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The crisis of illegal hoarding? Read how LPG concerns are being fanned while miscreants are hoarding cylinders to sell for high profit

Aditi
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The crisis of illegal hoarding? Read how LPG concerns are being fanned while miscreants are hoarding cylinders to sell for high profit

Hoarders and black-marketers are not only fanning the rumours of an LPG shortage but also creating an artificial shortage of the domestic and commercial cooking gas across the country. Feeding on the fears of India’s fuel supply being disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, these hoarders and black-marketers have found an opportunity to make undue profits. As consumers are panic-buying LPG cylinders amid rumours of shortage, these hoarders are making huge money by selling the cylinders at double the price.

Many incidents of large numbers of hoarded LPG cylinders being seized by authorities have been reported from across the country in the past several days. This is despite the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, assuring people on Thursday (March 12, 2026) that India’s fuel supply is entirely protected.

Here is a look at some incidents where local authorities busted the hoarding of LPG cylinders in various states of the country:

1,483 locations raided, 20 FIRs lodged against LPG hoarders in Uttar Pradesh

During an action against illegal stockpiling of LPG cylinders in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, the authorities recently seized 55 filled LPG cylinders from a premises belonging to Abdul Rehan, who is said to be a member of the Samajwadi Party. On receiving inputs about hoarding of LPG cylinders, the local authorities raided the house of Rehan, located in Asaura village in the Hapur district.

Intensifying action against the black-marketing of LPG cylinders, the enforcement teams on Friday (March 13, 2026) conducted surprise inspections and raids at 1,483 locations in Uttar Pradesh. During the raids, the authorities lodged 4 FIRs against LPG distributors and 20 FIR against individuals found engaged in the black-marketing LPG cylinders. Besides, 6 persons were arrested by the police on the spot.

To allay the fears regarding the shortage of LPG supply and to prevent panic buying, the state government assured that delivery of LPG refills will be ensured to consumers through 4,108 LPG gas distributors in the state.

Around 100 LPG cylinders seized during raids at various locations in Punjab

Teams of the District Food and Civil Supplies (DFCS) Department, District Food Supply Officers, Assistant Food Supply Officers and Food Supply Inspectors conducted raids at 42 locations in Punjab on Friday (March 13, 2026). The raids were conducted in towns including Patiala, Nabha, Rajpura, Samana, Devigarh and Patran. During the raids, the authorities seized over 100 illegally stored domestic cylinders being used in commercial establishments.

Over 200 LPG cylinders confiscated in Araria, Bihar

On Thursday evening (March 12, 2026), the district administration officials conducted a raid and found a large quantity of cooking gas cylinders stored illegally in Pokhar Basti (Ward No. 15) of Forbesganj city in the Araria district of Bihar. The Sub-Divisional Administration led by SDO Abhay Kumar raised the house and the shop belonging to one Sabir Ansari and his son Imran Ansari, where a total of 250 LPG cylinders, some filled and others empty, were seized. Around 150 of these cylinders were found inside the house and the remaining were found in the shop.

Over 200 LPG cylinders seized by authorities in Mumbai and Nagpur

In a major crackdown on the illegal stockpiling of cooking gas, the Food Distribution Department recently seized over 100 LPG cylinders from the ‘Suraj Vallabhdas Chawl’ area on Ganpatrao Kadam Road near Worli Naka in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Authorities seized 64 filled 4-kg and 19 filled 12-kg cylinders of Super Gas Company, and 58 empty 5-kg cylinders of HP Gas Company. Additionally, the officials confiscated 25 empty cylinders of different sizes, including 2kg, 4kg and 12 kg.

The Food and Civil Supplies Department launched raids at establishments of 163 gas distributors the Nagpur division. The locations included Gadchiroli (70 distributors inspected), Bhandara (37 distributors), Gondia (17 distributors), Nagpur (19 by district supply officers and three by food distribution officers), Wardha (15 distributors), and Chandrapur (2 distributors). The authorities seized 110 LPG cylinders from the loctions costing around ₹1 lakh.

400 LPG cylinders confiscated near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh

In a raid conducted by the civil supplies officials in a godown on the outskirts of Tirupati, Adhra Pradesh on Friday (March 13, 2026), nearly 400 LPG cylinders stocked illegally were seized. A team led by Tirupati District Supplies Officer Seshachala Raju raided the premises located in Avilala Panchayat, which was once used as a stock point for a private gas supplier, but its license expired in 2019.

Two arrested under the Goonda Act in Madurai for hoarding 398 LPG cylinders

In the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, the police on Friday (March 13, 2026) arrested two persons under the Goonda Act for hoarding 398 LPG cylinders for black marketing. The action followed after the police received a tip-off by the Civil Supplies Criminal Investigation Department (CS-CID) about the illegal diversion of subsidised domestic gas cylinders for commercial use. A special team of police raided an open plot in the Kovilpappakudi area, where it seized 100 subsidised domestic cylinders and 109 commercial cylinders. In a separate raid in Anandam Nagar, the officials confiscated 189 cylinders, including 126 commercial units.

381 domestic LPG cylinders seized in Hyderabad, Telangana

The district authorities in Hyderabad, Telangana, confiscated 381 domestic LPG cylinders during raids on commercial establishments across Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The cylinders were stocked for illegal sale. According to a statement issued by Chief Rationing Officer Raji Reddy on Friday (March 13, 2026), the enforcement teams have been conducting raids since March 11, 2026 to prevent the diversion of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use.

In addition to that, authorities seized around 300 domestic LPG cylinders during raids at various hotels and restaurants in different districts of Telangana, including Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, and Karimnagar. The culprits have been booked under Section 6A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Authorities confiscated around 100 domestic LPG cylinders in Madhya Pradesh

In the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, 38 domestic LPG cylinders were confiscated as confirmed by the authorities on Thursday (March 12, 2026). The illegally stockpiled cooking gas cylinders were seized during a raid conducted by the authorities as part of efforts to curb hoarding and black-marketing of LPG.

In a separate action, authorities seized around 45 LPG cylinders from two vehicles in Lalghati and Kolar areas of the Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh. The authorities found the cylinders in a truck belonging to Mamata Gas Agency and an SUV. Apart from this, the authorities also conducted a suprise inspection of gas agency’s godown near Jamboree Maidan in BHEL. During the inspection, the officials found that the number of cylinders in the godown did not match the stock records maintained by the gas agency.

741 LPG cylinders seized from 102 different locations in Chhattisgarh

In a major action against the black-marketing of LPG, authorities in Chhattisgarh seized 741 cylinders from 102 different locations across the state. “So far, 741 cylinders have been seized from 102 places across the state. Raipur district recorded the highest number of seizures with 392 domestic LPG cylinders confiscated, followed by Bilaspur district, where 130 cylinders were seized,” stated an official release on Friday (March 13, 2026).

The state Food Department in coordination in the local district administration has been conducting surprise inspections at suspected locations to curb hoarding of domestic LPG cylinders.

