External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday said he spoke with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over the phone and discussed the ongoing tensions in the region. He said India expressed concern over the situation and urged all sides to avoid attacks on commercial ships and sailors.
Jaishankar Speaks To Iran FM Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Sharing details of the conversation on X, Jaishankar said India called for avoiding attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers under all circumstances. He also said India condemns any such attack by any party. "Had a tele-conversation with FM @araghchi of Iran this evening. Conveyed our deep concerns at the ongoing hostilities in the region," the minsiter wrote on X.
Jaishankar further said he was briefed on Iran's perspective regarding the current developments and the discussions currently underway. He reiterated that India continues to support dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward to address the situation. "Was apprised of Iran’s perspective of current developments and discussions underway. India is always supportive of dialogue and diplomacy," he added.
IRGC Says It Hit Two Tankers
The conversation between the two leaders comes amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the United States, including recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier in the day, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that its naval forces struck and stopped two oil tankers in the Strait, while four other tankers turned back after receiving warnings from Iranian forces.
In a statement, the IRGC stated that the incident took place early Friday when the two tankers were sailing through what it called an "undeclared route" under the protection of US air escorts and ignored repeated warnings issued by Tehran.
Iran Attacks US Air Base In Kuwait
The Iranian army also carried out drone strikes on United States strategic centres at Kuwait's Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base as part of the 27th phase of Operation Lightning. According to a statement aired by state broadcaster IRIB, the attack was launched in response to recent US military actions, including strike on a residential home on Qeshm Island.
The strikes reportedly targeted fighter jet areas, satellite communication systems, and equipment warehouses at a US-operated base in Kuwait. The Army Public Relations statement described the base as an important centre for US air support, surveillance and military operations.