S. Jaishankar speaks with Marco Rubio on energy challenges and Middle East tensions

A file image of S Jaishankar meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: S Jaishankar/X

IBNS-CMEDIA: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, with a particular focus on energy security concerns.

Sharing details of the conversation, Jaishankar said on X, “Had a detailed telecon this evening with US @SecRubio. Our discussions focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. We particularly spoke about energy security concerns. Agreed to remain in touch.”

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington had engaged in “good and productive conversations” with Iran amid the escalating hostilities.

“Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

However, Iran strongly denied any such engagement with the United States.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the claims, stating on X, “No negotiations have been held with the US, and fake news is being used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and to escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”