Amid boiling tensions in the Middle East, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he held a detailed phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday. In a post on X, Jaishankar said the conversation focused on the ongoing conflict in the region and its wider economic fallout, with both sides also discussing energy security concerns and the risks to international markets.
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“Our discussions focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. We particularly spoke about energy security concerns. Agreed to remain in touch,” he wrote.
The diplomatic outreach comes at a time of uncertainty over possible talks between the United States and Iran, with sharply differing accounts from Washington and Tehran.
TRUMP SAYS HE’S POSTPONING ATTACKS ON IRAN
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said he had directed a pause in planned military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, citing ongoing diplomatic engagement. The US President claimed the two sides had held “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days.
“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,” he said.
He added that the decision to delay action was based on the “tenor and tone” of the talks, which he called “in depth, detailed, and constructive”, and said discussions would continue through the week.
IRAN DENIES TALKS WITH US CLAIMS
Tehran, however, firmly rejected the claim that any negotiations were under way. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said no talks had taken place, accusing Washington of spreading misinformation to influence global markets and shift focus from the ongoing conflict.
“No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,” he said in a post on X.
“Iranian people demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors. All Iranian officials stand firmly behind their supreme leader and people until this goal is achieved,” he added.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
Published On:
Mar 23, 2026 23:04 IST
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