NEW DELHI: External affairs minister Dr S
Jaishankar
on Sunday said that he spoke to his Iranian counterpart amid escalating violence in the Middle East after
Iran
launched an extensive assault with hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
Jaishankar in a tweet said that he took up the issue of 17 Indian crew members of cargo ship MSC Aries with Iran foriegn minister H Amirabdollahian.
“Spoke to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran H.Amirabdollahian this evening. Took up the
release
of 17 Indian crew members of MSC Aries. Discussed the current situation in the region. Stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy,” Jaishankar wrote on X.
On Saturday, 17 Indians among the 25-member crew of MSC Aries was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized the Israeli-linked cargo ship, days after Tehran said it could close the crucial shipping route and warned it would retaliate for an Israeli strike on its Syria consulate.
Jaishankar also spoke to the Israeli foreign minister to discuss the situation in the region and said, “Just concluded a conversation with Israel FM Israel Katz. Shared our concern at the developments yesterday. Discussed the larger regional situation. Agreed to stay in touch.”
Meanwhile, in response to the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued a statement expressing serious concern over the potential threat to regional peace and security. “We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region,” the MEA said in the statement.
The ministry called for an immediate de-escalation of the situation, emphasizing the importance of exercising restraint and refraining from further violence. Stressing the need for diplomacy to prevail, India urged both parties to step back from confrontation and seek peaceful resolutions to their differences.
Iran’s Countdown to Chaos: Drones and Cruise Missiles take Position, targeting Israel and ready to strike!