Jaishankar Holds Talks With Iranian Foreign Minister as Middle East Tensions Rise

New Delhi | 5 March 2026 Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday. Sharing the update on social media, Jaishankar wrote, "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this afternoon." The discussion took place at a time when the region is facing a serious crisis following recent military developments. India also expressed condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28. Representing the Government of India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book. During the visit, he also held a brief interaction with Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali. Earlier this week, India called for calm and urged all sides to resolve the situation through talks. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “In this background, India strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy. We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict. Already, many lives have been regrettably lost, and we express our grief in that regard.” The government stressed that peace in the region is important for global stability. India is closely watching the situation because nearly 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region. The government said their safety remains a top priority and warned that any disruption in trade or energy supply could affect the Indian economy. The statement also noted rising concerns over attacks on merchant ships, adding, “Already, some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of such attacks in the last few Jaishankar Holds Talks With Iranian Foreign Minister as Middle East Tensions Rise Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday. Sharing the update on social media, Jaishankar wrote, "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this afternoon." The discussion took place at a time when the region is facing a serious crisis following recent military developments. India also expressed condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28. Representing the Government of India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book. During the visit, he also held a brief interaction with Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali. Earlier this week, India called for calm and urged all sides to resolve the situation through talks. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “In this background, India strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy. We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict. Already, many lives have been regrettably lost, and we express our grief in that regard.” The government stressed that peace in the region is important for global stability. India is closely watching the situation because nearly 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region. The government said their safety remains a top priority and warned that any disruption in trade or energy supply could affect the Indian economy. The statement also noted rising concerns over attacks on merchant ships, adding, “Already, some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of such attacks in the last few days.”