Jaishankar speaks with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi for 4th time amid Strait of Hormuz closure

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to X social media on Friday to inform that he spoke with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, even as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues for the second week.

“Had another conversation with Iranian FM@araghchi yesterday night. Discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS related issues,” Jaishankar posted on X on Friday.

This is the fourth time Jaishankar held conversation with Araghchi in the wake of Iran closing the crucial Strait of Hormuz, hampering shipments of oil and fuel to several countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs had confirmed on Thursday that “External Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister of Iran have had three conversations in the recent days.”

“The last one discussed issues pertaining to safety of shipping and India's energy security. Beyond that, it would be premature for me to say anything,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said during a press conference on Thursday.

Jaishankar spoke with Araghchi thrice earlier — on February 28 (when Israel and the US attacked Iran for the first time), then on March 5-6, and later on March 10 and 13th.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said: “Araghchi briefed the Indian minister on the latest situation resulting from the acts of aggression and atrocities committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, as well as the consequences for regional and global stability and security. He emphasized the firm resolve of the Iranian government, nation, and armed forces to exercise their legitimate right to self-defense against the aggressors.”

“The Iranian Foreign Minister stressed the necessity for regional and international bodies and organizations to condemn the military aggression against Iran. Highlighting the importance and position of BRICS as a forum for developing multilateral cooperation, Araghchi deemed it essential for the institution to play a constructive role at the current juncture in supporting regional and global stability and security,” it added.

West Asia Region Instability Intensified

Coordinated US-Israeli military actions, which led to the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, have intensified regional instability. In response, Iran struck American and Israeli targets across various Gulf nations, damaging vital maritime routes and shaking international energy markets.

As the conflict reaches its 14th day, hostilities persist alongside Iranian threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, jeopardizing the energy security of numerous global economies.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force on Friday announced the completion of extensive airstrikes aimed at the Iranian regime’s infrastructure.

"In Tehran, Shiraz, and Ahvaz simultaneously: The Air Force completed waves of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime The Air Force, under the direction of Military Intelligence, completed several waves of strikes over the past day targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in Tehran, Shiraz, and Ahvaz simultaneously. In Shiraz in southern Iran: An underground site used by the Iranian terror regime for the production and storage of ballistic missiles intended for launch toward the State of Israel was struck. In Tehran: Sites and a central base of the air defence array in the Iranian terror regime were struck," the IAF said.

"In addition, numerous sites used for the production of various combat means, air defence systems, and components of ballistic missiles were struck. Simultaneously, in Ahvaz in western Iran: Headquarters of various regime bodies were struck. Activity by soldiers of the Iranian terror regime was identified in the struck headquarters, and dozens of soldiers operated from them to advance and carry out terror attacks against the State of Israel and countries in the region. The completed strikes are part of the phase of deepening the damage to the core arrays of the Iranian terror regime and its foundations," it added.