Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed India’s serious concern over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, following a phone call from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, PM Modi emphasized the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. He made it clear that India is monitoring the situation closely and has urged both countries to avoid further escalation.
This comes in the backdrop of Israel’s recent airstrikes targeting critical Iranian infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and the elimination of senior military commanders. The operation, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion", is reportedly Israel’s most extensive military action against Iran since the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. According to Iran's Nournews, the attacks have resulted in 78 deaths in Tehran, although these figures remain unverified internationally.
PM Netanyahu, in a strong statement, said the attacks had struck at the “heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program” and were necessary to stop Iran from developing atomic weapons. He also reached out to other global leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in a broader diplomatic push for support.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, though not yet in direct contact with Netanyahu, warned Iran sternly, suggesting that Israel is equipped with some of the world’s most lethal weapons and that Iran should seek a diplomatic solution.
India’s response remains measured but firm, calling for de-escalation and diplomatic engagement. This aligns with New Delhi’s traditional stance of strategic neutrality and its desire to maintain balanced ties with both Israel and Iran, nations that are important to India for different strategic and energy-related reasons.
