The government has formed an Inter-Ministerial Group led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to oversee developments linked to the Middle East conflict, according to sources. The group includes Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and other senior ministers.

In a related move, the Centre has reduced excise duties on fuel, cutting petrol duty to Rs 3 per litre and eliminating it for diesel. It has also set a windfall tax of Rs 21.5 per litre on diesel exports. Additionally, taxes on Aviation Turbine Fuel have been revised, introducing a duty of Rs 50 per litre, though exemptions lower the effective rate to Rs 29.5 per litre to support the aviation sector. Further duty adjustments have been made to help keep fuel prices stable.

These measures come amid a global energy crisis triggered by tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, along with Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for around 20 to 25 million barrels of oil and gas daily. Before the conflict, India sourced about 12 to 15 percent of its oil from this supply.

The Petroleum Ministry has assured that fuel supplies remain sufficient nationwide, with all retail outlets operating normally, and has advised against panic buying. The conflict in West Asia continues despite US President Donald Trump’s calls for peace. The Israel Defence Forces reported striking a major Iranian facility in Yazd used for missile and sea mine production, as well as targeting additional infrastructure in Tehran linked to weapons manufacturing, particularly ballistic missile sites.