PM expresses concern at escalation of hostilities in phone call with Iran President
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a social media post that he and Pezeshkian had a detailed discussion on the current situation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed deep concern at the escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel and called for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability during a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday.
Pezeshkian called Modi hours after the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites - Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan - with US President Donald Trump describing the strikes as a “spectacular military success” and warning against Iranian retaliation. The US strikes came as the Iran-Israel conflict entered its tenth day.
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Modi said in a social media post that he and Pezeshkian had a detailed discussion on the current situation. “Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations. Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability,” he said.
People familiar with the matter said the Iranian side thanked India for its call for de-escalation and said New Delhi’s role is important for restoring regional peace and stability.
A readout from the Indian side said Pezeshkian shared his perspective on the situation, especially the Iran-Israel conflict. Modi said India is “on the side of peace and humanity”, and emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation. Modi also reiterated India’s support for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability, the readout said.
Read: Satellite images show trail of destruction at Iran's Fordo nuclear site after US strike
Modi also thanked Pezeshkian for Iran’s support for the safe repatriation of Indian nationals. The two leaders reiterated their shared commitment to work for strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, science and technology and people-to-people ties and agreed to remain in touch.
India has sought to adopt a balanced position in view of its strategic ties with both Iran and Israel. An Indian state-run firm operates a terminal at Iran’s Chabahar port, which has a key place in New Delhi’s connectivity plans in the region. On the other hand, Israel is an important supplier of military equipment and technology.
The US launched its B-2 bombers on an 18-hour flight to attack the Iranian nuclear facilities, and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth the operation was “not about regime change”. Hegseth hoped Iran would return to negotiations where “they know precisely what steps they can take” to meet US demands.
The US and Iran had been engaged in nuclear talks before Israel launched surprise air strikes on Iran that were backed by the US administration. Sunday’s attacks by the US effectively brought it into the conflict and several West Asian countries, home to multiple American military bases, were on high alert as the bombardment triggered fears of a wider regional war.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of betraying diplomacy by joining Israel’s air strikes on his country. Araghchi said the US committed a “grave violation” of the UN Charter, international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by attacking Iran's "peaceful nuclear installations".
Iran, Araghchi said, is a “committed member” of the NPT but the treaty “had failed to protect” the country. “Why a country like Iran or other countries who are interested in having peaceful nuclear energy should rely on NPT for their peaceful activities?” he said.
The Iranian embassy in New Delhi condemned the “premeditated and unprovoked aerial attacks” by the US on the “safeguarded Iranian nuclear facilities” of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, which it said were fully compliant with international safeguards and under monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The attacks occurred while Israel was already engaged in indiscriminate bombardment of Iranian infrastructure, residential areas and healthcare facilities since June 13, the embassy said.
Also read: Iran President says US entered conflict after witnessing ‘Israel’s impotence’
Besides India, several countries and the 27-member European Union (EU) called for restraint. “I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
The UK too appealed for calm and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with several leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and would hold discussions with European and regional leaders, the French presidency said.
China strongly condemned the US attacks on Iran and the bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA, saying these actions violated the UN Charter and international law and exacerbated tensions in the Middle East. “China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said.
