US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore has expressed concern over the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which could disrupt energy supplies as the conflict in West Asia escalates. He also acknowledged that India has an “important role” in keeping global oil prices stable.
Addressing a session at the India Today conference on Friday, Sergio Gore said, “Today we are in a situation where unfortunately Iran is trying to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranians are ruthlessly targeting commercial ships, including Indian ones, who in the last few days, even yesterday, have lost their lives to Iranian missiles and drone attacks. So we are really in a different environment. And today India understands this. These India is an important partner for us to keep prices stable globally.”
He further added, “So we obviously appreciate the efforts by India, together with the United States and the global community, to ensure that oil prices remain stable around the world.”
Gore reaffirmed US President Donald Trump’s commitment to deterring Iran, underlined the dangers of a nuclear Iran and condemned Tehran’s attacks in the Gulf region.
He said, “The President has made it very clear that we cannot give Iran nuclear power. And you have seen that on the very first day that America got involved in this conflict, Iran attacked all of its neighbors. There is no country left in the Gulf region that has been untouched by this reckless, extremely dangerous and deadly behavior, in fact they have gone even further. They are attacking Azerbaijan and Turkey. Iran is not stable.”
The US envoy further said, “Now imagine if that guy had a nuclear bomb. So I think what the President is doing is bringing stability not only there but to the entire region and frankly the entire world.”
Meanwhile, Khatam al-Anbiya, head of Iran’s military headquarters, has warned that there will be serious consequences if Iran’s energy infrastructure is targeted in US-Israeli strikes.
Iran’s military spokesman said, “The slightest attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure and ports will trigger a severe and devastating retaliation from our side. In the event of such an attack, all oil and gas infrastructure in the region in which the United States and its Western allies have interests will be set on fire and destroyed.”
Earlier, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had indicated that closing the strait would remain a pressure tactic, in comments broadcast on Iranian state television.
He said, “Dear warrior brothers! It is the public wish that effective and decisive defense continues. Furthermore, the use of the power to block the Strait of Hormuz must be continued.”
In recent days, Iran has tightened restrictions on ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of ongoing attacks between the US and Israel. Iran says ships that do not serve US or Israeli interests can pass through safely.