Elon Musk Participated In Trump-Modi Call On Iran Conflict: Report

Last Updated:March 28, 2026, 01:28 IST

Elon Musk joined the call between PM Modi and Trump on Tuesday on the Iran war, although it was unclear why he was on the call or whether he spoke.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File)

Tech billionaire Elon Musk participated in the phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, marking an unusual appearance by a private citizen on a call between two leaders during the West Asia conflictaccording to the New York Times.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said Trump spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the evolving situation in West Asia, with both leaders emphasising the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open amid escalating tensions in the region.

Musk also joined the call between PM Modi and Trump, two US officials told NYT, signalling that the world’s richest man had repaired his relationship with the US president after a bitter public fallout last year after the former’s departure from the government. It is unclear why Musk was on the call or whether he spoke.

American and Indian officials said the call between Trump and Modi focused on the escalating crisis in the Gulf, and in particular the Iranian military’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, which is critical for the shipping of oil and gas around the globe.

Confirming the conversation, Prime Minister Modi said the two leaders had a “useful exchange of views” and agreed on the need for peace and stability in the region. “Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia. India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest,” Modi said in a post.

ALSO READ: ‘Ensuring Hormuz Strait Remains Open Is Essential’: PM Modi Speaks With Trump On West Asia Situation

“Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world,” he further said, adding that both sides agreed to remain in touch regarding ongoing efforts towards peace and stability.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical waterway, is one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes, through which 20 per cent of global crude shipments pass. Any disruption in the region could have far-reaching consequences for energy markets and economies worldwide, including India.

Neither government mentioned the inclusion of Musk in the official readouts or interviews. After Trump’s election in 2024, Musk was tasked with overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which tried to slash federal operations and spending, fuelling tensions between Musk and other senior Trump administration officials.

However, Trump and Musk parted ways after a huge disagreements over the administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which focused on massive tax cuts, deregulation, and border security. The two leaders have attempted to repair relations since.

Musk’s participation, although rare for an individual with no government authority, comes as companies have taken on significant investment from sovereign wealth funds in countries in the Gulf region. He has also been seeking to expand his footprint in India, where regulatory approvals for ventures such as satellite internet services remain pending.

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