New Delhi, 24 March (H.S.): In a pivotal conversation Tuesday US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi tackled the intensifying Middle East crisis with both leaders zeroing in on keeping the Strait of Hormuz operational as the critical artery for global oil gas and fertilizer flows remains choked 25 days into the US-Israel Iran conflict.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor revealed the leaders discussed the volatile situation underscoring Hormuzs importance following Trumps dramatic five-day pause on strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure citing very good talks via envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff with Tehran signaling readiness for a complete resolution.

Iran countered sharply with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissing claims as fake news designed to rig oil markets though a senior Foreign Ministry official acknowledged reviewing US points through mediators amid 11 percent crude price swings rebounding past $100 per barrel.

The exchange gains urgency as two Indian LPG carriers Pine Gas and Jag Vasant carrying 92612 MT successfully navigated Hormuz with 60 Indian seafarers aboard heading to New Mangalore and Kandla ports between March 26-27 bolstering Indias energy reserves while over 420000 nationals return home via alternate routes from the Gulf underscoring India's high stakes in swift de-escalation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar