On Saturday, India expressed alarm regarding the escalating tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian military sites. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement emphasizing their deep concern over the evolving situation and its implications for regional and global peace and stability. India called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue and diplomacy.
The statement highlighted that ongoing hostilities benefit no one, particularly as innocent hostages and civilian populations continue to suffer. It noted that Indian diplomatic missions in the region are actively engaging with the Indian community amid the turmoil.
Israeli forces reportedly launched coordinated strikes on Iran, targeting missile factories and military installations before dawn. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that multiple airwaves were involved in the attacks. Iranian officials claimed that their air defenses successfully intercepted the majority of the strikes, although two soldiers were killed, and some sites sustained limited damage.
Tehran’s foreign ministry acknowledged its right to self-defense while also expressing a commitment to regional peace and security, a more tempered stance compared to previous responses. According to reports, high-level meetings in Iran have been convened to discuss the nation’s potential response to the strikes, with officials noting that the damage inflicted was “very minimal.”
In a statement, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari remarked that Iran had previously attacked Israel twice, endangering civilian lives, and had faced consequences for those actions.
The situation remains tense as both nations navigate the complexities of their ongoing conflict.
