Month: March 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting urgent issues affecting the state and Tamils residing in West Asia amid the ongoing tensions in the region.

In a post on X, Stalin said he urged the Centre to take immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply for domestic, commercial and industrial consumers in Tamil Nadu in view of the ongoing situation in West Asia.

CM Stalin also sought urgent measures to ensure the safety of Tamils stranded in the region, requesting facilitation of transit visas, coordinated evacuation efforts and additional flights for their safe return.

Stalin further said he has written to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri regarding natural gas allocation for power plants.

He requested the Centre to revisit the methodology under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, to ensure adequate gas availability for power plants to meet the upcoming summer peak power demand in the state.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister added that our MPs will hand over these letters in person to the concerned Union Ministers. We look forward to swift action from the Government of India.

This comes amid concerns over energy supplies amid escalated tensions in West Asia, following the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28. The strikes also killed several senior leaders of the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, RK Gupta, the National Vice President of the LPG Association, has said that there is no shortage in the supply of domestic LPG.”According to the oil companies, there is no shortage in supply. Commercial LPG cylinders have not been issued since yesterday, but an exemption has been given to hospitals and educational institutions. There is no shortage in the supply of domestic LPG,” Gupta told ANI.

The Central government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to regulate the supply, availability and distribution of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas, including LNG and re-gasified LNG, ensuring critical sectors receive priority supply.

According to the order, the supply of natural gas to certain sectors shall be treated as priority allocation and shall be maintained subject to operational availability to one hundred per cent. of their average past six-month gas consumption. These sectors include: Domestic Piped Natural Gas supply; Compressed Natural Gas for transport; LPG production, including LPG shrinkage requirements; Pipeline compressor fuel and other essential pipeline operational requirements.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has prioritised domestic LPG supply to households and ordered oil refineries to increase LPG production. It has formed a committee of three Executive Directors of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to review requests from restaurants, hotels and other commercial users.

India relies on imports of liquefied natural gas to meet its demand, a significant share of which comes from suppliers in West Asia. (ANI)

Marking the marriage anniversary of her parents, Priya Dutt shared a heartfelt tribute along with throwback photographs of legendary actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis on Wednesday.

Taking to Instagram, Priya posted a set of nostalgic images, including portraits of the couple and a family photograph from her childhood. The post commemorated the enduring bond between the two iconic figures of Hindi cinema and reflected on the values she learned from their relationship.

In her message, Priya wrote about the love and partnership shared by her parents. “Together, they built a home overflowing with love, laughter, and learning. Today marks the anniversary of their everlasting love for each other,” she wrote.

She added that their relationship demonstrated how true partnership is built on nurturing, understanding and supporting one another through everyday gestures and shared dreams.

Priya also noted that the example set by her parents continues to guide her life. “Through their bond, I learned that love thrives in patience, respect, and joy, and that a partnership can be both tender and strong, personal and far-reaching,” she wrote, ending the message with, “Happy anniversary Ma and Papa.”

Priya Dutt is the younger sister of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. She entered active politics after the death of her father, Sunil Dutt, and is affiliated with the Indian National Congress. Sunil Dutt himself had been a senior Congress leader and served as a Member of Parliament representing the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency.

The relationship between Sunil Dutt and Nargis reportedly began during the production of the 1957 film Mother India.

The couple married on March 11, 1958, and went on to have three children, Sanjay Dutt, Namrata Dutt and Priya Dutt. (ANI)

Congress MP KC Venugopal on Wednesday alleged that the Central Government is “lying to the people” on the shortage of LPG gas in the wake of the West Asia Conflict.

Venugopal said that gas agencies have received instructions not to supply any LPG cylinders for commercial purposes.

“Instructions have been sent to gas agencies that don’t supply any LPG cylinders for commercial purposes. The situation is worsening day by day. The government is completely lying to the people of India.”

Congress MP Jebi Mather questioned the government’s lack of preparation to tackle the LPG gas crisis.

