New Delhi, April 2 (ANI) — Former Indian envoy to Iran Dinkar P. Srivastava warned Thursday that the United States’ evolving campaign against Iran could deepen instability across West Asia, increase the risk of Iranian retaliation and trigger global energy shocks that would hit import-dependent countries such as India.
In an interview with ANI, Srivastava said Washington appears to be avoiding a full-scale ground invasion and instead is preparing intensified aerial strikes within a self-imposed operational window of two to three weeks. He described the approach as limited in duration but potentially high in impact, rather than the start of a protracted ground war.
A key concern, Srivastava said, is that responsibility for securing and reopening the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been shifted to US partners. Many of those partners, he noted, are reluctant to take on a combat role in what they view as “not their war,” leaving a security gap in vital shipping lanes.
He warned that continued US and Israeli strikes would damage prospects for reopening maritime routes through negotiation with Tehran and would likely provoke Iranian retaliation. The result, Srivastava said, would be greater damage to Iran and Gulf states and higher oil and LNG prices worldwide, intensifying shortages and placing further strain on the global economy.
“Continued bombing of Iran by Israel and the US will undermine any chances of opening the Persian Gulf through negotiation with Iran. It will inevitably bring Iranian retaliation,” he said, adding that India and other energy-importing nations would face more pain from rising prices and tighter supplies.
The comments came after US President Donald Trump delivered a major address updating what he called “Operation Epic Fury.” Speaking from the White House, Trump praised recent strikes as “decisive,” said core objectives were nearing completion and warned that the campaign would continue if no deal is reached. He said the US would “hit them hard over the next two to three weeks,” singled out electrical infrastructure as potential targets and did not rule out striking oil facilities.
Trump’s remarks suggest the campaign may be entering a short, intense phase of further strikes, a posture that analysts say could increase the likelihood of retaliatory attacks and broader disruption to energy markets. (ANI)
