West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iran threatens Strait of Hormuz leverage amid escalating conflict

West Asia War LIVE Updates: India in touch with Iran to secure safe passage for its merchant vessels through Strait of Hormuz
India is in touch with Iran to secure safe passage to around 28 Indian-flagged merchant vessels through the strategic shipping route of Strait of Hormuz that has been partially blocked by Tehran following its escalating conflict with the US and Israel, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The issues relating to safety of shipping and India`s energy security had figured during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar`s conversation with his Iranian counterpart on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). (PTI)

West Asia War LIVE Updates: India rushes to safeguard 9,000 nationals in Iran as tensions escalate in West Asia

India on Thursday highlighted a high-level diplomatic push to protect Indian interests, emphasising the twin priorities of citizen safety and the stability of energy supply chains. During the weekly press briefing on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is working to ensure the safety of its 9,000 nationals in Iran, with several students and others returning home through embassy assistance. (ANI)

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iran`s new Supreme Leader vows revenge, says Strait of Hormuz will remain closed

Iran`s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday in his first message to the country, called for continued resistance and said that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. In a written message, Mojtaba Khamenei vowed revenge for those killed in the conflict, insisting that Tehran "will not refrain from avenging the blood of its martyrs". The message, local media reported, was read by a female presenter on Iranian state television. It also said "the tool of closing the Strait of Hormuz must be preserved" and warned that Iran could open "other fronts, if necessary".  (IANS)

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iran supreme leader says vengeance is priority `until fully achieved`

Iran`s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who is yet to appear in public, vowed on Thursday to avenge the deaths since the start of the war with the US and Israel, in a statement read out by a presenter on state TV. "A limited amount of this revenge has so far taken concrete form, but until it is fully achieved, this case will remain among our priorities," Khamenei, said according to the statement. (AFP)