“We have been repeatedly demanding that there should be some control in airfare. But what happens in most sectors, especially the Gulf sectors, is that there’s absolutely no control, and it is totally left to the prerogative of the airline and government most of the time just wash off their hands by saying it is supply demand basis theory.

“Did they not think that there will be LPG crisis in the country? Did it not cross their mind that the hotel industry will be affected… But electoral politics is what the BJP and the ruling dispensation is giving priority to,” she added.

The shortage has emerged amid global energy supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. In response, the Union government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise domestic LPG supply, reserving higher allocations for households, hospitals, and essential services while restricting commercial distribution in several regions.

Refineries have been directed to maximise domestic LPG production specifically for household use. Priority supply (up to 100%) is now reserved for domestic piped natural gas, CNG for transport, and essential pipeline operations. Fertiliser plants are allocated 70%, while other industrial consumers and tea industries are receiving 80% of their six-month average.

The government has mandated a new 25-day inter-booking period for domestic LPG refills. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) announced the opening of a new oil refinery in 50 years with the investment help from India’s Reliance Industries Ltd.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the new refinery would fuel American markets and strengthen national security, along with boosting energy production.

“America is returning to REAL ENERGY DOMINANCE! Today I am proud to announce that America First Refining is opening the FIRST new U.S. Oil Refinery in 50 YEARS in Brownsville, Texas. THIS IS A HISTORIC $300 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL — THE BIGGEST IN U.S. HISTORY, A MASSIVE WIN for American Workers, Energy, and the GREAT People of South Texas! Thank you to our partners in India, and their largest privately held Energy Company, Reliance, for this tremendous Investment,” he said.

Trump added that the new refinery would deliver billions of dollars in economic impact and create thousands of jobs in the region.

“It is because of our America First Agenda, streamlining Permits, and lowering Taxes, that have attracted Billions of Dollars in Deals coming back to our Nation. A new Refinery at the Port of Brownsville, will fuel U.S. Markets, strengthen our National Security, boost American Energy production, deliver Billions of Dollars in Economic impact, and will be THE CLEANEST REFINERY IN THE WORLD. It will power Global Exports, and bring THOUSANDS of long overdue Jobs and Growth to a Region that deserves it. This is what AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE looks like. AMERICA FIRST, ALWAYS!”, he said.

This comes amid the West Asia conflict, which has expanded beyond Iran, with Iranian retaliatory strikes–using missiles and drones–targeting U.S. military bases, embassies, and civilian/energy infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.

The conflict has caused significant disruptions to global energy supplies, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 20% of the world’s oil transits.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, during a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the oil and gas prices would soon come down, potentially even lower than what they were before the start of ‘Operation Epic Fury.’

Leavitt told the media, “Rest assured to the American people, recent increase in oil and gas prices is temporary and this operation will result in lower gas prices in the long term. Once the national security objectives of Operation Epic Fury are fully achieved, Americans will see oil and gas prices drop rapidly, potentially even lower than they were prior to the start of the operation. We will live in a world where Iran can no longer threaten the United States or our allies with a nuclear bomb.”

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, through which a significant portion of global oil and gas supplies passes.

The conflict in the region, following the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries, has disrupted the waterway and affected international energy markets and global economic stability. (ANI)

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced launching multiple new waves of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 against sensitive and strategic American and Zionist targets. The IRGC said it had launched the “37th wave” of the operation on late Tuesday night.

According to the IRGC, the latest wave “was carried out over more than three hours, with continuous, multi-layered missile strikes, including the heaviest type of missiles.”

During this phase, IRGC claims to have hit targets in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and military centres in Be’er Ya’akov, Tel Aviv. The targets were hit using the Kheibar Shekan, Qadr, and the Khorramshahr missiles, the statement read.

Iran had launched Operation True Promise 4 after the United States and Israel launched strikes against the Islamic regime.

