As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reaffirmed that the government is closely monitoring developments and remains in constant contact with Indian citizens in Iran.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are monitoring the situation and staying in constant touch with the Indian community living there (in Iran).
Meanwhile, Poland issued a strong warning to its citizens. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday: “Everyone who is still in Iran must leave immediately and under no circumstances should anyone plan to travel to that country. The possibility of an escalated conflict is very real and evacuation may not be possible in a few, a dozen or a few dozen hours.”
Trump has set a 10-15 day deadline for a deal with Iran
US President Donald Trump has repeated threats of military action if Iran does not reach a deal on its nuclear program. On Thursday, he said: “Either we get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them … 10-15 days would be enough time, almost the maximum.”
Trump stressed the need for Iran to stop its destabilizing activities in the region, adding: “They can’t continue to threaten the stability of the entire region. And they have to make a deal. Or if they don’t, bad things will happen.”
The US military presence in the Middle East is growing
The Pentagon has deployed the largest force of warships and aircraft to the region in decades. These include the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford escorted by destroyers and hundreds of fighter jets including F-35s, F-22s, F-16s and F-15s.
Iran holds military exercises with Russia
Iran has been conducting annual naval exercises with Russia in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, which have included live-fire exercises. Iran also issued a missile warning to pilots in the region.
Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, stressed in the letter that while Iran “does not seek tension or war and will not start a war,” it “will respond decisively and proportionately to any U.S. aggression.” He added: “All bases, facilities and assets of hostile forces in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Iran’s defensive response.”
Regional allies are preparing for possible escalation
Israel prepares for potential Iranian missile attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday: “We are ready for any scenario. If Iran attacks Israel, it will experience a response that they cannot even imagine.”
European countries are also taking preliminary measures. Germany moved “a mid-double-digit number of non-critical personnel” from a base in northern Iraq, while Poland urged citizens to leave Iran immediately.
Diplomatic negotiations remain deadlocked
Despite ongoing indirect talks in Geneva, little progress has been made. Iranian officials have resisted U.S. and Israeli demands to limit missile development or cut ties with proxy groups, insisting that the talks focus solely on the nuclear program.
Trump commented on the difficulty of negotiations, saying: “Over the years it has become clear that it is not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran, and we have to make a meaningful deal. Otherwise, bad things happen.”
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