Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has thanked India for standing by Tehran during its ongoing conflict with the US, telling Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the two countries share deep historical ties that could be used to expand cooperation, even as Iran continues to face pressure from the United States and Israel.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and the Shanghai Plus meeting in Kyrgyzstan. Unfortunately, instead of making use of diplomatic mechanisms, the Americans have chosen the path of war, insecurity and imposing their will through force.
The Iranian President asked PM Modi to use India’s wide-ranging contacts to help steer other parties away from conflict, according to a statement from Iran. He said, “We believe that the solution to the issues we face lies in dialogue and cooperation, and that all available capacities must be mobilised to prevent the spread of insecurity and conflict. Criticising Washington’s handling of the recent war, Pezeshkian said, “From the very beginning of our administration, our efforts have been focused on ensuring peace and security and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiations. PM Modi, in response, said he was glad to meet Pezeshkian and that India had tried to maintain its cooperation and communication with Iran through a difficult recent period. He said, “During the difficult period we have recently experienced, we sought to maintain and preserve our cooperation and communications with Iran.”
Tehran, in response, launched missile strikes on a US military base in Jordan. I am confident that your efforts will ultimately lead to positive results. I agree with you that there are those who see their interests in war, but we must intensify our efforts to establish peace. My belief and conviction is that, ultimately, peace and security will prevail” The meeting between PM Modi and the Iranian President comes a day after the US struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
This was the first publicly acknowledged US strike on Iranian territory since 29 July.
PM Modi praised Pezeshkian’s outlook on peace, saying, “From what I have come to know of your personality, you are a peace-loving person, and I believe that you can play an effective role in advancing the cause of peace, according to the Iranian statement. CENTCOM said the strikes targeted forces preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the strait. Jordanian authorities said they intercepted eight missiles.
