Newsgate Press Network

With the growing tension in the middle east refusing to die down, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr Jaishankar spoke to his counterparts from Iran and Israel.

News about EAM’s telephonic talk was released via social media channel X by Jaishankar himself.

The first call was made to his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of the ship, MSC Aries, seized by the Gulf nation.
It may be recalled that Iran has seized a Israel-linked cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ on Saturday the 13th of April 2024 near the Strait of Hormuz .

Later in the day it was revealed that counsellor access by Indian diplomats to trapped Indian sailors have been arranged.

The second call was made to Jaishankar’s Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz,.

The EAM was reported to have shared India’s concern at the larger regional situation and also agreed to stay in touch.
“Just concluded a conversation with Israel FM @Israel_katz. Shared our concern at the developments yesterday. Discussed the larger regional situation. Agreed to stay in touch,” said EAM Jaishankar in a post on X.

Iran in retaliation to April first attack allegedly by Israel on its consulate Syria  – carried out the first-evert direct attack on Israel.

On Saturday night Iran had fired a barrage of 300 attack drones and missiles from its territory aimed at Israel.

Various reports had suggested that almost 99 percent of these missiles and drones were shot down by Israeli anti-missile batteries.

In his conversation with the Iranian foreign minister EAM –  “Stressed the importance of avoiding escalation, exercising restraint and returning to diplomacy and agreed to remain in touch”