New Delhi: In their first phone call since the ceasefire was announced in the Iran war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the importance of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran said the Indian leader had also invited President Masoud Pezeshkian to attend this year’s BRICS Leaders’ Summit.In a post on X, Modi said he had spoken with Pezeshkian on “the recent developments in West Asia”, welcomed “the progress made in the negotiations” and expressed hope that “continued efforts will lead to lasting peace in the region”. He also reiterated “the importance of freedom of navigation in the Hormuz Strait for India and the World”.Spoke with the President of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, on the recent developments in West Asia. Welcomed the progress made in the negotiations and expressed hope that continued efforts will lead to lasting peace in the region. Reiterated the importance of freedom of navigation…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2026Modi’s renewed emphasis on the Strait of Hormuz came as the strategic waterway has emerged as one of the principal sticking points in the US-Iran negotiations now underway in Doha.The interim understanding reached earlier this month was intended to restore commercial navigation through the strategic waterway, but disagreements over how the strait should operate after the 60-day transition have quickly resurfaced. Fresh incidents involving commercial shipping over the weekend underscored that the situation remains fragile.Iran has insisted that the waterway cannot simply return to its pre-war arrangements and, together with Oman, is discussing a new framework for regulating passage, which Washington opposes.The Iranian government’s account of the conversation was much more expansive than Modi’s public statement.According to Tehran, Modi “formally invited the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to attend the upcoming BRICS Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by India” and expressed hope the meeting would “contribute to further strengthening multilateral cooperation among the member countries”. Modi’s post made no mention of the invitation.The invitation, while a formality, comes even as Iran repeatedly urged India, as the current BRICS chair, to mobilise the grouping over the conflict.During two earlier conversations with Modi after the outbreak of the war, Pezeshkian had appealed for BRICS to play what he described as an “independent role” in halting attacks on Iran and safeguarding regional peace. India, however, acknowledged that the expanded grouping had struggled to forge a common position because several of its members were directly involved in the conflict.Iran and the United Arab Emirates, both admitted to BRICS last year, found themselves on opposing sides of the regional war, while other members adopted differing positions. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said in March that “several members of BRICS are involved” in the conflict, making it difficult to bridge those differences.At the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi in May, disagreements between Tehran and Abu Dhabi over the war prevented the adoption of a joint declaration, forcing India to issue a chair’s statement instead. Those differences resurfaced last week at the BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting, where Iran again pressed the grouping to recognise what it described as “state terrorism” and accused the UAE of supporting military operations against it.The Iranian readout also said Modi conveyed condolences “on behalf of the Government and people of India” over the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials and citizens during the recent war, and informed Pezeshkian that India would send “a special delegation” to the funeral ceremonies.Sources had confirmed earlier that Bihar governor Lieutenant General (retired) Syed Ata Hasnain and minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita would represent India at the funeral after Modi decided not to attend despite receiving an invitation from Tehran. The Indian government has yet to formally announce the delegation. However, Modi’s post on X made no reference to the delegation or the condolences.The Iranian account is also significant because it is the first official indication that Modi personally conveyed condolences over Khamenei’s death. India did not issue a formal public condolence statement after the Iranian leader was killed in the opening strikes of the war, drawing criticism from opposition parties.Four days later, foreign secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian embassy in New Delhi to sign the condolence book on behalf of the government and people of India. In April, Margherita represented the government at the chehelum ceremony organised by the Iranian embassy, signalling a gradual evolution in New Delhi’s public response.According to the Iranian readout, Pezeshkian congratulated India on successfully hosting the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting and said he hoped cooperation between the two countries within multilateral frameworks such as BRICS would continue to expand.Pezeshkian’s emphasis on the BRICS energy meeting likely reflects the renewed focus on hydrocarbons in the bilateral relationship following the temporary US sanctions waiver. On the sidelines of the meeting in Gurugram last week, Iranian petroleum minister Mohsen Paknejad held talks with petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri on expanding cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector, while publicly signalling Tehran’s readiness to deepen energy engagement with India.The Iranian president also said relations between the two countries were founded on “a long-standing historical legacy and mutual respect” and that there was “tremendous potential” to expand cooperation in political, economic, commercial, transit and international affairs.Referring to the agreement ending the hostilities, Pezeshkian said Iran “remains committed to its obligations” and hoped “the other side will also implement the terms of the agreement in good faith and with a sense of responsibility, so that the conditions for lasting peace, stability and security in the region may be established.”The Iranian readout further said Pezeshkian appreciated “the constructive positions adopted by the Government of India” and Modi’s “personal role in supporting peace, stability and regional cooperation.”