34 domestic LPG cylinders found illegally stockpiled in Visakhapatnam

In a special drive conducted across Visakhapatnam Circle-II areas, including MVP Colony on Thursday (March 12, 2026), the District Civil Supply Department seized 34 domestic LPG cylinders from 14 different commercial establishments.

Apart from the incidents of hoarding of LPG cylinders, some incidents of theft of cylinders have also come to light. In the Chala market area in Keralam’s Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, a man stole a 19-kg commercial cooking gas cylinder from a hotel in the wee hours of Friday (March 13, 2026). In a separate incident in Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru, two persons, riding a two-wheeler, stole an LPG cylinder from a residential area.

LPG-loaded tankers cross Strait of Hormuz to come to India: PM Modi’s diplomatic outreach in West Asia secures Indian interests, again

OpIndia Staff
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LPG-loaded tankers cross Strait of Hormuz to come to India: PM Modi’s diplomatic outreach in West Asia secures Indian interests, again

On March 14, it was reported that the two Indian flagged LPG-loaded tankers, Shivalik and Nandadevi, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz after PM Modi’s conversation with Iranian Masoud Pezeshkian on March 12. 

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali confirmed that Tehran will grant safe passage to vessels bound for India through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the longstanding friendship and shared interests between the two countries amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

This is a significant development after the reports of two oil tankers also crossing the Strait, carrying oil from Saudi Arabia and Iraq and reaching Indian ports.

The passage of the ships once again asserts that, despite strategic relations with all sides, PM Modi’s government prioritises the interests of the 1.4 billion people of India and pursues diplomatic and strategic manoeuvres to secure the interests of India even in critical situations like wars.

What the government of India under PM Modi has managed to achieve for India is in sharp contrast to what the leaders of other global powers have done in recent years. Instead of irresponsible leadership that believes in undefined goals and optics to prove in distant wars, jeopardising the interests of its own citizens and triggering economic chaos, the Indian government has pursued a path of astute diplomacy and stable relationships in the world.

The USA, for example, is fighting a war in West Asia where the objective is not clearly defined, the scale and magnitude of the war remain unclear, and there is no exit strategy in sight. The war has resulted in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which threatens the global economies, from South Korea to Europe, and from Japan to China, including India. 

While starting a war in the Persian Gulf, the USA has not only put its own allies in the Arab nations under peril, making them the target of Iranian missiles every single day, it has also caused the endangerment and choking of crucial global trade routes, risking far greater economic woes in the future that may affect billions in Asia and the world.

Asian economies like India, China, Singapore, Japan, and others that need the oil and gas from the Persian Gulf routes are under stress due to Trump’s war with Iran.

In the middle of a critical military and trade crisis, PM Modi’s carefully crafted foreign policy is what is preventing panic and scarcity in the nation. For the Modi government, engaging with partners in West Asia, closer to home, supersedes the game of optics that the Trump administration is currently engaged in. 

Since the war began, PM Modi has spoken to the leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and, most recently, the President of Iran. Peace in West Asia remains India’s top priority. 

The Modi government also did not care for American diktats when it was about purchasing Russian Crude in 2022. Despite sermons from the Biden administration, India ramped up its crude imports from 0 per cent to more than 40 per cent (of its total imports).

The priorities for the Indian government, under the leadership of PM Modi and EAM S Jaishankar, are not guided by theatrics and optics but pragmatism and the pursuit of peace. Securing the economic interests of 1.4 billion Indians is the top objective.

Anti-Indian hate surged on X during US immigration debates, small network amplified racist narratives against Indians: Report

Dhruv Mishra
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Anti-Indian hate surged on X during US immigration debates, small network amplified racist narratives against Indians: Report

A new report analysing online discourse in the United States has claimed that Anti-Indian rhetoric and anti-Indian attacks against Indians and Indian-origin individuals went up sharply on the social media platform X. Particularly in 2025, during the heated debates in the United States surrounding immigration and the H-1 B visa programme. 

The Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) has put out a research report titled “From Policy Drift to Purity Grift: How a Small Network Hijacked the Immigration Debate.” It has analysed thousands of posts on X to study the rise of anti-Indian narrative. 

According to the study,  anti-Indian posts on X generated more than 300 million views in 2025. Moreover, this content has tripled over the year. The institute’s researchers analysed that 24,674 posts came from 14,000 accounts, which collectively received over 8.5 million likes and around 9 lakh retweets, indicating the massive reach of such hostile narratives. According to the report, these posts frequently portrayed  Indians as “invaders”, “job stealers” or demographic “replacers”, particularly in the context of  discussions around the H-1 B visa programme and immigration policies in the United States.  

Indian-Americans’ contribution

The report highlights the economic and social contributions of Indian-Americans in the United States. It is important to note that the community plays a significant role in the country’s technology, business, and academic sectors. According to the report, Indian-Americans number around 5.2 million in the US and have the highest median household income among major Asian-origin groups, with 77% holding at least a bachelor’s degree, far higher than the national average. The study also notes that Indian-origin entrepreneurs represent the largest national-origin group among immigrant founders of billion-dollar startups in the US, highlighting the community’s economic contribution even as online hostility against Indians has grown. 

Report analysed thousands of posts using keyword-based data collection

The researchers used a structured query system to collect posts containing explicit racial slurs or those combining Indian identity markers with negative or exclusionary language. Keywords included derogatory terms and markers such as “India,” “Indian,” “Indians,” “Hindu,” and “H-1B,” paired with terms like “deport,” “ban,” “replace,” “invasion,” “fraud,” and “scam.”
In the report, the dataset is limited to posts published in 2025 with more than 10 likes, ensuring the analysis focuses on content that achieved some level of engagement.  The study also excluded posts originating from India to concentrate on hostility directed at Indians in external discourse. 

Immigration policy debates triggered online hate campaigns.

The report noted that spikes in anti-Indian narrative on social media frequently increased during the debates, mainly on immigration policy developments in the United States in 2025. According to the study, some policy announcements sparked angry online conversations about Indians. These included the US Department of Homeland Security’s new H-1B modernisation rule, visa restrictions on some Indian travel agencies that were thought to be helping people move to the US illegally, and the idea of charging employers $100,000 to file new H-1B visa applications. The report says that after these events, online conversations about immigration moved away from criticising policies and toward more general attacks on Indians as a group. Many posts made Indians look like economic rivals or demographic “replacers.” Some even called for limits on Indian immigration or deportation measures. The study also says that stories about immigration made up most of the dataset. Almost half of the posts were about topics like deportation, immigration restrictions, or “replacement” rhetoric, which together got a lot of engagement.

Shift from explicit slurs to policy-framed hostility.

