Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke over telephone with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, during which the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
In a post on Twitter, PM Modi said he reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure and agreed to ensure freedom of navigation and keep shipping lines open and safe.
He said, “I spoke to His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia. I reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure. We agreed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation and keep shipping lanes open and safe. I thanked him for his continued support for the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia.”
These calls are based on the sustained diplomatic efforts by Prime Minister Modi since the beginning of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran today claimed it has struck two US military “hideouts” in Dubai as conflict continues in Middle East, Iranian state media Fars News Agency reported.
According to the news agency, a spokesman for Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya’s central headquarters claimed that US military personnel had moved into these secret bases following Iran’s attacks on their bases in the region.
The spokesperson claimed that more than 500 US Army personnel were present in these secret bases, of which about 400 were in the first base and 100 in the second base.
According to the spokesperson’s claims, reported by Fars News Agency, the IRGC identified these locations and launched precise missile and drone strikes, causing heavy losses.
The spokesperson further said, “Trump and the US military commanders should have fully understood that this area will become a graveyard for American soldiers, and they will have no choice but to surrender to the divine will of the brave people and the brave warriors of Islam.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is expected to deploy troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to a report by CBS.
The Pentagon plans to send parts of the division to the region, including a command component and some ground forces, the news report said, citing a source familiar with the planning.
The US is also considering a plan to conduct a ground operation in Kharg Island. At the same time, Iran has started laying landmines on the island and deployed additional troops.