Meanwhile, The Israel Defence forces have revealed that nearly half of the 300 ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel carried cluster bomb warheads.

The IDF said that on Tuesday most of the missiles were intercepted, but one carrying a large warhead had exploded in an open area outside Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem. No injuries were reported.

Cluster bomb warheads indiscriminately spread dozens of sub munitions, each with several kilograms of explosives, over a radius of around 10 kilometres. Use of the munitions is banned under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, whose signatories do not include Israel, Iran or the US.

After US-Israel launched a bombing campaign on Iran, the Islamic nation has responded by launching hundreds of missiles and drones across the region, including at Israel. Iran’s strikes in Israel have killed 12 people and wounded over 2,000, according to Israeli health authorities.

Earlier, the Israel Defence Forces said that they had conducted an additional wave of airstrikes targeting assets and storage facilities of the Hezbollah affiliated Al-Quard Al-Hassan Association in Lebanon, used to finance the purchasing of weapons and terrorist salaries, as part of ongoing efforts to further degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

IDF also announced the elimination of Hassan Salameh, the Commander of Hezbollah’s ‘Nassar’ Unit Salameh in a precise IAF strike in the Jwaya area. The Hezbollah commander the IDF said had held multiple key positions in the terror organization. (ANI)

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has hit out at the “toxic” culture of social media, labelling it as a place that gives way for false narratives driven by “views and likes.”

Contrasting the current era with his own playing days, Gambhir revealed that a cornerstone of India’s recent T20 World Cup-winning campaign was a deliberate effort to protect the squad from “outside noise” and to allow players the freedom to fail without fear of external expectation.

Gambhir continued to build a hefty resume in white-ball cricket with the T20 World Cup 2026 title win by beating New Zealand by 96 runs at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

Gambhir, now has titles at the Champions Trophy 2025, Asia Cup 2025 the T20 World Cup alongside an Indian Premier League (IPL) title with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a mentor. Having won the T20 World Cup, the 50-over World Cup, the Asia Cup and IPL during his playing days, the Delhi-born has carved out quite a heavy list of accomplishments for himself.

Speaking to ANI, Gautam Gambhir said that one of the key reasons behind India’s successful campaign at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was keeping players away from social media and outside distractions. He explained that the team intentionally reduced “outside noise” during the tournament, especially the pressure created by public expectations and online criticism. He also said that social media has become toxic and often spreads negativity.

“One of the most important things, even during this campaign, which we had during the World Cup, was how much we cut the outside noise. Because there was so much of talk about expectations. So much of outside noise. So I think it was very important for me and I think it was very important for the boys to be away from social media and glad they were able to do that for the last one month,” he said.

Gambhir added that players are human and naturally make mistakes, so it was important for him as coach to shield them from criticism as much as possible. He said that by staying away from social media, the players were able to focus better on their performance.

“You see how much social media criticism there is, you can try as much as you want that outside noise is blocked but it is humanly not possible in today’s times. Social media has become so toxic. Players are humans as well. They are allowed to make mistakes. They are bound to make mistakes. Mistakes are normal in life. For me, as a shield, as far as I can keep them away from that criticism, I think that was very important,” Gambhir said.

The Indian Head Coach further said that he does not feel accountable to opinions on social media, but rather to his players and genuine cricket fans. Gambhir emphasised that his responsibility is toward supporters who care about the game, not those driven by views and outside interests.

He added that if he makes a mistake, he will be the first to admit it, stressing that making mistakes is a natural part of life and something everyone should be allowed to do.

“I am not accountable to what people say on social media. I am accountable to my players. I am accountable to a common normal fan. Who neither cares about views nor TRPs or their western interest in Indian cricket. I am only accountable to them. And if I am accountable to them, I will be the first one to put my hand up and say that yes, I have made a mistake. And everyone should be allowed to make mistakes. I have made mistakes. I might make mistakes in future as well,” Gambhir said.

