Two Indian LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The ships are carrying about 92,700 metric tons of LPG and are expected to reach Mundra and Kandla ports on March 16 and 17. Officials said 24 Indian-flagged vessels were earlier in the Persian Gulf, and 22 remain there with 611 Indian seafarers onboard. The government confirmed that all Indian crew members in the region are safe. Authorities also urged people not to panic-buy petrol, diesel, or LPG. The petroleum ministry said fuel supplies across India remain stable and sufficient. (PC: Reuters)

Iran has strongly criticised the United States and European nations during the ongoing conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of asking countries, including India, to buy Russian oil. In remarks posted online, Araghchi said the US was “begging the world” to purchase Russian crude to control rising energy prices. He said the war had disrupted global oil supplies and created instability in energy markets. Araghchi also accused European governments of supporting what he called an “illegal war on Iran.” Meanwhile, the US has issued a temporary waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil already loaded at sea to stabilise global markets.

Eleven Indian nationals have been charged in the United States for allegedly running a visa fraud scheme involving staged armed robberies. According to U.S. prosecutors, the group organised fake robberies at convenience stores and fast-food outlets so that store clerks could claim they were victims of violent crime and apply for U-visas, a special immigration status for crime victims who assist law enforcement. The incidents were reportedly planned from 2023 and took place at several locations across Massachusetts and other states. Authorities say the accused either arranged the fake robberies or paid to participate as “victims”. Several suspects have been arrested and presented before federal courts. (PC: The Hindu)

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Iran has assured safe passage for Indian ships through the strategic Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic engagement by Narendra Modi. During a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Modi emphasised that India considers Iran a “friend” and supports resolving conflicts through dialogue. Tehran responded positively, signalling that vessels heading to India would be allowed to transit safely despite regional hostilities. The development is significant for India, which relies heavily on energy shipments passing through the strait. The assurance could ease concerns over disrupted oil and gas supplies as the conflict continues to affect maritime trade routes in the region. (PC: X)

An India-flagged fuel tanker, Jag Prakash oil tanker, has set sail from east of the Strait of Hormuz carrying gasoline from Oman to Tanzania, officials confirmed. The vessel departed the Gulf of Oman after days of disruption to maritime traffic caused by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Government officials said three other Indian-flagged ships remain stuck east of the strait with 76 Indian sailors onboard, while 24 vessels with 677 Indian crew members are stranded west in the Persian Gulf. The waterway, which carries about 20% of global oil shipments, has seen attacks on multiple commercial vessels since the conflict escalated. (PC: NDTV)

Two Indian nationals were killed and ten others injured in a drone strike at the Al Awahi Industrial Area in Sohar, Oman, officials confirmed. The incident marks the first Indian fatalities on land in West Asia since the United States–Iran conflict began on February 28. According to India’s External Affairs Ministry, five of the injured Indians have already been discharged from hospital, while the others remain under treatment but are out of danger. The drone strike targeted an industrial zone and also affected expatriate workers. Indian authorities are coordinating with local officials and companies to provide assistance to the victims and their families.

An Indian seafarer, Deonandan Prasad Singh, died after a drone attack on the oil tanker MT Safesea Vishnu near Khor Al Zubair Port close to Basra in Iraq. Singh, an Additional Chief Engineer and resident of Mumbai’s Kandivali East, sustained severe injuries during the strike and later succumbed to them. The vessel, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was among two ships reportedly targeted in a drone attack claimed by Iran amid escalating regional tensions. Fifteen other Indian crew members were rescued. Authorities and maritime agencies are investigating the incident as concerns grow over seafarer safety in the conflict-hit Gulf waters. (PC: ABP)

Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, signalled that Indian vessels could receive safe passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid escalating regional tensions. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, the envoy described India as a “friend” and highlighted shared regional interests between the two countries. He suggested that developments allowing safe transit for Indian ships through the crucial maritime route could emerge soon. The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital global energy corridor, carrying a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Disruptions there are closely watched by energy markets and countries like India that depend heavily on imported crude.

India will repatriate 183 sailors from the Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan after the vessel docked in Kochi amid escalating regional tensions. The ship had earlier participated in the MILAN 2026 naval exercise and India’s International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam. Iran requested docking permission for three vessels as the conflict intensified. While IRIS Lavan reached Kochi, another vessel docked in Sri Lanka and IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine near the island nation. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the docking as a humanitarian decision, with New Delhi maintaining diplomatic contact with Tehran. (PC: News18)

One India-flagged tanker has safely moved out of the conflict zone near the Strait of Hormuz and is heading toward Africa, while 27 other Indian vessels with more than 700 sailors remain in the region. Authorities confirmed that three Indian seafarers have been killed and one is missing amid the escalating Gulf conflict. The government said it is closely monitoring all Indian ships operating around the strategic waterway, which links the Persian Gulf to global energy markets. Officials also noted that thousands of Indian sailors work across vessels in the Gulf region, and coordination with shipping companies is ongoing to ensure their safety. (PC: India Today)