'What gave US, Israel right to do this': J-K CM Omar Abdullah condemns killing of Khamenei
Jammu (PTI): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday condemned the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and called on the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise restraint, not let their emotions control them and express their anger and grief through lawful and peaceful means.
"The people of Iran must be the ones to decide their own leadership, without external interference. I condemn the killing of Khamenei and his family. What law gave America and Israel the right to do this? I also urge the people of Jammu and Kashmir not to let the situation worsen," Abdullah told reporters.
Referring to the recent violence that has gripped the Valley in the wake of Khamenei's death, Abdullah said that if there was any excessive use of force or misuse of power by the police or central paramilitary forces that resulted in injuries, it would be understandable for the people to feel intense emotions.
"I request the people of Jammu and Kashmir not to allow the situation to deteriorate. Some people are trying to spoil the atmosphere, and reports of incidents are coming in from certain places. I do not want any misuse of force by the police or the central paramilitary forces here, resulting in people getting injured or, God forbid, anyone losing their life. That would be deeply unfortunate," the chief minister said.
Asserting that he understood the public sentiment, he added, "I can understand their emotions, because how can one not feel angry? But in such circumstances, it is most important to control emotions."
He appealed to the community and to religious leaders to guide people towards maintaining peace. "You have every right to express your anger, resentment and your faith, but you must keep the law in mind. Please do not take the law into your own hands," he said.
Abdullah emphasised that if protests are held, they should be conducted sensitively to ensure the safety of other citizens. "We have to ensure that the lives of other citizens are safeguarded. Some permissions were granted, while some were later not approved," he said.
He further noted that reports of stone-pelting had emerged from certain places since Monday, and in one instance, there was an attempt to assault a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). "Because of such incidents, the government is compelled to take stricter measures. Our effort will be to ensure that, as soon as possible, people are given the freedom to carry out their activities properly and peacefully," he said.
Regarding the situation of Indians in Iran, Abdullah said that the Jammu and Kashmir government was in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs. "Most of our students and other people who are in Iran have been moved to safe areas. Some of our final-year students who are in hospitals are not agreeing to leave," he said.
He urged them to follow official advisories. "I sincerely request them to follow the embassy's guidelines, advice and recommendations. If the embassy says we should move to a safe area, then we should go to a safe area," he said.
Concerning the prevailing international situation, the chief minister said that no country has the right under law to carry out attacks on others. "If what Russia did in Ukraine is considered right, and what other countries have done is also considered right, then if India wishes to act against a neighbouring country, that too would be considered right," he said, cautioning against such justifications.
He described the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran as unfortunate, stating, "Israel and America attacking Iran was wrong. But Iran's reaction, targeting places like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, was also wrong. Instead of stopping, the war is spreading further," he said.
Abdullah also mentioned the tensions in the region, highlighting that Pakistan and Afghanistan are already in conflict. "War is not the cure for any problem," the chief minister said, adding that if people in any country are unhappy with their government, that remains a separate internal matter.
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India says no payment issues with Iran, crude supplies fully secured
New Delhi (PTI): India said on Saturday that there are no payment issues with Iran for crude imports and that refiners continue to source oil from the country, as well as from a wide range of global suppliers.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas dismissed reports that an oil tanker carrying Iranian crude had rerouted mid-voyage from its previously indicated destination of India, which would have marked the first such shipment in nearly seven years, to China, saying the claims overlooked standard industry practice where cargoes can change destination during transit based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility.
Terming as "factually incorrect" assertions that the cargo was diverted from its previously indicated destination of Vadinar in Gujarat to China due to payment hurdles, the ministry said, "there are no payment hurdles for Iranian crude imports".
"India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources and geographies based on commercial considerations," it said.
"Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran, and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports, contrary to the rumours being circulated."
Ship-tracking firm Kpler on Friday stated that Aframax tanker Ping Shun, built in 2002 and sanctioned by the US in 2025, is now signalling Dongying in China as its destination instead of Vadinar in Gujarat, which it had indicated earlier this week.
Oil on Ping Shun would have been the first Iranian crude that India would have purchased since 2019. Indian refiners have been looking at opportunities to purchase a few cargoes of Iranian oil on water following the recent sanctions waiver by Washington.
The ministry clarified that changes in vessel destinations during transit are common in global oil trade, as bills of lading often indicate tentative discharge ports and cargoes may be rerouted mid-voyage for operational and commercial reasons.
"Claims on vessel diversion ignore how the oil trade works. Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports, destinations and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility," the ministry said.
"It is reiterated that India's crude oil requirements remain fully secured for the coming months."
The ministry also said that an LPG vessel, Sea Bird, carrying about 44,000 tonnes of Iranian LPG, berthed at Mangalore on April 2 and is currently discharging cargo.
Historically, India was a major buyer of Iranian crude, importing significant volumes of Iranian light and heavy grades due to strong refinery compatibility and favourable commercial terms.
Following sanctions tightening in 2018, imports ceased in May 2019, with volumes replaced by Middle Eastern, US and other grades. At peak, Iranian crude accounted for 11.5 per cent of India's total imports.
India used to buy 5,18,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil in 2018, which slowed to 2,68,000 bpd between January and May 2019 when the US granted waivers to a few buyers. There have been no imports since.
The key grades that Indian refiners used to purchase are Iran light and Iran heavy crudes.
The US last month waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days in its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
That window expires April 19. An estimated 95 million barrels of Iranian oil are on vessels at sea, of which around 51 million barrels could be sold to India, and the remaining are better suited for buyers in China and Southeast Asia.
Ping Shun is estimated to be carrying about 6,00,000 barrels of oil that was loaded from Kharg Island around March 4. Its declared ETA to Vadinar was April 4, according to Kpler.