One of the shocking trends identified from the report is the shift in the nature of the rhetoric over the years. In early 2025, many of the hateful posts relied on explicit racial slurs targeting Indians. However, from mid-2025, this  rhetoric increasingly shifted toward policy-framed narratives related to immigration, labour competition, and alleged abuse of the visa system, which also shows the intensity of hate towards Indians. The researchers suggest that this shift may reflect attempts to avoid content moderation while still promoting hostile narratives, allowing such posts to achieve broader reach on social media. A small network of highly active accounts drove amplification, another finding from the report. A relatively small number of accounts played a disproportionate role in amplifying anti-Indian content. The analysis found that three highly active accounts alone accounted for over 10% of the total likes and nearly 20% of the retweets in the dataset. The accounts are named “NeonWhiteCat”, “MattForney”, and “TheBrancaShow”
According to the report, this suggests that anti-Indian narratives online were significantly shaped by a concentrated group of users rather than representing purely organic discussion across the platform. The study also notes that some of the accounts amplifying anti-Indian rhetoric were associated with extremist or white nationalist online ecosystems, which have previously been linked to other forms of ethnic hostility.

Indian-origin public figures are frequently targeted
 

Further, the report notes that several Indian-origin public figures in the United States were repeatedly targeted in hostile posts. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and lawmakers Shri Thanedar and Pramila Jayapal are among the most frequently mentioned and referenced in discussions surrounding immigration policy.  According to the researchers, individuals associated with immigration debates often became focal points for broader attacks against Indians as a community. It suggested that posts referencing these figures often moved beyond policy criticism and instead included ethnic generalisations about Indians or Indian-origin professionals in the United States. In several cases, this ecosystem framed their positions on immigration policies as part of a larger narrative portraying Indians as responsible for alleged job displacement or immigration-related issues in the US.

Racist attacks on Usha Vance triggered a major spike in hostility.

It also examines the narrative war surrounding Usha Vance, the Indian-origin wife of US Vice President JD Vance. According to the researchers, it is found that hostile posts about Usha Vance remained relatively limited for most of 2025 but spiked sharply toward the end of the year following racially charged remarks by controversial online influencers such as Nick Fuentes and Sneako. According to the study, these remarks spread widely through reposts and reactions on social media, significantly amplifying racist narratives targeting her and her family. 

Report warns against conflating policy debate with ethnic hostility.

While acknowledging that concerns regarding immigration policies and potential misuse of visa programmes constitute legitimate areas of policy debate, the report warns that such discussions often devolve into collective blame directed at Indians. researchers, criticism crosses the line into ethnic hostility when it involves dehumanising stereotypes, sweeping generalisations about Indians, or calls for exclusion based on ethnicity rather than policy considerations. The study concludes that monitoring such online narratives is important, as large surges in ethnic hostility on social media have historically sometimes preceded real-world harassment or discrimination.

Conclusion

The findings of the report highlight how policy debates around immigration in the United States are increasing generalisations and racist stereotypes against Indians and Indian-origin professionals.

It also concludes that the growth of such narratives on social media requires closer monitoring, particularly as online hostility can sometimes translate into real-world targeting of communities. It also calls for greater awareness among platforms and policymakers to distinguish between legitimate policy criticism and narratives that promote ethnic hostility or collective blame against immigrant communities.

Akhilesh Yadav meets Swami Avimukteshwaranand: Read how Mulayam’s police attacked him during a protest and the anti-Hindu history of his family, Samajwadi Party

OpIndia Staff
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Akhilesh Yadav meets Swami Avimukteshwaranand: Read how Mulayam’s police attacked him during a protest and the anti-Hindu history of his family, Samajwadi Party

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav had a meeting with Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, which lasted approximately one hour, in Lucknow on 12th March (Thursday). Afterwards, Akhilesh Yadav addressed the media and expressed that it was an honour for him to receive the blessings of the religious figure.

He declared that the period of fraudulent saints in the nation is nearing its end, and true saints lead society towards the correct path. Nevertheless, this event has also acted as a reminder of previous decisions and statements made by his organisation and family. Notably, the Samajwadi Party has historically been accused of disrespecting Hindu beliefs, temples and saints.

The decision to fire upon Karsevaks in Ayodhya under late Mulayam Singh Yadav’s government, alongside provocative comments of Akhilesh Yadav about temples, monks and Hindu traditions, continues to be a part of political dialogue to this day.

Controversial remarks on Deepotsav, temples and Hindu customs

Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly found himself at the centre of controversies due to his statements on various occasions in the past. He has raised inquiries about the spending on lighting lamps and candles during the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya. He alleged that cities worldwide are adorned with lights for months during the Christmas season, indicating that the government should take inspiration from them regarding the considerable funds allocated for diyas (earthen lamps) and candles.

He claimed that merely placing a stone and hoisting a red flag anywhere is sufficient to constitute a temple while discussing Hinduism at the same time. This remark drew severe backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and many Hindu groups, who condemned it as an affront to religious sentiments. Additionally, he also insisted that, at one time, idols had been covertly placed there under the cover of darkness while reacting to the dispute surrounding Shri Ram Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya.

Consistently question saints and saffron robes

Akhilesh Yadav, targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, once commented that simply donning saffron robes does not make one a “Baba” (ascetic). He cited an example from the Ramayana, where even Ravana approached Goddess Sita while pretending to be a “Sadhu” (holy man). Afterwards, several outfits charged that such a comparison was an insult to the legacy of saints and sages.

When blood flew from Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s head

A protest by saints in Varanasi concerning the immersion of Ganesh idols led to the police, under Akhilesh Yadav’s rule, to execute a lathi-charge (baton charge), resulting in injuries to numerous demonstrators, including Swami Avimukteshwaranand. Afterwards, Akhilesh Yadav apologised, accepting that it was a mistake made by his government, during a meeting with saints in Haridwar.

Throughout the period of his party’s governance, instances of conflict involving Hindu religious leaders and saints surfaced regularly. Moreover, concerns were repeatedly raised about the administration’s conduct, with allegations indicating that efforts were made to stifle them rather than treat them with respect.

Mulayam Singh’s background of shedding the blood of karsevaks

The most significant controversy in the history of the Samajwadi Party is widely regarded as being associated with the deadly occurrences of 1990, when directives were given to open fire on Karsevaks during the Ram Mandir movement. Mulayam Singh Yadav served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh at the time.

On 30th October and 2nd November 1990, a substantial number of Karsevaks assembled in Ayodhya to advocate for the temple when confrontations transpired between them and the authorities, resulting in police gunfire. Official reports mentioned 17 fatalities, although groups linked to the movement asserted that the true number was considerably higher.

Opponents complained that Mulayam Singh Yadav acted against the devotees of Lord Ram in the wake of the incident. This led to him being commonly known as “Mullah Mulayam” for a significant duration. He likewise encountered criticism due to his contentious remarks. He stated that “boys make mistakes” and argued against the imposition of the death penalty in cases of rape during a rally. He even announced that the notion of four men sexually violating a woman did not appear to be “practical” in a separate statement.

