Iran's attack on Israel: India presses for immediate de-escalation, return to path of diplomacy

Iran's attack on Israel: India presses for immediate de-escalation, return to path of diplomacy

After Iran launched its first direct attack on Israel by firing hundreds of drones and missiles triggering spectre of a wider conflict, India on Sunday said it is seriously concerned over the escalating hostilities between the two sides and called for immediate halt to violence and return to the path of diplomacy.

Iran carried out the attack on Israel in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus on April 1 that killed seven Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards including two generals.

In its reaction, India called for immediate de-escalation of the situation and said that its embassies in the region are in close touch with the Indian community in the region.

Iran's unprecedented attacks drew international condemnation and anguish with many global leaders calling for restraint by both Iran and Israel.

''We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region,'' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

''We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy,'' it said.

Later, in a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he spoke to his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday 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,'' he said, ading that India and Iran have agreed to ''remain in touch''.

The MEA said India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia.

''We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our Embassies in the region are in close touch with the Indian community,'' it said in a statement.

''It is vital that security and stability are maintained in the region,'' it added.

Hours after Iran's attack on Israel, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said Tehran has no intention of continuing the operation against Israel, and the operation has been concluded, according to Iranian news agency IRNA.

On Saturday, the Iranian military seized a cargo ship with Israeli links near the Strait of Hormuz. The ship has 17 Indian crew members.

India is in touch with Iran to secure the release of Indians onboard the Portuguese-flagged vessel 'MSC Aries'.

With escalation of tensions in West Asia, India on Friday asked its citizens not to travel to Iran and Israel.

It is learnt that New Delhi is looking at various contingencies including possible evacuation of the Indians from the two countries if the overall situation deteriorates.

At present, around 4,000 Indians are residing in Iran while the number in Israel is nearly 18,500, according to official estimates.

Following Iran's attack, the Israeli military said it and its allies have intercepted the majority of more than 300 drones and missiles fired by Iran.

US President Joe Biden said the American military helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles launched by Iran.

''Earlier today, Iran and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq, launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,'' he said in a statement.

''At my direction, to support the defence of Israel, the US military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week,'' Biden said.

''Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,'' he said.

The US president also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed Washington's ''ironclad'' commitment to the security of Israel.

''Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack. My team will engage with their counterparts across the region,'' Biden said.

''And we will stay in close touch with Israel's leaders. And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people,'' he said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also strongly condemned Iran's attack on Israel.

''I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran,'' he said.

Guterres also called for an immediate cessation of the hostilities.

''I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,'' he said.

On Saturday, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar spoke to his British counterpart David Cameron and discussed the emerging situation in West Asia.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)