“I’m not going to say that I will not make mistakes. Yeah, I will make mistakes. A bad decision with the right intention is acceptable. A wrong decision with the wrong intention is not acceptable. I will make wrong decisions. I will make the right decisions. It’s a sport. It’s not like, tell me one person who will make all the right decisions in sport. And in future also, I will. There are certain decisions which will go the other way. But the intention will never be compromised,” he further said.

Gambhir said his role as coach is not to prove critics wrong but to support and protect his players. He stressed that his main responsibility is to the players in the dressing room, whom he aims to back like a shield while maintaining trust and faith in them. Gambhir added that he works with complete honesty and without any agenda, and as long as he remains truthful to his players and the country, he can accept any result that comes during his tenure.

“My job is not to prove my critics wrong. My job is to prove my players right. That is my job. I look at things from a very different angle because I have never looked at my job as proving something to someone. I have to prove to my players that I’m the one who’s going to be like a shield to them and more importantly, I need to have faith and trust in my players and I’ve said it during my press conferences as well,” Gambhir said.

“The only accountability that I have till I have this tenure is towards those 30 people sitting in that dressing room. If I can work with them with honesty, I can talk with them with honesty. I don’t walk with any agenda and I walk in a completely black and white manner, so whatever result I get, I can live with that result for the rest of my life. So, in the last one and a half to two years, whatever my tenure, whatever I have achieved, whatever downfalls I have seen, I think one thing I can be very proud of is that I have been extremely, extremely honest to people sitting in that dressing room and more importantly, to this country.” the Team India head coach added.

Comparing his playing days with the current scenario, Gambhir said modern players face far more pressure than his generation because of social media. He noted that while criticism existed during his playing days, it mainly came from print and electronic media, whereas today, online platforms can quickly create false narratives.

Gambhir added that many critics and YouTubers focus on negativity to gain views and likes, which can unfairly target players. Because of this, he believes it is important to protect cricketers from social media noise and allow them the space to make mistakes and learn while representing the country.

“I was very fortunate that when I was playing, there was no social media. Yes, there used to be a lot of criticism at that time, but it was a lot in print and electronically. But in today’s day and age, I think these boys go through a lot more than what we went through when I was playing. So it is very important for someone to protect them and keep them away from social media as well. Because, see, the problem in social media is that tomorrow you can create a narrative against anyone by doing anything. And the reality is not that. Before this, in our time, whatever was said, there was some truth in it. But today, whether you take social media or critics, or YouTubers, who only work for views and likes, they have to say negative things to gain views,” he said.

“But that is not right because you have to put yourself in the shoes of the players who are sitting in the dressing room, who are representing the whole country. It is very important to see and talk. Let them be allowed to make mistakes,” Gambhir added.

Gautam Gambhir also spoke about the on-field incident between Arshdeep Singh and Daryl Mitchell during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final. In the 11th over of New Zealand’s innings, after Mitchell struck Arshdeep for two consecutive sixes, the Indian pacer fielded the ball and threw it back toward the batter, with the throw hitting Mitchell on the pads.

Despite Arshdeep apologising to Mitchell following the match, the Indian pacer was fined 15% of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct due to the incident.

Defending Arshdeep, Gambhir pointed out that similar incidents happened frequently in the past, but today, social media tends to exaggerate and escalate them. Gambhir added that players show aggression because they are representing their country and want to win, and this competitive spirit should be understood rather than criticised.

“That is okay. You’re representing your country. You’re bound to show aggression. There’s nothing wrong with that. No bowler likes to get hit for two sixes. And that is the kind of response I want to see from my players. And that there is nothing wrong. Or in fact, even if sorry is not said, I was absolutely fine with it. I was absolutely fine. He doesn’t need to say sorry. Yes, it’s good on him that he apologised. But on a cricket field, there are no friends. Neither are there any enemies,” Gambhir said.