From Pakistan to Vietnam: How the Strait of Hormuz crisis is triggering an energy shock across Asia

Dhruv Mishra
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From Pakistan to Vietnam: How the Strait of Hormuz crisis is triggering an energy shock across Asia

The global energy market has been shaken by a rapid geopolitical escalation in West Asia, disrupting one of the world’s most vital energy chokepoints. On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel conducted combined airstrikes against Iran, which is known as Operation Epic Fury. The strikes led to the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, resulting in swift retribution from Tehran and sending shockwaves through global supply systems.

In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil and a significant share of global LPG and LNG shipments pass. With the strait shut for nearly two weeks, tankers carrying oil, LPG and LNG from Gulf producers have been unable to move through one of the world’s busiest energy routes, triggering a major supply disruption.

The world’s largest LNG export facility, Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial complex, was attacked by Iranian drones. The plant, which produced roughly 300,000 barrels per day of LPG in 2025, was forced to halt operations after the attack, removing a substantial portion of global LPG supply from the market at a time when shipping routes were already blocked. As these twin shocks of disrupted shipping and halted production ripple through global markets, countries across Asia and beyond are scrambling to manage fuel shortages, activate emergency reserves and stabilise domestic energy supplies. This growing strain underscores how deeply many nations remain dependent on energy flows passing through a single strategic waterway.

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important energy chokepoints in the world. It is Located between Iran and Oman. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes and serves as the primary export corridor for oil and gas produced in Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq. An estimated 20% of the World’s oil supply passes through the Strait every day. In addition to crude oil, the route also carries a significant share of global LPG and LNG shipments, particularly from major Gulf exporters like Qatar.

In 2025 alone, Gulf producers exported roughly 1.5 million barrels per day of LPG along with millions of barrels of refined petroleum products through this route. With Iran effectively closing the Strait following the recent escalation, oil and LPG tanker traffic has been severely disrupted. The sudden halt in shipments has triggered supply concerns across several import-dependent economies, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, where many countries rely heavily on energy imports from the Gulf.

Countries Facing Severe Energy Stress

Energy supplies from the Gulf are slowing, and this is already causing major problems in some countries in South and Southeast Asia. Many countries depend on imported LPG and LNG, particularly given limited strategic reserves. As the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, it is now the most vulnerable.

India is one of the world’s largest LPG consumers and is facing disruptions that are putting pressure on its LPG market. India imports nearly two-thirds of its LPG requirements, and nearly 90% of those imports usually go through the Strait of Hormuz. There are concerns about the stability of supply nationwide because tanker movements have been disrupted. The reports say that India’s underground strategic storage facilities have enough supplies for about nine days. There are also extra supplies stored at refineries and distribution centres.

In response, the government has directed oil refineries to maximise LPG production for domestic cooking gas while also releasing additional kerosene supplies to states as an alternative fuel. The crisis has also begun affecting businesses that rely heavily on LPG cylinders, particularly restaurants and small food establishments.

Pakistan is facing one of the most immediate impacts of disruption. The country depends heavily on LNG imports from Gulf producers, with Qatar and the UAE accounting for nearly 99% of its LNG supply. With shipments disrupted and energy shortages looming, the government has introduced emergency measures to reduce fuel consumption. These include implementing a four-day workweek, work-from-home policies for government offices and a 50% reduction in fuel allowances for official vehicles.

Nearly 60% of government vehicles will remain off the roads for two months, while federal and provincial cabinet members have agreed to forgo their salaries and allowances during this period. In addition, lawmakers will face salary cuts of up to 25%, and the government has imposed restrictions on non-essential spending and foreign travel. The education sector is also being affected, with universities shifting to online classes and schools closing for two weeks as part of broader energy-saving measures. Pakistan’s finance minister has warned that rising crude prices could push the country’s oil import bill to around $600 million per month, underscoring the economic pressure caused by the ongoing crisis.

Bangladesh is also feeling the heat. It is also struggling to maintain energy supplies amid the conflict in the Middle East, which disrupts LNG shipments. Bangladesh also relies on imports for around 95% of its energy needs. It has to force the purchase of several spot LNG cargoes at significantly higher prices to stabilise domestic supply. Petrobangla, a government-run energy company, has purchased multiple LNG shipments from international traders after some suppliers suspended deliveries amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

The situation has already triggered fuel rationing for vehicles and restrictions on diesel sales. Several universities have been shut down as the government attempts to reduce energy consumption. Bangladeshi Officials have also warned that if the disruption continues, the country may have to rely even more heavily on the expensive spot LNG market, increasing its import burden and placing additional pressure on power generation and industry.

While Vietnam is not facing an immediate fuel shortage, it is already experiencing the ripple effects of the global energy disruption triggered by the Middle East. Authorities in Hà Nội have said that petrol and LPG supplies in the capital remain largely stable for now, but that market surveillance teams are deployed to prevent hoarding and ensure availability at retail outlets. However, Vietnam has announced plans to procure 4 million barrels of crude oil from non-Middle Eastern sources, but analysts say that the volume covers only about three-sixths of a day’s consumption, while existing reserves are estimated to last around 20 days.

Global price volatility is beginning to affect domestic markets, with fuel prices rising significantly and LPG becoming costlier due to higher transportation and import costs. The government has been closely monitoring supply conditions and encouraging energy-saving measures, including remote work arrangements, to reduce fuel consumption. At the same time, state-run energy company PV Gas has moved to secure additional LNG cargoes to stabilise power generation and industrial supply. Officials have also warned that if disruptions in Middle East shipping continue, sectors such as aviation could face fuel shortages in the coming months, highlighting Vietnam’s vulnerability to prolonged energy supply disruptions.

Across Southeast Asia, disruptions to energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz are exposing the region’s limited strategic reserves. Many countries in the region maintain relatively small fuel buffers, making them vulnerable if the shipping blockade continues. Despite being an oil-producing country, Indonesia still imports more than one-third of its crude and maintains reserves of only 21–23 days. Thailand has somewhat larger reserves of about 65 days, and the government is attempting to secure an additional month of supply, while the Philippines holds around 50–60 days of reserves, mostly in privately held inventories.

Experts warn that if disruptions persist, countries across the region will struggle to replace Middle Eastern supplies because refinery configurations, shipping distances and limited alternative crude sources make rapid adjustments difficult. The crisis has already forced governments to explore emergency measures, including restricting fuel exports, increasing imports from alternative suppliers, and imposing energy-saving policies to prevent shortages. 

Conclusion

The ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has once again highlighted how deeply global energy markets remain tied to a handful of strategic chokepoints. For many countries across South and Southeast Asia, the crisis has exposed structural vulnerabilities where heavy dependence on imported fuel, limited strategic reserves, and few short-term alternatives are needed when supply routes are disrupted. Governments from Pakistan to Thailand have already been forced to impose fuel-saving measures, ration supplies, or seek costly imports from alternative markets.

While some larger economies such as Japan, China and South Korea possess extensive reserves that can cushion the impact for months, many developing Asian economies have far smaller buffers. If the disruption continues, these countries could face rising energy prices, supply shortages and broader economic strain.

