LIVE: Trump claims Iran wants deal, US in talks with ‘respected’ leader in Tehran
Trump says US and Iran have had “productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution” of hostilities; Iran press says there were no talks
Here is the top, trending news of Monday, March 23, 2026, including Iran war, Indian politics, states' politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Read updates below.
Live Updates
- 23 March 2026 5:13 PM IST
Sensex plunges 1,836 pts; Nifty down to 22,512
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty plummeted on Monday, in tandem with an extremely weak trend in global markets as the war in West Asia showed no signs of a slowdown.
Rising crude oil prices due to the war, which has entered its fourth week, relentless foreign fund outflows and weakness in the rupee have also made investors risk-averse.
The 30-share BSE Sensex dived 1,836.57 points, or 2.46 per cent, to settle at 72,696.39. During the day, it plunged 1,974.52 points, or 2.64 per cent, to 72,558.44.
The 50-share NSE Nifty tanked 601.85 points, or 2.60 per cent, to end at 22,512.65. - 23 March 2026 4:58 PM IST
US President Trump pauses strikes on Iran for five days
In a potentially landmark development, US President Donald Trump on March 23 announced on Truth Social that the United States and Iran have held two days of productive talks aimed at a complete resolution of their hostilities in the Middle East, and that he has ordered a five-day pause on planned military strikes against Iranian targets.
He wrote, "I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East. Based on the tenor and tone of these in-depth, detailed, and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President Donald J. Trump."
The announcement comes as a significant sigh of relief for a world on edge. Since February, the Middle East has witnessed a dramatic escalation in hostilities between Iran and other Gulf countries.
The uncertainty has taken a severe toll on global markets, with oil prices surging, gold hitting record highs, and investors fleeing risk assets amid growing fears of an economic crisis. Trump's five-day pause offers the first real opening for de-escalation.
- 23 March 2026 3:45 PM IST
Strait of Hormuz open to friendly countries: Iranian envoy to Sri Lanka
Iran’s envoy in Colombo said the Strait of Hormuz is still accessible to countries it considers friendly, adding Tehran stands ready to provide fuel or other essentials to Sri Lanka if required. The waterway, a critical artery for global energy flows, has seen sharply restricted traffic since fighting involving the US, Israel and Iran intensified late February.
At a press briefing, Ambassador Alireza Delkhosh said passage remains open to select partners. “Sri Lanka is our friendly country and as I told you, Hormuz is not closed to our friends like Sri Lanka,” he said. “If Sri Lanka demands oil or any other necessary goods, Iran will supply,” he added.
His remarks came as Sri Lanka raised fuel prices again, the third increase this month. Delkhosh also addressed the sinking of IRIS Dena, insisting it was "not here for war". “Dena was not ready for war. It was not here for war. It was not here for conflict. It was participating in a peaceful exercise in India,” he said.
- 23 March 2026 3:34 PM IST
Two more Indian-flagged LPG tankers set to cross Strait of Hormuz
Two more Indian-flagged LPG tankers have started their journey from the Persian Gulf and are expected to cross the war-hit Strait of Hormuz before heading to Indian ports, ship tracking data showed.
LPG tankers Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, sailing close to each other, on Monday afternoon, were near the waters between Iran's Larak and Qeshm islands, possibly to make their identity clear to Iranian authorities before they cross the Strait.
The two ships were among the 22 Indian flagged vessels that were stranded in the Persian Gulf after the war in the Middle East nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz - the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects the oil and gas-producing Gulf countries to the rest of the world.
Ship tracking data showed the two ships could cross the strait sometime on Monday before heading to Indian ports.
Previously, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, carrying about 92,712 tonnes of LPG or roughly a day's cooking gas consumption of the country, had safely reached the Indian shore.
Originally, there were 28 Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz when the war in West Asia broke out following US-Israel attacks on Iran. Of these, 24 were on the West side of the Strait and four on the East side. In the last few days, two vessels from each side have managed to sail to safety.
Of the 24 remaining Indian-flagged vessels in the war zone, 22 are on the West side of the Strait with 611 seafarers onboard, while two are on the East side. Six of the 22 remaining Indian-flagged vessels on the West side were LPG carriers; two of these have set sail for India.
