“U.S. spent months bullying India to end Russian oil imports,” says Iran FM Araghchi
Tehran: Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the United States over its changing stance on Russian oil, saying Washington is now urging countries including India to buy Russian crude after earlier pressuring them to stop such imports.
In a post on the social media platform X, Araghchi wrote, “The U.S. spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia. After two weeks of war with Iran, White House is now begging the world—incl India—to buy Russian crude. Europe thought backing illegal war on Iran would win U.S. support against Russia. Pathetic.”
Araghchi also shared a photo of a report published by the Financial Times which stated that Russia is earning around 150 million dollars a day in extra revenue due to the surge in oil prices.
His remarks came after the United States earlier this month issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil despite sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine.
Global oil markets have remained volatile since the tensions in the region began.
According to a report by the Financial Times, Russia is earning as much as 150 million dollars a day in extra budget revenues from oil sales, making it one of the biggest beneficiaries of the conflict in the Middle East.
The report added that Moscow has earned an estimated 1.3 billion dollars to 1.9 billion dollars windfall from taxes on oil exports after the closure of the ‘Strait of Hormuz’ led to rising demand for Russian crude from India and China.
Meanwhile a report by the The Times of India stated that India’s oil purchases from Russia increased by nearly 45 percent in March, rising from around 1 million barrels per day (mbd) in February to 1.5 mbd in the first 11 days of the month.
The U.S. spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia. After two weeks of war with Iran, White House is now begging the world—incl India—to buy Russian crude.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 13, 2026
Europe thought backing illegal war on Iran would win U.S. support against Russia.
Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/fbkrXpXa9P
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Bhojshala case: Disputed structure built from remains of pre-existing temples, claims ASI
Indore (PTI): The ASI has told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that a massive structure dating back to the Paramara kings' rule existed at the disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex, and the current structure was built from the remains of temples.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made the claim on Tuesday based on its 98-day scientific survey and over 2,000-page report.
The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the ASI.
During the hearing before Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi of the HC's Indore bench, Additional Solicitor General Sunil Kumar Jain, representing the ASI, presented a detailed account of the scientific survey conducted two years ago at the complex.
Referring to the ASI's survey report, he said, "Retrieved architectural remains, sculptural fragments, large slabs of inscriptions with literary texts, Nagakarnika inscriptions on pillars, etc, suggest that a large structure associated with literary and educational activities existed at the site. Based on scientific investigations and archaeological remains recovered during the investigations, this pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara period."
It can be said that the existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples, based on scientific investigations, survey and archaeological excavations conducted, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, sculptures, and inscriptions, art and sculptures, Jain said quoting the report.
Summarising the report, he also drew the court's attention to the fact that the archaeological study identifies that many architectural components, such as pillars and beams, were originally part of temple structures before being repurposed for a mosque.
"The evidence of this transition includes Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions that were damaged or hidden, alongside sculptures of deities and animals that were often mutilated or defaced," Jain contended.
The report also states that "all Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions are older than the Arabic and Persian inscriptions, indicating that users or engravers of the Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions occupied the place earlier".
In light of the Muslim side's earlier objections, the bench wanted to know why there were some discrepancies in the ASI's responses regarding the status of the disputed complex in the cases filed over the years.
The Additional Solicitor General argued that earlier studies of the complex involved only officials, while the current survey involved scientists and the use of advanced technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
The hearing in the Bhojshala case will continue on Wednesday.
The high court has been regularly hearing four petitions and one writ appeal regarding the religious nature of the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex since April 6.
