserves of more than 5.3 million metric tons, and the country is working on arrangements for reserves of more than 6.5 million metric tons. In the past 11 years, there has also been a notable increase in our refinery capacity. The government is also in constant contact with suppliers from different countries. First, we used to import from 27 countries; now we do from 41 nations,” PM Modi said.