Of the remaining, one is an LNG tanker, four are crude oil tankers, one is transporting chemical products, three are container ships, and two are bulk carriers. Additionally, one vessel is a dredger, another is empty, and three are in dry dock undergoing routine maintenance.
Overall, close to 500 tanker vessels remain confined within the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. These include 108 crude oil tankers, 166 oil product tankers, 104 chemical/product tankers, 52 chemical tankers and 53 other tanker types.
- 23 March 2026 3:32 PM IST
Modi said nothing new on West Asia, wants Parliament debate: Priyanka Gandhi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the West Asia conflict in the Lok Sabha offered nothing new, and demanded a full parliamentary debate on the issue.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, the Congress general secretary said the prime minister had merely informed the country about the situation without adding anything substantive. She insisted the opposition's notice for a debate should be taken up so all sides could present their views.
The notice we have given for discussion should happen so that we can also reply and all sides can put forward their views. It would be good that a discussion happens in Parliament," the Congress general secretary said.
In his statement, Modi said the security of Indians remained the government's top priority during the conflict, describing the situation as "worrisome" with serious implications for the global economy. He said cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz had been a challenge since the war began, but the government was working to keep gas and fuel supplies stable.
The prime minister also noted that India imports 60 per cent of its LPG needs, and that domestic production was being ramped up to manage uncertain supplies. He acknowledged the conflict had created challenges spanning economics, humanitarian concerns and national security.
- 23 March 2026 2:26 PM IST
PM Modi Modi flags shipping risks, pushes diplomatic efforts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has been engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation, even as it raised concerns over disruptions to global trade routes.
He said India has been advocating for peace, but warned that attacks on commercial shipping and any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz cannot be accepted.
- 23 March 2026 2:23 PM IST
Missions aiding Indians amid West Asia conflict: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Indian missions in countries affected by the West Asia conflict are actively assisting citizens on the ground, with support extended to both workers and tourists.
“Our missions in the affected countries are continuously engaged in helping Indians,” he said, noting that assistance is being provided to all those in need. He added that missions are issuing regular advisories, while “24/7 outreach rooms and emergency helplines have been established in India and other affected countries” to keep people informed.
Modi stressed that these systems are ensuring timely updates reach those affected, adding that “in times of crisis, the safety of Indians in India and abroad is crucial.”
- 23 March 2026 2:22 PM IST
PM Modi assures farmers, says coal stocks sufficient
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to reassure farmers amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, saying the government would continue to support them through any fallout.
“I want to tell farmers that the government will continue to make every effort to help them,” he said.
He also addressed concerns over energy availability, adding, “At present, we have enough coal stocks,” and assured that power supply would remain uninterrupted.
- 23 March 2026 2:20 PM IST
PM Modi says food stocks adequate, recalls pandemic response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Lok Sabha that the government has built sufficient food grain stocks, even as it prepares for possible disruptions linked to the West Asia situation.
He said that during the coronavirus pandemic, when supply chains were hit, the government took steps to ensure farmers were protected and did not face losses.
He also noted that six urea plants have been set up in recent years, indicating efforts to strengthen domestic fertiliser capacity.
- 23 March 2026 2:18 PM IST
Pm Modi Modi cites energy shift, Gulf outreach amid West Asia tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday outlined steps taken to secure India’s energy supplies and safeguard its citizens amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, pointing to both diversification efforts and diplomatic outreach.
“Earlier, for energy needs, we made imports from 27 countries. Now, India imports energy from 41 countries,” Modi said, referring to changes over the past 11 years. He added that India currently maintains a strategic petroleum reserve of 53 lakh metric tonnes.
The Prime Minister said he has been in direct contact with leaders in the region. “I have spoken to leaders in West Asia in two rounds of phone calls, all of whom promised safety of Indian nationals,” he told the Lok Sabha.
He also said authorities are closely monitoring maritime routes in the Gulf. “The government is keeping an eye on shipping routes in the Gulf so that oil, gas or fertiliser ships for these products reach India safely,” he said.
Modi acknowledged casualties among Indian nationals, noting that some have died, while those injured are undergoing treatment.
