Elon Musk joined Trump-Modi last week to discuss West Asia war: Report

The White House praised the call between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Iran crisis, even as it did not confirm reports that Elon Musk joined the conversation. 

US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, March 24. The two leaders discussed the ongoing war in West Asia. Trump wanted to talk about the situation in the Gulf region. He raised concerns about food and fuel security.

After the call, Prime Minister Modi wrote on X that India supports peace and de-escalation. In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of keeping the waterway open. “Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world. We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability,” he said.

Notably, billionaire Elon Musk also joined the call,  The New York Times reported. It is unusual for a private citizen to be part of a conversation between two heads of state, especially during a crisis. US officials confirmed his presence. However, neither India nor the United States mentioned him in their official statements. It is not clear why he was included or whether he spoke.

The White House praised the call between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Iran crisis, even as it did not confirm reports that Elon Musk joined the conversation. 

“President Trump has a great relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and this was a productive conversation,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told IANS.

She was responding to a question about a news report that Musk joined the call between the two leaders. The White House did not confirm or deny the New York Times report.

Musk had earlier worked in the Trump administration. He later fell out with Trump and left his government role. His presence on the call suggests their relationship may have improved. Musk also has business interests linked to Middle Eastern funds and is seeking more opportunities in India.

The war in West Asia, which began on February 28, shows no signs of slowing down and is quickly turning from a military standoff into a possible global energy crisis. Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global oil flows, poses a serious risk to energy supply chains around the world.

The United States has been working to gather support from allied countries to keep the strait open after Tehran closed the narrow passage following the start of the war involving the U.S. and Israel. However, India has not joined the U.S.-led naval coalition, saying it is closely watching developments while continuing to push for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict.

Trump has announced a 10-day pause on possible strikes against Iranian energy sites, setting a new deadline of April 6, 2026. Reports also suggest that Vice President JD Vance may travel to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials.

On the ground, the conflict is growing. More than one million Iranians have reportedly volunteered to fight, with many joining groups such as the Basij and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The United States has sent 1,500 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the region, along with Marines and other forces already stationed there. The Pentagon is also considering sending up to 10,000 more troops as part of plans for possible rapid-response or ground operations.

(With IANS inputs)