The foreign ministers of Iran and India have held high-level talks by telephone, discussing bilateral ties as well as a range of regional and international issues, against the backdrop of continuing tensions in the Middle East.

According to Iran’s foreign ministry, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s strong criticism of the U.S., accusing them of pursuing what he described as a “provocative” approach towards Iran.

Araghchi said U.S. policies amounted to interference in Iran’s internal affairs and were contributing to instability at both the regional and international levels.

He also stressed that Iran rejected external pressure and emphasised the country’s determination to defend its sovereignty and national interests.

During the call, the Iranian foreign minister highlighted the importance Tehran attaches to its relationship with India. He referred to the long-standing historical and cultural links between the two countries and said Iran was interested in strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, energy and regional connectivity.

India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, underlined the country’s interest in further developing bilateral relations with Iran. He said India valued dialogue and engagement as essential tools for managing differences and addressing shared challenges.

Jaishankar also emphasised the importance of promoting regional stability and preventing any escalation of tensions. He warned that rising conflict in the region could have serious consequences, not only for regional security but also for the global economy, particularly in relation to energy markets and trade routes.

• Iran reopens airspace after temporary closure forced flights to reroute

In recent days, India has urged all its nationals in Iran to leave due to the ongoing security crackdown on nationwide protests.

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