Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for closer coordination between India, the United Kingdom and the United States to help end the ongoing conflict involving Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies. Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum on Saturday, Johnson also described the US military action against Iran as a mistake and argued that a negotiated settlement was needed to prevent further escalation.

Johnson said Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism, but argued that political change in the country could not be achieved through air strikes. He said any long-term solution would have to come through an agreement with Tehran and greater diplomatic coordination among major powers.

Johnson calls for Iran deal

According to Johnson, the immediate priority should be to bring the conflict to an end and restore the movement of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is one of the world's most important energy corridors, making any prolonged disruption a concern for oil markets and countries dependent on energy imports.

Johnson said India, Britain and the US should work together to find a way forward with Iran. He also stressed the need for countries to cooperate to reduce pressure on oil prices and restore normal shipping activity in the region.

Criticism of US military action

The former British prime minister criticised Washington's decision to launch military action against Iran without sufficiently consulting its allies. He said the US had walked into what he described as an "obvious trap" and argued that the conflict had created a situation from which Washington now needed a diplomatic exit.

At the same time, Johnson said he continued to prefer a US-led international order over one dominated by China. He argued that America's allies should help Washington find a way out of the current crisis rather than allow the confrontation to deepen.

Modi's role highlighted

Johnson also spoke positively about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and recalled his interactions with US President Donald Trump during Johnson's time in office.

He said Trump had previously been more willing to consult friends and listen to advice, including from Modi. Johnson's comments came as India faces a complicated strategic environment, maintaining relationships with the US, Russia and countries across West Asia while protecting its own economic and security interests.

India urged to press Russia

Johnson also turned his attention to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and urged India to use its relationship with Moscow to encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.

He rejected the view that Russia was in a position to ultimately prevail and argued that greater pressure on Moscow was required for negotiations to produce a lasting outcome. Johnson acknowledged India's longstanding relationship with Russia and its "particular position" on the conflict.

He also backed stronger military support for Ukraine, including the possible provision of Tomahawk missiles and the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.

Push for closer India-West ties

Johnson concluded by advocating deeper defence and strategic cooperation between India, the UK and the US. He said stronger military cooperation among the three countries would be more practical as global security challenges become increasingly interconnected.

His remarks also reflected his broader assessment of India's growing international role. Johnson praised India's economic and democratic trajectory and described the country's future as highly promising.

He also welcomed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, negotiations for which began during his tenure as British prime minister. His comments come at a time when India is increasingly being viewed as an important partner in discussions involving global trade, energy security and geopolitical stability.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly exchanged messages with a person posing as US President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, before becoming suspicious that the contact was not genuine, according to a report by Politico.

The reported incident has raised fresh questions over the security of communications involving senior political figures in Britain and the United States. British officials have reportedly kept details of the exchange closely guarded because of potential national security concerns.

Burnham Received Suspicious Messages

According to the report, Burnham communicated with the person impersonating Wiles after entering Downing Street. Only a small number of messages were reportedly exchanged, although the exact date and content of the communication remain unclear.

One person briefed on the exchange described it as involving only “a few messages” and said they were of “no significance”.

Downing Street has declined to comment specifically on the incident, citing its policy of not discussing national security matters.

The reported contact has nevertheless drawn attention because Burnham had apparently believed he was communicating with a senior US White House official before becoming concerned that the person on the other end was not Wiles.

British Embassy Raised Issue

The incident was reportedly serious enough for the British embassy in Washington to raise the matter with the White House, according to officials cited by Politico.

The episode has also reportedly prompted concerns within the UK government about whether Wiles’ phone or contact information may have been compromised again.

The circumstances have added sensitivity to the case because Wiles had previously been targeted in a separate impersonation incident involving senior American political and business figures.

Earlier Wiles Impersonation Case

In 2025, US authorities investigated an effort in which someone allegedly posed as Wiles and contacted senators, governors, senior business executives and other influential individuals.

The Wall Street Journal reported in May 2025 that federal authorities were examining who was behind the impersonation and what the motive may have been.

At the time, FBI officials reportedly told the White House that they did not believe a foreign government was responsible.

Wiles had also reportedly informed associates that contacts stored on her cellphone had been compromised. The device was said to be her personal phone rather than her official government handset.

