External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to X social media on Friday to say that he had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, even as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues into its second week.
“Had another conversation with Iranian FM @araghchi yesterday evening. Discussed bilateral issues as well as BRICS issues,” Jaishankar wrote on X on Friday.
This is the fourth time Jaishankar has held talks with Araghchi after Iran closed the key Strait of Hormuz, cutting off oil and fuel supplies to several countries.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that “the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Minister of Iran have held three talks in recent days”.
“The latter discussed issues related to shipping safety and energy security of India. Other than that, it would be premature for me to say anything,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press conference on Thursday.
Jaishankar had spoken to Araghchi three times before — on February 28 (when Israel and the US first attacked Iran), then on March 5-6, and later on March 10 and 13.
Iran’s foreign ministry said: “Araghchi briefed the Indian minister on the latest situation arising from the acts of aggression and atrocities committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, as well as the implications for regional and global stability and security. He emphasized the firm determination of the Iranian government, nation and armed forces to exercise their legitimate right to self-defense against the aggressor.”
“The Iranian foreign minister emphasized that it is necessary for regional and international bodies and organizations to condemn military aggression against Iran. Araghçi emphasized the importance and position of BRICS as a forum for the development of multilateral cooperation and considered it necessary for this institution to play a constructive role in the current situation in promoting regional and global stability and security,” he added.
The instability of the West Asian region has intensified
Coordinated US-Israeli military actions that led to the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28 intensified regional instability. In response, Iran attacked American and Israeli targets across various Gulf countries, damaging vital sea lanes and shaking international energy markets.
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As the conflict reaches its 14th day, hostilities remain, along with Iranian threats to block the Strait of Hormuz, threatening the energy security of many global economies.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force announced on Friday the completion of large-scale airstrikes targeting the Iranian regime’s infrastructure.
“In Tehran, Shiraz and Ahvaz Simultaneously: Air Force Completes Waves of Strikes Targeting Iran’s Terrorist Regime Infrastructure The Air Force, led by the Military Intelligence, completed several waves of strikes against Iranian terrorist regime infrastructure in Tehran, Shiraz and Ahvaz simultaneously over the past day. In Shiraz, southern Iran, the regime intended to store spheres for the underground production of missiles and Iranian missiles. In Tehran, there was hit sites and a central air defense base in the Iranian terrorist regime,” the IAF said.
“In addition, numerous sites used for the production of various weapons, air defense systems and ballistic missile components were hit. Simultaneously in Ahvaz, western Iran: the headquarters of various regime authorities were hit. The activities of Iranian terrorist regime soldiers were identified in the affected headquarters, and dozens of soldiers from them were operating to advance and carry out state terrorist attacks against the lands of Israel. deepening the damage to the nuclear fields of the Iranian terrorist regime and its foundations,” he added.
