Jaishankar Speaks to Iran’s Araghchi, Condemns Attacks on Commercial Ships and Sailors

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, expressing India’s deep concern over.

The escalating hostilities in West Asia and urging all sides to refrain from targeting commercial shipping and civilian seafarers. In a post on X after the telephonic conversation, Jaishankar said India strongly condemned attacks on merchant vessels regardless of the perpetrator and reiterated New Delhi’s support for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way to resolve the crisis.

“Had a tele-conversation with FM Araghchi of Iran this evening. Conveyed our deep concerns at the ongoing hostilities in the region. Strongly urged that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided under any circumstance. India condemns any such attack by any party,” Jaishankar wrote.

He added that India continues to advocate diplomacy and peaceful engagement and noted that Araghchi had briefed him on Iran’s perspective regarding the evolving regional situation.

The conversation comes amid growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Gulf and surrounding waters, where recent missile and drone attacks have disrupted maritime traffic and heightened risks for civilian crews, including Indian seafarers.

The issue has assumed particular significance for India, which has a large number of nationals employed aboard merchant vessels operating in the region. New Delhi has repeatedly emphasised the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and ensure the security of international shipping lanes.

Jaishankar’s remarks also came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had intensified maritime security operations in the region amid escalating tensions.

According to CENTCOM, US forces have redirected dozens of commercial vessels and carried out boarding operations to protect maritime traffic and ensure compliance with security protocols.

The heightened security measures follow a fresh escalation between the United States and Iran after Washington launched retaliatory strikes on multiple Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in response to an attempted Iranian missile attack on US forces in Jordan.

As tensions continue to rise, India has maintained its call for restraint, urging all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilise the region or endanger civilian lives and global trade.