How Impersonator Contacted Officials

According to reports from the earlier investigation, the impersonator used compromised contacts to approach people who would normally have been able to communicate directly with Wiles.

Some recipients reportedly became suspicious after noticing differences in the messages.

The communication style allegedly differed from Wiles’ usual manner, with unusual grammar and more formal wording. The messages were also reportedly sent from numbers that did not match Wiles’ actual phone number.

In at least one reported case, the impersonator allegedly asked the recipient to transfer money.

The person also reportedly asked questions about President Trump that Wiles, as a senior White House official, would normally have been expected to know.

Why the Burnham Case Matters

The reported communication with Burnham gives the earlier impersonation controversy an international dimension.

It remains unclear whether the person who contacted Burnham was the same individual or group involved in the earlier US incidents. The identity and motive of the person behind the messages have not been established publicly.

The episode is particularly sensitive because Burnham recently moved into Britain’s highest political office.

According to the report, the communication occurred around the period when Burnham was entering Downing Street, making the possibility of an impersonated foreign official contacting a newly installed prime minister a significant security concern.

Cybersecurity Risk for Leaders

The incident also highlights a broader vulnerability facing political leaders and senior officials: impersonation through compromised contact lists, spoofed identities and deceptive messaging.

Senior officials frequently communicate through personal and professional networks, making compromised contacts potentially valuable to people attempting to gain access to sensitive conversations or establish credibility.

Even brief exchanges can create security concerns if officials are persuaded that they are communicating with a trusted foreign counterpart.

The latest case is therefore likely to draw further attention from British and American security authorities, particularly as governments continue to deal with increasingly sophisticated attempts to impersonate senior officials.

For now, the exact content and significance of Burnham’s reported exchange remain unclear. Neither Downing Street nor the White House has publicly provided detailed confirmation of the communications.

The United States has intercepted 16 commercial vessels allegedly attempting to breach its naval blockade of Iranian ports, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

According to CENTCOM, the blockade remains fully operational, with US naval forces redirecting, boarding, and disabling ships suspected of violating restrictions imposed on Iranian maritime trade.

In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said that by July 25 it had redirected 12 commercial vessels attempting to reach Iranian ports, disabled two vessels that failed to comply with repeated warnings, and conducted verification boardings of two others.

One of the vessels boarded was the Comoros-flagged tanker M/T Charminar, which was inspected in the Arabian Sea before being cleared to continue its voyage.

CENTCOM also confirmed action against the Mozambique-flagged tanker M/T Lavine, stating that US forces disabled the vessel in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly ignored multiple warnings and repeatedly attempted to breach the blockade.

"The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," the military command said, describing the operation as part of ongoing enforcement efforts.

Maritime tensions intensify

The latest interceptions underscore the growing maritime confrontation between the United States and Iran, with the Gulf region remaining a critical flashpoint for global energy supplies and international shipping.

The US has maintained that the naval blockade is aimed at restricting Iran's strategic capabilities, while continuing to monitor commercial traffic in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.

The operations come amid heightened military activity across West Asia, where concerns over a wider regional conflict continue to mount.

Trump pauses major escalation

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is reportedly reconsidering plans for a broader military campaign against Iran.

According to a report by The New York Times, senior administration officials have advised against expanding military operations due to concerns over the Pentagon's declining stockpile of Patriot missile interceptors and other critical air defence systems.

Officials familiar with internal discussions said the White House is also wary that a prolonged conflict could strain relations with key Gulf allies and further destabilise the region.

The report stated that Trump met senior national security officials on Friday to review military options, with discussions focusing heavily on America's available missile defence inventory.

Military leaders, including Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, reportedly warned that renewed large-scale combat operations could significantly reduce US defensive capabilities in the region.

Diplomatic option remains open

Despite maintaining military pressure through the naval blockade, the Trump administration continues to signal that diplomacy remains its preferred outcome.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the President continues to favour a negotiated settlement but retains all military options if Iran continues what the administration describes as hostile activities in the Strait of Hormuz or against US allies.

Recent fighting has continued despite diplomatic efforts, with hostilities involving Iran-backed groups and regional forces keeping tensions elevated across West Asia.

