New Delhi: India on Saturday expressed deep concern over the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region.
In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said: “We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians. Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected.”
“Our Missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant, stay in contact with the Missions, and follow local security guidance,” the ministry added.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the ongoing military actions by the US and Israel and Iran’s retaliatory strikes.
In his statement, Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation, warning that failing to do so could lead to a wider regional conflict with serious consequences for civilians and regional stability. He strongly encouraged all parties to return to the negotiating table, theguardian.com reported.
Guterres reiterated that peaceful settlements, in line with international law and the UN Charter, remain the only viable path to resolve disputes, emphasizing that the charter provides the foundation for maintaining international peace and security.
Explosions rocked the Iranian capital, Tehran, with satellite imagery showing extensive damage at the secure compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though his location remains unclear.
Israel stated that its strikes targeted Iranian regime leaders and military commanders, including Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iranian state media reported that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been moved to a secure location, while Pezeshkian was safe.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who leads the nuclear talks for Tehran, warned that Iran’s Army would teach aggressors the lesson they deserved.
Further explosions were reported in Gulf nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, all hosting US military bases. UAE officials confirmed that one person in Abu Dhabi was killed by shrapnel from an Iranian missile.
US President Donald Trump described the campaign as massive and ongoing, calling on the Iranian people to take over their government. He said the US would destroy Iran’s missile industry and claimed that Tehran had refused a deal that could have averted war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the American-Israeli attack could create conditions for the Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.
World leaders have urged all sides to de-escalate. The UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s retaliatory attacks on neighbouring countries, but they stopped short of fully endorsing the US-Israeli strikes.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that British planes are operating in the Middle East as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect British people, interests, and allies.
