Tehran
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar over the phone on Friday, expressing appreciation for India's solidarity with Iran and its criticism of Israel's recent military actions.
According to a statement from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jaishankar conveyed condolences to the Iranian people following the Israeli strikes and emphasized the importance of international cooperation to reduce tensions. He also mentioned his recent discussions with his French counterpart to support diplomatic efforts.
During the call, Araghchi said that Iran had been engaged in talks with Oman and preparing for dialogue with the United States. However, he blamed the Israeli attacks—targeting Iranian officials, civilians, and scientists—for disrupting this diplomatic path.
The Indian Embassy in Iran also confirmed the conversation. In a post on X, it said that Jaishankar urged both sides to avoid further escalation and return to diplomacy quickly. He also conveyed India’s concerns about the deteriorating situation.
Earlier that day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched Operation Rising Lion, a large-scale military strike aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Netanyahu claimed that Iran had produced enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear weapons and accused Tehran of working toward weaponizing it soon.
He said the operation marked the beginning of a necessary campaign to eliminate what Israel views as a growing threat to its national survival. Netanyahu stated that the mission would continue until the danger is fully neutralized.