Analysts say Washington now appears to be balancing military deterrence with efforts to avoid a prolonged regional war that could have significant geopolitical and economic consequences.

Fresh military action by Washington after attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz has triggered another sharp escalation across West Asia, with Iran claiming missile and drone strikes on US-linked targets in the Gulf.

The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran suffered a major setback on Wednesday after American forces carried out large-scale airstrikes on more than 80 military targets across southern Iran. The operation, announced by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), marked one of the most significant military offensives since the recent truce and has raised fresh concerns over regional stability.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes were launched in response to attacks on three commercial vessels passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Washington blamed Iran for targeting the ships, including a Qatari tanker, although Tehran has not officially accepted responsibility for the incident.

Military infrastructure targeted

The US military said the operation focused on degrading Iran's military capabilities along the Gulf coast. Targets reportedly included air defence systems, command and control facilities, coastal radar installations, surface-to-air and anti-ship missile sites, drone launch locations, and more than 60 fast attack boats belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iranian state media reported explosions in several southern locations, including Sirik, Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas, with fires breaking out at multiple sites following the strikes. However, Iranian authorities have not released any official casualty figures.

Iran announces retaliation

Shortly after the American operation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had launched missile and drone attacks on more than 85 targets associated with US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait.

The IRGC said the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait were among the intended targets. Neither the United States nor the governments of Bahrain and Kuwait immediately confirmed the extent of the claimed attacks, although air raid sirens were activated in Bahrain and Kuwait reported intercepting incoming missiles and drones.

Iran maintained that its military action was a direct response to what it described as repeated US violations of the ceasefire and earlier bilateral understandings.

Diplomatic tensions deepen

The renewed confrontation has prompted strong reactions from countries across the region. Qatar condemned attacks on commercial shipping and urged all parties to pursue dialogue to prevent further escalation. Egypt also criticised the attacks on Gulf states, calling them a threat to regional security and stability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Tehran would not negotiate under pressure and insisted that Washington must honour previous commitments before diplomatic engagement could resume.

Meanwhile, several international leaders stressed the importance of preventing a broader conflict in the Gulf, warning that continued military exchanges could disrupt global energy supplies and maritime trade.

Strait of Hormuz remains under focus

The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil shipments pass, has once again become the centre of geopolitical tensions. Following the attacks on commercial vessels, several oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers reportedly altered their routes or delayed transit due to rising security concerns.

Energy markets reacted cautiously as fears of prolonged instability in one of the world's busiest shipping corridors resurfaced.

Uncertainty over next steps

With both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating the ceasefire, prospects for immediate de-escalation remain uncertain. While the United States has defended its military response as necessary to protect international shipping, Iran has vowed to continue responding to any future attacks.

The latest developments have significantly heightened tensions in West Asia, raising fresh concerns over regional security, international trade, and global energy markets.

Iran Vows No Ceasefire Until Compensation, Sanctions Relief Secured

Tehran sets conditions for ending hostilities, demanding a full lifting of economic sanctions and binding guarantees from the United States against future interference.

Iran has firmly stated that the ongoing military conflict will not cease until its demands are met, including financial compensation for losses incurred during the 25-day-long war with Israel and the United States. Senior Iranian officials on Tuesday laid out a hardline stance, dismissing any prospect of a ceasefire without concrete diplomatic and economic assurances.

Tehran Lays Out Conditions

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, declared in a televised address that Iran’s position is non-negotiable. He asserted that all economic sanctions must be lifted, and the US must provide a "firm guarantee" against any future interference in Iran’s affairs. Rezaei added that Iranian military operations continue with full force, with the leadership maintaining a firm grip on the situation under the new Supreme Leader. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf echoed the sentiment, noting that the public is demanding strict punishment for those responsible for the attacks against the nation.

Rezaei Blames Israel for Prolonged War

Rezaei claimed that the conflict could have concluded within a week had it not been for the actions of Israel. According to the senior official, the United States was prepared to agree to a ceasefire and de-escalate the situation. However, he alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on continuing the military campaign, thereby prolonging the war. Rezaei further stated that by the 15th day of the conflict, even Washington had come to realize there was no clear path to victory in the region.