The situation underscores a broader lesson for energy-importing nations: geopolitical conflicts far from their borders can quickly translate into domestic economic pressure. As governments scramble to stabilise fuel supplies and protect consumers, the unfolding crisis is also likely to renew calls for stronger energy security strategies, diversified supply chains and greater investment in alternative energy sources.

India’s strategic tightrope in the US-Israel war against Iran: As a closed Strait of Hormuz threatens energy supplies, will PM Modi play the peacemaker?

Divyansh Tiwari
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India’s strategic tightrope in the US-Israel war against Iran: As a closed Strait of Hormuz threatens energy supplies, will PM Modi play the peacemaker?

On February 28, 2026, the world awoke to a profoundly transformed geopolitical reality. The joint US-Israeli bombings on Tehran, which culminated in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not only decapitated the Iranian political and religious establishment but also sparked a sweeping, uncontrollable inferno over West Asia. Today, exactly two weeks into what has already been nicknamed the 2026 US-Israel-Iran War, the world is dealing with crippled trade routes, increasing energy costs, and the terrible threat of a protracted regional conflict.

In the middle of the smoke and confusion, all eyes are on New Delhi. India, a developing powerhouse with deep, ancient civilizational ties to Iran as well as a powerful, modern strategic engagement with Israel and the United States, is currently walking the closest diplomatic tightrope of its modern history.

In an important phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday, March 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally entered the diplomatic contest. While the call focused on India’s fundamental concerns, the safety of its population and the uninterrupted flow of energy, it also raised serious questions about the timing, the changing reality of the war, and India’s unique role as a possible global mediator.

Why did PM Modi wait 13 days?

Prime Minister Modi tagged President Pezeshkian in a post on X (previously Twitter) late Thursday night, marking the first leadership level interaction between New Delhi and Tehran since the war began. The official summary stated that PM Modi expressed ‘deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives’ while urging dialogue and diplomacy.

However, in the fast-paced world of world politics, a 13-day delay seems like an eternity. Observers and critics alike have asked, Why so late? A portion of the delay was entirely logistical. As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar honestly revealed in Parliament on March 9, reaching Iranian leadership in the immediate aftermath of the attacks was nearly impossible. The Iranian state machinery was stunned, mourning its Supreme Leader and securing its newly elected successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, while unleashing retaliatory drone and missile attacks. 

But there is also a practical, if perhaps cynical, diplomatic truth to recognise. Following the February 28 strikes, New Delhi was taking its time. Despite its long history of non-alignment, Indian diplomacy has clearly shifted in recent years toward a deeper strategic embrace of the United States and Israel. There was a widespread, silent expectation in key South Block corridors that the US-Israel coalition’s overwhelming military supremacy would result in a quick, sharp end to the battle. India waited for the dust to settle to determine which way the wind would blow. However, the dust did not settle. The conflict grew, involving many proxy states and significantly destabilising the region. This initial hesitancy is possibly the single major mistake in an otherwise remarkable demonstration of strategic autonomy. It soon became clear that relying too much on the anticipation of a swift Israeli victory was a mistake. The conflict would not finish overnight, and India’s quiet was starting to cost it leverage.

When geopolitics meets the energy crisis

India’s increased urgency in the Middle East was triggered not just by growing conflict, but also by an urgent and severe threat to its own economic lifeblood. Over alignment with Israel may result in advances in defence technology and agriculture, but it does not fuel Indian homes, drive Indian factories, or power the logistics of a 1.4 billion-strong nation.

Iran used its most lethal tactic, the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, in response to the attacks. This strategically important waterway is the choke point through which one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and natural gas exports pass. For India, which imports more than 80% of its oil, mostly from Gulf suppliers such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the blockade poses an existential economic danger.

The ramifications have been swift and severe. Global crude prices have risen, with predictions that they may reach the disastrous $200 per barrel threshold if the crisis continues. Domestically, India is already feeling the heat. According to reports in Indian media, a rising LPG shortage is affecting the restaurant and hospitality industries, and states such as Karnataka are experiencing huge interruptions in export operations as a result of the problem.

In addition, crucial fuel vessels headed for Indian ports are presently stranded in the Persian Gulf. PM Modi stated during his call with President Pezeshkian that ‘the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India’s top priorities.’ This was New Delhi acknowledging that it could no longer afford to remain on the sidelines. The energy crisis prompted a rapid reengagement with Tehran, demonstrating that India’s civilizational and economic links to Iran are too important to be overshadowed by modern relationships with the West.

The Khamenei condolence and India’s pro Iran nuance

As the fighting continues, a fascinating narrative has emerged across numerous social media platforms. Geopolitical analysts and internet users have praised India for taking what they see as a ‘pro-Iran, anti-Khamenei’ position. According to the widely held belief, India boldly declined to offer top-level condolences for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s passing, indicating a rejection of the hardline clerical dictatorship while continuing to support the Iranian people. While this story presents a picture of a defiant, morally absolute India, it might also have been a miss that needs to be rectified. The reality of Indian diplomacy is significantly more sophisticated and pragmatic than social media screams indicate.

India officially condoled the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. However, it did it with a deliberate subtlety that was nothing short of a diplomatic masterstroke. Instead of a loud, public proclamation or a highly publicised tweet from the Prime Minister, which would have undoubtedly angered the US and Israel, India followed quiet official protocol. Vikram Misri, the Indian Foreign Secretary, visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the official register of condolences. He wrote, ‘Sincere condolences on behalf of the Government and People of India. We pray for peace for the departed soul.’

This captures the essence of India’s diplomatic genius. By having the Foreign Secretary undertake this responsibility, New Delhi honoured the Iranian state’s sovereignty while maintaining its critical bilateral connection with Tehran without politically backing the late Supreme Leader’s philosophy on a worldwide scale. It enabled India to stay technically neutral while leaving the door open for future negotiations. It wasn’t an anti-Khamenei boycott; rather, it was a measured, low-key adherence to the convention that protected India from Western criticism while maintaining Iranian goodwill.

Why is the world looking to PM Modi?

The international community strongly supports Indian diplomacy notwithstanding the delayed phone call and the initial miscalculations about the course of the war. India is the only country capable of ending this war, according to a remarkable chorus that is developing from world political and military circles as the battle grinds to a violent standoff. Many people are suspicious of China, the only other country that has volunteered to mediate. Beijing has strong ties to Iran’s weapons programs which puts them in a dubious position.

India, on the other hand, has a unique and potent geopolitical advantage, both sides trust it.

Earlier this week, this opinion was openly expressed on the international scene. Colonel Douglas MacGregor, a retired US military official, made a startling claim in a widely circulated podcast with conservative pundit Tucker Carlson. ‘To stop the US-Israel-Iran war, we need an intermediary, and preferably, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi,’ MacGregor said, adding that India is the only neutral state that is growing in stature, power, and influence. 

Western military analysts are not the only ones who have this opinion. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, former UAE envoy to India Hussain Hassan Mirza expressed the same viewpoint. ‘A single call from PM Modi to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian leaders can stop the war,’ Mirza said. The connection between Mr. Modi and Iran is excellent. He is Iran’s biggest oil customer. The issue can be resolved with just one phone call from Mr. Modi.

These endorsements acknowledge India’s multi-aligned foreign policy and go beyond simple flattery. While putting India’s strategic autonomy first and refusing to cut ties with Tehran, Prime Minister Modi has developed a close, personal relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu over the last ten years. With no significant instances of state-sponsored antisemitism or Islamophobia influencing its foreign policy, India is the only major country capable of welcoming Israeli, Arab, Gulf, and Palestinian leaders with equal affection.

Protecting the diaspora: The human core of Indian diplomacy

Beyond grand strategy and energy economics, New Delhi’s activities are driven by a strong human aspect. The Middle East is home to over ten million Indian diaspora. Currently, about 40,000 Indians live in Israel, while approximately 10,000 study and work in Iran. 

When PM Modi spoke with President Pezeshkian, as he had previously with the leaders of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, his top focus was their safety. India has already launched intricate logistical measures to evacuate its residents from high-risk areas in Iran, with some migrating to neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Conclusion

The protracted West Asia War in 2026 has tested world diplomacy’s limitations. Has India responded flawlessly? No. The first quiet and delayed contact with Iranian leadership suggested a momentary lapse caused by an overestimation of Israeli military capabilities and a desire to avoid hurting Western friends.

However, as the crisis has progressed, the underlying strength of India’s multi alignment ideology has emerged. New Delhi has effectively navigated a geopolitical minefield by ensuring its energy interests, discreetly obeying diplomatic norms without seeking attention, and putting the safety of its diaspora first.

Is the US facing an increased domestic terrorism threat while Trump fights a war 7,000 miles away in Iran?

Shraddha Pandey
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Is the US facing an increased domestic terrorism threat while Trump fights a war 7,000 miles away in Iran?

There have been many Islamic terror attacks targeting Jewish people in the West, particularly in the US, since the Israel-Palestine war broke out in October 2023. However, there has been a fresh wave of Islamic terror attacks in the US amidst the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Michigan synagogue, Old Dominion University, to Texas University: Islamic terror attacks surge in the US ever since Israel and the US launched attacks on Iran

On 12th March 2026, a vehicle-ramming attack was carried out by a rifle-armed Islamic jihadi named Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a Lebanese-born naturalised American citizen, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township near Detroit, Michigan.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials called the attack a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community”. There were over 140 children present at an attached preschool when the attack was carried out.

On the same day, an ISIS-inspired attack occurred at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. The shooting was perpetrated by Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a 36-year-old naturalised US citizen who came from Sierra Leone. Jalloh killed one person and injured two before he was subdued by students present in the classroom.

 FBI Special Agent Dominique Evans said that 36-year-old Jalloh barged into a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) classroom at the Virginia college, shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, before opening fire. ROTC instructor, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, was killed in the shooting, while two people were injured. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case as an act of terrorism.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement that the bureau is treating the shooting as “an act of terrorism”.

In another such incident, a deadly shooting outside a bar was reported in Austin, Texas. The authorities said that they are investigating the terrorism angle in the matter.

The shooting occurred around 1:59 a.m. outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a popular bar in downtown Austin’s nightlife district. According to investigators, the suspect initially fired shots from an SUV before exiting the vehicle armed with a rifle and opening fire into the crowded area. Police officers responded swiftly and shot the gunman within about a minute of receiving the first emergency call.

The suspect was identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalised U.S. citizen originally from Senegal. Authorities said items recovered from the suspect’s vehicle and residence included an Iranian flag and extremist writings. The authorities said that Diagne was wearing a shirt with an Iranian flag design on it underneath a hoodie printed with “Property of Allah,”

As a result, federal investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force are examining whether the attack may have been motivated by extremist ideology or whether the suspect had been self-radicalised. Besides those killed, fourteen others were injured in the shooting, several of them students.

On 7th March, two ISIS-inspired suspects hurled homemade explosive devices outside the residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani near Gracie Mansion. The accused were identified as 18-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi, who are US citizens from Pennsylvania. The duo was attempting to detonate an improvised explosive device at an ‘anti-Islam’ protest and a counterprotest near Mamdani’s residence.

US wants to eradicate the Iranian “existential threat” to Israel, while a Jihadi threat looms in its own backyard

Ironically, America under President Donald Trump is engaged in eliminating the alleged ‘existential threat’, a nuclear threat, posed by the Ayatollah regime in Iran against the world’s only Jewish state of Israel, yet the phantom of that very same threat looms right in America’s own backyard. Shootings, arson, and a monumental surge in antisemitic incidents in the US have been reported quite frequently since Israel launched a full-fledged military offensive against the Palestinian Islamic terror group Hamas in October 2023. However, these attacks have found a renewed intensity since the day Israel and the US eliminated Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran.

While Donald Trump has been keeping busy with directing US military operations thousands of miles away in Iran, and boasting disputable successes of Operation Epic Fury, during media interactions, the home front is unravelling under a mounting wave of Islamic terrorism.

Recently, it was reported that US intelligence intercepted encrypted communications originating from Iran on 9th March, which have been interpreted as potential “operational triggers” for activating sleeper cells in the US and other countries, hinting at Iran’s strategy of asymmetric warfare. These Islamic terror attacks in the US are occurring even as there was intelligence input that Jewish synagogues could be targeted by jihadists. Clearly, while in Trump’s mind and rhetoric, the US has won the war against Iran, his administration appears to be failing even at the domestic counterterrorism front.

It seems that the ongoing conflict has not only disrupted global energy supplies via Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but also triggered the Jihadi sleeper cells, who, just as parasites, sustain themselves at the expense of their host, exploit American laws to gain citizenship, only to curse the host country and carry out terror attacks against Kafirs.

The US, however, should have known this better, since its wars abroad have always bred new enemies. The Iraq War birthed ISIS, and now the Iran War will also give rise to new militant groups and unite existing Islamist enemies. The US may neutralise the nuclear threat in Iran through its airstrikes. However, no number of airstrikes can eliminate a decentralised and isolated terror threat America is now grappling with, while Israel watches helplessly.

LPG, LNG, and the host of other oil products that run the world: Read the differences and how India acquires them

Raju Das
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LPG, LNG, and the host of other oil products that run the world: Read the differences and how India acquires them

The ongoing war in the Middle East has raised concerns about the availability of fossil fuel, and several countries are already facing a shortage of fuel like petrol, diesel and LPG. In India, while there is no shortage of most petrochemical items, there have been some shortages of LPG. The government has decided to restrict the sale of LPG to commercial establishments, to ensure that domestic customers are not hampered.

The primary reason for this shortage is that India is dependent on imports for all petrochemical products, including LPG. There are two sources of fossil fuel: crude oil and Natural Gas. While most oil wells produce both oil and gas, some wells produce only gas. These two energy sources are converted to various petroleum products by oil refineries.

LNG vs LPG

During these times, there are lots of talks about LNG and LPG supply. Both of them are gaseous fuels that are transported and stored in liquid form, but they differ fundamentally in composition and origin. Natural Gas is one of the two primary fossil fuels, the other being crude oil. Various petrochemical products are produced from both gas and oil.

Natural Gas in its normal form can’t be stored or transported via tankers in large quantities, as only a small quantity will fit even in a giant tanker. Therefore, Natural Gas is compressed by cooling it to 161°C, at which temperature it becomes liquid. This is Liquefied Natural Gas or LNG, which can be stored in tanks and transported on LNG tankers in large volumes. Therefore, LNG is not a specific petroleum product; it is Natural Gas liquefied by cooling it. Like Crude Oil, Natural Gas is also refined to produce various hydrocarbon products.

LPG or Liquefied Petroleum Gas is one of the products derived from both crude oil and natural gas. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane gases, and both of them are byproducts of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. Like LNG, this Petroleum gas is also liquefied by compressing for storage, hence it is called Liquefied Petroleum Gas. However, LPG requires much less compression to become liquid.

Most of LNG is methane; the proportion of propane and butane is less, and therefore production of LPG from LNG is less. The majority of LPG comes from crude oil, which contains the entire spectrum of hydrocarbons.

LPG is mainly used as cooking gas in India, but it is also used in small industrial furnaces, heating systems, agricultural drying, and as a petrochemical feedstock in certain industries. LNG, on the other hand, has various uses. After it is regasified at specialised terminals, it becomes natural gas that can be transported through pipelines. In India, natural gas derived from LNG is widely used for electricity generation, fertiliser production, city gas distribution networks, and compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles.

Sources of oil and gas for India

India obtains these fuels from a combination of domestic production and imports. Domestic crude oil is produced mainly from offshore fields such as Mumbai High and from onshore basins in Assam and Gujarat, but domestic production meets only a small share of the country’s total demand. The majority of crude oil is imported from countries such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

India’s LNG imports are also significant because domestic natural gas production cannot meet demand. Qatar is the largest LNG supplier to India, accounting for a substantial share of imports, with additional supplies coming from the United Arab Emirates and other exporters. A large portion of India’s LNG imports transit the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime energy chokepoints now blocked by the ongoing war.

Similarly, India produces some LPG domestically through its refineries and gas processing plants, but domestic production is insufficient to meet demand. The country consumes roughly 31 million tonnes of LPG annually, while domestic production is only about 13 million tonnes, making India heavily dependent on imports. Major suppliers include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, although India has recently begun diversifying imports to the United States and other suppliers.

LPG production within India accounts for about 40 per cent, while the remaining 60 per cent is imported.

Why only LPG shortage

Now the question arises, if LPG is produced from crude oil and LNG, why is there a shortage of LPG in the country while there seems to be no problem with the availability of other fuels like petrol and diesel?

The explanation lies in the nature of refinery configurations and the limited infrastructure for LPG handling. Refineries are engineered for specific crude slates and cannot easily alter the fixed yield percentages of products extracted from each barrel. The proportions of different products that can be extracted from crude oil are largely determined by refinery configuration and the chemistry of the crude itself. It is therefore difficult to rapidly increase LPG production without altering refinery units, a process that requires major investment and long construction timelines.

Propane and butane streams emerge in limited volumes, and boosting them significantly requires diverting intermediates otherwise destined for petrochemicals or expensive hardware changes that take years to implement. Even then, there is a maximum limit that can be extracted from a barrel of crude.

Consequently, even when abundant crude keeps refineries running at or above 100 per cent capacity and generates ample petrol and diesel for transport and agriculture, LPG output stays constrained.

Another reason relates to supply chains and storage. LPG must be stored in pressurised tanks and transported in specialised carriers and cylinders, which limits how much can be stockpiled. In contrast, other naturally liquid petroleum products can be stored in normal tanks. As no pressurisation is required, storage capacities can be increased easily.

The entire system for LPG is optimised for continuous operational flow, unlike strategic reserves of crude oil and auto fuels that cover two months of demand.

Fighter jets, Stratotanker crashing, billion-dollar radars blown up: How US military has lost high-value assets despite its ’superiority’ flexing in a war nobody wanted

Sanghamitra
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Fighter jets, Stratotanker crashing, billion-dollar radars blown up: How US military has lost high-value assets despite its ’superiority’ flexing in a war nobody wanted

On March 12, the US Central Command confirmed that one of their KC-135 Stratotankers, the ‘flying gas station’ aerial refuelling aircraft, has been lost after a collision in the friendly skies over Iraq. Iranian sources have claimed it as a hit, but US insists it was a collision with another KC-135 Stratotanker, not a hit.

Be it a hit or a freak collision, the bottom line is that a giant refuelling aircraft worth over 40 million USD was lost in a collision. Just hours ago, CENTCOM was flaunting the very same Stratotankers, sharing images of an impressive refuelling exercise where one of those flying gas stations was filling up a US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet midair.

This is not the worst loss the US military has suffered while fighting a war they started, thousands of miles away from their own country. 

After starting the Operation Epic Fury, where the US has been bombing Iran from its aircraft carriers and military bases in the Gulf nations, billions and billions of tax payer dollars have been blown off so far. The USA lost three F-15E Strike Eagles to friendly fire, though the pilots managed to eject and were safe. 

In the early days of Operation Epic Fury, Iran blew up the US’s AN/FPS-132 early-warning radar at Al Udeid base, Qatar. That was worth over $1.1 billion. In subsequent hits, Iran has reportedly hit and damaged several THAAD systems too, though the US has never officially confirmed them. 

At least 11 MQ-9 Reaper drones have been reported hit by Iranian attacks so far. MQ-9 Reapers cost $30 million each. That is over $330 million lost in just Reaper drones.

Here is a tentative list of all the aircraft and MQ-9 Reaper drones lost by the US in 2025 and 2026, including the Alaska incident where an F-35A Lightning II went down. Note that the US has also lost several MQ-9 Reapers to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Their exact numbers are unknown and unconfirmed.

Model / Asset NameDate of IncidentLocationEstimated Value
KC-135R StratotankerMarch 12, 2026Western Iraq$39.6 million
F/A-18E Super HornetApril 28, 2025Red Sea (USS Harry S. Truman)$68 million
F/A-18F Super HornetEarly May 2025Red Sea (USS Harry S. Truman)$68 million
F-15E Strike EagleMarch 2, 2026Over Kuwait$94 million each ($282 million for 3, approx)
F-35A Lightning IIJanuary 28, 2025Eielson AFB, Alaska$100 million+
F/A-18F Super HornetOctober 26, 2025South China Sea (USS Nimitz)$68 million
MH-60R SeahawkOctober 26, 2025South China Sea (USS Nimitz)$40 million
MQ-9 ReaperFebruary–March 2026Iran attacks (Operation Epic Fury)$32 million each ($352 million approx total for 11)

Radar systems in the Gulf

An Iranian strike hit and heavily damaged the US Space Force’s AN/FPS-132 (Block 5) Upgraded Early Warning Radar, located near Al-Khor, approximately 95 km north of Al Udeid Air Base, in the early days of Operation Epic Fury. This was a shocking loss of a highly advanced asset that had cost over 1.1 billion dollars back in 2013. After initial claims by the Iranian sources, the hit was confirmed by Planet Labs satellite imagery. The IRGC claimed complete destruction. However, Qatari and US sources confirmed the strike caused major damage.

