‘Targeting of commercial shipping unacceptable’: India's big message amid Strait of Hormuz blockade, Iran-US war

Amid a spike in oil prices, a global energy crisis and the ongoing Iran-US war sparking tensions in the Middle East, India has condemned the targeting of commercial shipping in international waters, and called for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy. "The exercise of navigational rights and freedom by merchant and commercial vessels in accordance with international law must be respected, " he added.

• However, a few fuel carriers have headed to India under their watchful eyes as India is deploying more warships to the Gulf of Oman for their safe passage, as reported by HT earlier.
• The South Pars Gas Field, with forms part of the world’s largest gas field and is a crucial energy source for Iran, was recently targeted by Israel.
• However, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had earlier clarified that there was no “blanket arrangement” for the movement of ships and that Iran got “nothing” in exchange.

Watch next: India expects Iran to allow the movement of ships safely amid its ongoing conflict with the US.