Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 8: India on Wednesday voiced serious concern over the renewed escalation of tensions in West Asia following fresh attacks on commercial shipping in international waters, urging all sides to avoid further confrontation and return to dialogue.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the latest developments pose a threat to regional peace, stability and the uninterrupted movement of global trade and energy supplies.
"India is deeply concerned over the recent attacks and escalation of tensions in West Asia, which have followed fresh targeting of commercial shipping transiting international waterways in the region. These developments risk undermining regional peace, security and stability," the MEA said.
Calling for restraint, India urged all parties to de-escalate the situation, safeguard civilians and ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and international commerce. The government also stressed the need to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.
The statement came as global crude oil prices surged sharply after US President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran had effectively collapsed following fresh American military strikes on Iranian targets.
International benchmark Brent crude rose more than six per cent, climbing nearly $4.70 to trade close to $80 per barrel. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also gained over six per cent, rising about $4.85 to around $75 per barrel, amid fears that prolonged tensions could disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf region.
The latest spike followed renewed attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important oil shipping routes.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and later with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump defended the recent US military action against Iran and accused Tehran of resuming hostilities after requesting a temporary pause in operations during funeral ceremonies.
The US President warned that Washington was prepared to carry out additional strikes if Iran continued its attacks and said he had instructed the military to expand its targets during the latest operation while avoiding oil pipeline infrastructure.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces had targeted Iranian military assets allegedly involved in threatening commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, including drone and missile storage sites, coastal defence systems, radar installations and surveillance facilities.