Trump dials Modi amid Iran thaw; they discuss peace efforts, Hormuz Strait reopening
US President Donald Trump spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, US envoy Sergio Gor said. Their conversation focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East (or West Asia), “including the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open”, as per Gor’s X post.
PM Modi wrote on X: “Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia. India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest. Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world. We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability.”
The conversation comes at a time when Donald Trump has raised hopes that the US-Israel war on Iran could be winding down. Trump on Monday said his government was already holding “productive” talks with Tehran; and he extended, by five days, his deadline on striking power plants over Iran’s chokhold on the key oil shipping route Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have said that Trump had backed down “following Iran’s firm warning”, but there were mixed signals from Tehran on whether talks were actually on.
PM Modi had also spoken with President Masoud Pezeshkian over the weekend, though details were not shared on a proposal, if any, for mediation.
India’s unfriendly neighbour Pakistan has emerged as one of four countries reportedly mediating between Washington and Tehran; the other three being Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt.