Even as an Indian delegation gets ready to leave for Tehran to settle the oil payment issue, the Obama administration on Friday said it was warning Iran through public and private channels against any action that threatened the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf.
The Navy revealed that two US ships in and near the Gulf were harassed by Iranian speedboats last week, international agencies reported on Saturday.
An inter-ministerial delegation from India, which will include representatives of the Ministries of Petroleum, External Affairs and Commerce is expected to spend almost five days in Iran.
India's stand
“A final decision on the way forward is only likely to emerge after the delegation comes back and a concerted view is taken.
“Every option, be it seeking a limited time waiver from the US, going in for a barter system or getting oil from another source has a price. The Indian Government will view the pros and cons of each option before arriving at a final decision,” official sources said.
Meanwhile, news agencies said that the spokesmen were vague on what the US would do about Iran's threat to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz. But military officials have been clear that the US is readying for a possible naval clash.