India steps in to mediate US-Iran conflict; Modi speaks to Trump

NEW DELHI: India has stepped in with mediation efforts to help end the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The move comes amid growing tensions in West Asia, including disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump regarding the matter. In recent days, he had also spoken directly with the Iranian President and the leaders of Gulf countries.

Modi’s intervention is seen in the context of India maintaining close relations with both the US-Israel bloc and Iran. He stated on X that he discussed the situation in West Asia with Trump. India supports efforts to reduce tensions and restore peace at the earliest. Both leaders also discussed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for global trade.

In a statement made in the Rajya Sabha a day earlier, the Prime Minister had stressed the need to remove disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been in constant contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi since the beginning of the crisis. He has also spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions are ongoing with ambassadors from Iran and Gulf countries.

S-400 emerges as threat to US
In Tehran, reports suggest that the Russian-made S-400 has emerged as a major threat to the US in the conflict. It is believed that the system influenced Trump’s decision to grant a five-day extension to Iran after issuing an ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The S-400 is equipped with missiles capable of targeting advanced fighter jets, including the F-35.

Reports indicate that a US Air Force F-35 made an emergency landing at a Gulf airbase, while an F-15 was reportedly lost, possibly due to the S-400’s defence capabilities. These developments support reports that Russia has provided strong military assistance to Iran. It is believed that Russia deployed S-400 units to assist Iran as tensions escalated, with Russian personnel operating the system.

S-400 played crucial role during Operation Sindoor

1. The S-400 played a crucial role in countering drone attacks during Operation Sindoor along the India-Pakistan border.
2. Its radar systems can detect targets from up to 600 km away and can strike aircraft and drones within a range of 400 km.
3. It can track over 200 targets simultaneously and engage up to 36 targets at once, with the capability to launch up to 160 missiles at the same time.