Conflicting Accounts on US-Iran Talks

The political landscape is further complicated by conflicting reports regarding potential negotiations. US President Donald Trump claimed on his social media platform that talks had been held with Iran, leading him to delay strikes on Iranian power plants for five days. Conversely, Iranian officials have categorically denied that any direct talks have occurred. Speaker Ghalibaf labelled the claims as “fake news” designed to manipulate financial and oil markets. However, a senior Iranian official provided a nuanced account to the BBC, confirming that "points from the US" were received through mediators and were currently under review.

Market Volatility Amid Diplomatic Confusion

The mixed signals have sent shockwaves through global financial markets. Brent crude oil prices briefly jumped back above $100 per barrel on Tuesday after a dramatic 10% plunge the previous day, reflecting the uncertainty. The initial drop was triggered by Trump’s statements about delaying strikes, while the subsequent rise followed Iran’s firm rejection of the talks and its reaffirmation of military readiness. Asian stock markets, particularly in South Korea, showed a slight recovery from Monday’s 17-year low for the won, as investors cautiously priced in hopes of de-escalation.

Regional Military Actions Escalate

The ground and aerial situation remains volatile. Israel confirmed a new wave of missiles was launched from Iran towards its territory, with air defence systems actively working to intercept them. Meanwhile, Iran released footage of missiles at an underground facility, a display of its military capabilities. In a separate development, the Israeli military reportedly destroyed the al-Qasmiya Bridge over Lebanon’s Litani River, a move that effectively cuts off southern Lebanon from the north. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz to most maritime traffic continues to strain global supply chains, prompting South Korea to cancel high-level diplomatic trips and Japan to announce the release of oil stockpiles.

What Next: A Diplomatic Crossroads

The coming days are critical as the international community watches for any official confirmation of a backchannel meeting. Reports suggest US Vice President JD Vance and other American officials may meet with their Iranian counterparts in Islamabad this week, though the White House has declined to confirm this, stating the situation remains fluid. For now, Iran’s official stance remains rigid, demanding a resolution on its terms, while the United States and Israel weigh their next military or diplomatic moves. The global economy remains on edge, bracing for either a de-escalation or a further intensification of the conflict.

Twelve Arab and Islamic nations on Thursday issued a strongly worded joint statement slamming Iran's "deliberate attacks" on regional states, explicitly warning that the future of diplomatic ties hinges on Tehran's adherence to international law and good neighbourliness . The emergency consultative ministerial meeting in Riyadh signals a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions as the wider West Asia conflict enters its 20th day.

Condemnation of Iranian Aggression

The foreign ministers from countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Pakistan condemned in the "strongest terms" the use of ballistic missiles and drones against their territories . The joint communique specifically denounced the targeting of residential areas and critical civilian infrastructure, which included oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, and diplomatic premises . The participants stressed that these actions "cannot be justified under any pretext" .

Right to Self-Defence Affirmed

According to the statement released following the talks, the attending nations reaffirmed the right of states to defend themselves in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter . Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, delivered a stern warning, stating that the kingdom "reserves the right to take military actions" against Iran if deemed necessary to protect its sovereignty and economic resources . He added that attempts to pressure Riyadh would "backfire."

Focus on Energy Infrastructure Attacks

The meeting was convened in the wake of significant Iranian strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. QatarEnergy confirmed that multiple LNG facilities were subjected to missile attacks, causing "sizeable fires and extensive further damage," though no casualties were reported . The GCC chief, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, described the attack as a "grave violation of international law" that poses a direct threat to global energy supplies .

Call for De-escalation and Diplomacy

While condemning the attacks, the ministers also urged Iran to immediately halt its military campaign and return to the path of diplomacy as a means to resolve crises . They emphasized that de-escalation and restoring regional stability require full respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs . The joint statement also called on Tehran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which demands an immediate cessation of hostilities .

Broader Regional Implications

The ministerial meeting also addressed the wider conflict, condemning Israeli attacks on Lebanon while simultaneously urging Iran to stop arming affiliated militias in Arab countries . The participating nations expressed full solidarity with Lebanon's security and stability, backing efforts to ensure the Lebanese state maintains sovereignty over all its territory . As a trusted source for India News Update, this latest development underscores the growing international pressure on Iran as the conflict threatens to engulf the region's economic backbone, with global oil prices already reacting to the instability .