Amid spiralling US-Iran tensions over the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and said India remained deeply concerned about the levels of tension in the region.
Later in the day, Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, where he highlighted India's stakes and concerns.
The External Affairs Minister also discussed the tense situation with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Alawi.
Speaking to Zarif, Jaishankar noted that developments have taken a "very serious turn".
"Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch," the External Affairs Minister tweeted.
Later, Jaishankar tweeted, "Discussed with FM Yusuf Alawi of Oman the tense situation in the region. Reaffirmed our shared interest in the stability and security of the Gulf. Appreciated his perspectives on the current situation."
The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi later released a statement calling on world nations to condemn the United States. In the press note, they called General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandes "prestigious national heroes" and champions of combating terrorism.
It added that Soleimani's presence in Iraq and Syria was in the capacity of a military advisor, on invite from the governments of both nations.
"Assasinating usch a notable figure is not only a blow to the internatinoal law and norms but it also serves as a step to support the reminiscent terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria," the statement read. It went on to ascertain the blame for this on the "terrorist US government" and said that Iran had been a victim of terrorism and foreign aggression. "The Islamic Republic of Iran considers safeguarding its national and security interest as a legitimate right and on the basis of its inevitable right to self defense, it shall take appropiate retaliatoryaction in the suitable time and place."
The statement went on to call for global condemnation of the US. "...To ensure the global peace and stability, all the governments of the region and the world are expected to condemn this terrorist act at the strongest possible terms."
Jaishankar's conversation with Zarif and Alawi comes days after Iran's top military commander Soleimani was killed in a US strike.
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the US has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran, which has vowed "severe revenge", carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of Soleimani.
Maj Gen Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran''s elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus was killed when a US drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq''s powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.
Trump justified the strike saying that Soleimani was planning an 'imminent' attack on US lives—a claim that is being challenged in some quarters.
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Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiralling tensions between Iran and the US.
Reacting to the killing of a top Iranian commander by the US, India had on Friday said the increase in tension had alarmed the world and asserted that peace, stability and security in the region is of utmost importance to it.
In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry had said India consistently advocated restraint and continued to do so and it was vital that the situation did not escalate further.
With inputs from PTI