“Your job is to represent your country. Your job is to win a game of cricket for your country. And you don’t want to get hit for two sixes. And that was fine. I thought we should not blow all these things out of proportion because these things used to happen before. Today, because of social media, things escalate a lot,” he added. (ANI)

Amidst the prevailing tensions between Israel and Iran and escalating tensions across West Asia, Qatar Airways announced on Wednesday that it will operate a limited flight schedule to and from Doha starting March 12.

According to the airline’s updated operational schedule, Qatar Airways will operate a total of 29 flights to and from Hamad International Airport on March 12, consisting of 15 departures and 14 arrivals.

Key departure destinations from Doha include Mumbai, New Delhi, Islamabad, New York, Frankfurt, Beijing, London, Cairo and Johannesburg. Inbound flights arriving in Doha are scheduled from Seoul, Jeddah, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Muscat, Melbourne, Dallas and Bangkok.

In a formal statement, Qatar Airways announced that, following temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, it has been permitted to utilise limited operating corridors. The airline plans to operate a select schedule over the coming days to support passengers affected by the ongoing airspace disruption. However, it emphasised that these flights do not constitute a resumption of regular commercial operations.

“With Qatar Airways flights still temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace, we are doing everything possible to support affected passengers and help reunite them with family and loved ones. We recognise this may be unsettling and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Operations will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirms the safe reopening of Qatari airspace,” the airline said.

The airline further stated that it is making every effort to assist affected passengers and facilitate their reunion with their loved ones. Qatar Airways reassured travellers that full flight operations will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirms the safe reopening of the country’s airspace.

“Following temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority allowing limited operating corridors, Qatar Airways plans to operate select flights in the coming days to support passengers affected by the disruption. These flights do not constitute confirmation of the resumption of scheduled commercial operations,” added Qatar Airways.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Indian carriers have successfully operated 45 inbound flights from West Asia, bringing 7,047 passengers into the country, according to operational data of March 9.

In light of the evolving regional situation, airlines have requested greater operational flexibility to ensure the safety of passengers and to provide necessary evacuation support wherever required.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have coordinated with relevant authorities to allow additional arrival and departure slots, and enable the use of Muscat International Airport as an enroute alternate airport for flights to and from destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Fujairah, Jeddah and Medina.

Operational plans of airlines indicate that Air India and Air India Express will operate flights to Riyadh starting March 12th. Indigo will also start its Mumbai-Riyadh-Mumbai services from the same date.MoCA further stated that SpiceJet has been facilitated in obtaining approvals for alternate airports to ensure continued operational safety and flexibility for flights operating in the region.

The limited flight operations follow an escalating West Asia security crisis, triggered by Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. military bases, embassies, and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.

The conflict has caused significant disruptions to global energy supplies, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil transits. (ANI)

Congress MPs on Wednesday protested in the Parliament premises over the alleged shortage of commercial LPG cylinder across the country. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined the protest. The Opposition MPs carried the banners saying, “PM is compromised.”

The INDIA bloc leaders have sought a discussion on the reported shortage of LPG amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Earlier today, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat demanded a detailed discussion on the situation in West Asia, accusing the Centre of “running from its responsibilities.”

“PM Modi said in 2022 that we will reduce imports, but we are instead relying on other countries. There should be a detailed discussion in the Parliament over our immediate steps ahead. The impact of the war has started to show. This government is running from its responsibilities,” Sukhdeo Bhagat told ANI.

The shortage of LPG has emerged amid global energy supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. In response, the Union government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise domestic LPG supply, reserving higher allocations for households, hospitals, and essential services while restricting commercial distribution in several regions.

The government has mandated a new 25-day inter-booking period for domestic LPG refills.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also hit out at the Centre and said, “The government failed to predict the possible threats arising from the West Asia conflict.”

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP V Sivadasan alleged that the party will raise the matter in the Parliament.