Planet Labs imagery confirming damage to AN-FPS-132 radar in Qatar

This ultra-high-frequency phased-array system, one of only six worldwide, provides 5,000 km ballistic-missile detection and tracking for the entire region. Its loss sharply reduces CENTCOM’s long-range sensor coverage, compresses missile-defence reaction timelines across the Persian Gulf, and degrades support for allied THAAD and Patriot batteries. Replacement is estimated to take 5–8 years due to the system’s rarity and complexity.

Unsurprisingly, after the loss of the AN/FPS-132 Early-Warning Radar, there were reports of multiple THAAD systems being hit. As per reports, Iran has struck at least three AN/TPY-2 X-band radars, the core sensors of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) batteries, though the US has confirmed damage to only one. 

Destroyed AN/TPY-2 radar in Jordan, image via Defence Security Asia

US Army’s AN/TPY-2 at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan was hit and completely destroyed by Iran between March 1 and 2. This was confirmed with satellite imagery by multiple independent sources. Additionally, in UAE’s Al Ruwais and Saudi Arabia, Iran has reportedly managed to strike the core AN/TPY-2 radars of the THAAD batteries, essentialy damaging the degrade the entire layered missile-defense network in the Gulf, because without these radars fully functional, the THAAD systems cannot detect, track, or cue interceptors. 

Loss of AN/TPY-2 radars makes the US rely on short-supply Patriot systems. Additionally, only very few AN/TPY-2 radars exist globally, with no immediate spares, meaning that their redeployment or replacement will take years and weaken defences elsewhere.

Aircraft loss from carriers at sea

In April May 2025, the US Navy lost two F-18 Super Hornets in the Red Sea from its aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman. On April 28, one F/A-18F Super Hornet, worth over 65 million USD, fell off in the Red Sea, along with its towing gear and the tow tractor, while the carrier was turning to evade attack from the Houthis. Days later, another Super Hornet went overboard because the arrestment wire failed to stop it. 

On October 26, 2025, a F/A-18F Super Hornet and a SeaHawk helicopter went down in the South China Sea during routine flying ops just 30 minutes apart. They were both flying from the USS Nimitz. The crew ejected safely, and the aircraft was also later lifted off from the sea depth.

US military’s Hollywood-style superiority vs realities of distant wars in distant lands

The US military’s fabled superiority, endlessly amplified by Hollywood spectacles like Top Gun, video-game franchises, and decades of pop-culture narratives portraying invincible stealth fighters, carrier strike groups, and precision dominance, clashes sharply with the sobering ledger of distant wars.

The consistent loss of dozens of high-value assets, in addition to the loss of personnel lives, illustrates how even America’s most sophisticated assets remain vulnerable to saturation missile barrages, friendly-fire incidents, and operational friction thousands of miles from home.

This pattern repeats the 2021 Afghanistan debacle, when the hurried nighttime abandonment of Bagram Air Base left behind roughly $7.1 billion in tanks, helicopters, armoured vehicles, small arms, and aircraft that fell intact into Taliban hands, an indelible image of retreat that no amount of Hollywood propaganda can airbrush away.

What is baffling is the strange disconnect between the US political posturing and the staggering costs of endless wars in distant lands. The current war with Iran could have been avoided. US aggression in attacking a country thousands of miles away from their shores is choking the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial bridge to global trade, risking millions of people living in the Gulf nations, and destroying infrastructure at an alarming scale. The war started by the US administration is also causing Asian nations like India, Singapore, China, Japan and others to face a supply crunch of fossil fuels, sending markets into crisis and putting healthy economies into peril. However, neither acknowledgement nor remedy is coming from the White House.

The gap between political posturing and the raw arithmetic of strategic and asset loss is also surprising. Washington briefings and news soundbites still frame every engagement as a triumphant assertion of “global leadership,” with officials gloating over dominance, real and imaginary, while conveniently ignoring the multi-billion-dollar holes punched in forward-deployed capabilities, holes that will take years and further taxpayer billions to patch.

Trump and Hegseth have been making big claims, tall promises. But the loss of strategic assets and the global cost of this war with Iran is starting to hurt the whole world. This cannot and should not be allowed to go on. US diplomacy and pressure might force the Gulf nations to endure Iranian missiles on their land, but the economic wounds that are being inflicted on India, China and other Asian nations by risking crucial supply chains is bound to incite some response. Sooner or later, nations around the world, especially Asian powers, are going to step up and ask the US to back off and stop the war. 

Exclusive: JNU ‘scholar’, once charged for sedition in Manipur, is now a faculty member at Jamia Millia Islamia

OpIndia Staff
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Exclusive: JNU ‘scholar’, once charged for sedition in Manipur, is now a faculty member at Jamia Millia Islamia

Jamia Millia Islamia has come under the scanner over the recruitment of a controversial man named Chingiz Khan as a faculty member.

The public research university, which is often in the news for the wrong reasons, has now roped in the former JNU ‘scholar’ charged with sedition in April 2020.

Chingiz Khan has recently been appointed as an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Comparative Religions And Civilizations (CCRC) in Jamia Millia Islamia.

Google Scholar profile of Chingiz Khan

While questions remain about the manner of his appointment, it is interesting to note that Khan had co-authored a research paper with Jamia’s Vice Chancellor, Mazhar Asif, in July 2025.

Coincidentally, the paper was titled ‘Tracing the Historical Roots of Muslims Settlement and Migration in Northeast India: A Case Study of Assam and Manipur.

Screengrab of the research paper

Arrest for sedition

In April 2020, the controversial JNU ‘scholar’ was arrested for sedition. He was later booked on charges of promoting enmity, public mischief and criminal conspiracy.

Chingiz Khan had reportedly written a malicious article falsely claiming ‘systematic persecution of Pangal Muslims in Manipur’. Having said that, he was successful in getting bail within 7 days.

At that time, the Chinese Communist Party-funded NewsClick, Islamist propaganda outlet Maktoob Media and AISA (the student wing of the CPI (ML) Liberation) threw their weight behind him.

They had dubbed his arrest a ‘communal witch-hunt’. Former President of JNUSU even posted a tweet in support of Chingiz Khan.

The same controversial man is now teaching at the Centre for Comparative Religions And Civilizations (CCRC) in Jamia Millia Islamia.

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