“A lot of hotels shut down, and a lot of families are suffering due to the shortage. The central government is not ready to manage this issue properly. We will raise this issue in the Parliament, and our party will raise the issue outside the Parliament and conduct a nationwide campaign against the price hike,” the CPI(M) MP told ANI.

Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar on Wednesday submitted a suspension of business notice to discuss the issue in the Rajya Sabha (ANI)

The Doda district administration on Wednesday District officials in Doda have reached out to the families of 5 students who are unable to leave Iran because of the current war-like situation in the Middle East.

Officials have confirmed that 5 students from Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district remain stranded in Iran amid the ongoing regional crisis, while 1 student has returned home.

Deputy Commissioner of Doda, Krishan Lal, while speaking to ANI, said, “We conducted an exercise to know how many students of Doda district are stuck in Iran. Out of the 6 students, 1 came back on 27th, and 5 were stranded. The Ministry of External Affairs shared us some contact numbers, which we have shared with the parents, who can ask their kids to get in touch with the Indian Embassy. I assure the public that the district administration is always there to address genuine grievances of the public…”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, assuring the safety of the large Indian community in the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali said that the Indian diaspora in the Gulf nation is safe and cared for, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct engagement with the UAE leadership during the situation.

Alshaali said Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally contacted UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan soon after concerns arose, reflecting the strong ties between the two nations and the importance both countries attach to the well-being of the nearly four million Indians living in the UAE.

“They were watching the place where their son works, where their daughter lives, where their family has built a life. And Prime Minister Modi’s response to that reality was immediate. He called His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, directly,” Alshaali said.

He added that PM Modi’s move demonstrates the Indian leadership’s close monitoring of the situation and its active engagement with the UAE authorities regarding the safety of Indian nationals.

“The four million Indians living in the UAE deserve to know that their Prime Minister was personally engaged, personally watching, and personally in contact with the leadership of the country they call home,” he said.

Addressing Indian families concerned about their relatives in the UAE, the Ambassador delivered a direct message of reassurance, stating, “To the mother in Kerala watching the news at midnight, and to the father in Gujarat refreshing his phone waiting to hear from his son in Dubai, let me be extremely clear: Your family in the UAE is not alone. They are safe, they are cared for, and they are considered family by the leadership of this country,” he said.

Earlier this month, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) received more than 18 distress calls from Indian students stranded in Iran, particularly from Isfahan, where Indian medical students are currently staying, the student’s body said on Sunday.

The student medical association said that they received reports about students moving underground into a basement after an attack near Darvaze-ye Shirazi, close to their hostel. Distressing calls were again received in the night, March 7 and in the morning, March 8, as the situation remains tense.

Students from Qom, including those studying at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, and Iran University of Medical Sciences, reported that they were relocated after nearby residential buildings were targeted, leaving many students extremely frightened, the release stated. (ANI)

China on Tuesday expressed concern over the functional blockage of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia conflict and called on “relevant parties” to immediately halt military operations and avoid further escalation.

Speaking at a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said stability in the region is crucial as the Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global trade and energy supplies.

“The Strait of Hormuz and waters nearby are an important route for international goods and energy trade. Keeping the region safe and stable serves the common interests of the international community,” Guo said.

He urged all parties, particularly the US, Israel and Iran, involved in the conflict to prioritise de-escalation and prevent the crisis from affecting the global economy.

“China urges parties to stop the military operations at once, avoid further escalation, and prevent the regional turmoil from having a larger impact on global economic growth,” he said.

Reiterating Beijing’s position, the spokesperson said the immediate priority should be to end hostilities and stop tensions from spreading further in the region.

“The pressing priority now is that relevant parties should stop the military operations at once, avoid further escalation and spread of tensions, and prevent the regional turmoil from having a larger impact on global economic growth,” Guo added.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, through which a significant portion of global oil and gas supplies passes.

The conflict in the region, following the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries, has disrupted the waterway and affected international energy markets and global economic stability. (ANI)