Iran proposes to form regional security structure, reiterates conditions to end war
Tehran, March 22
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian proposed to form a security structure comprising regional countries to ensure peace, security and stability in West Asia without foreign interference, reiterating conditions to end the ongoing war.
He made the remarks in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which the two sides discussed bilateral ties as well as the latest regional and international developments in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks against Iran, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Iran's official news agency IRNA.
Pezeshkian said that Iran's preconditions for ending the war are the immediate cessation of the US and Israeli "aggressions" and provision of guarantees that such attacks will not be repeated in the future, said the report.
He strongly condemned the United States and Israel for killing Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, high-ranking military commanders and civilians, as well as targeting the country's public infrastructure.
Pezeshkian rejected claims by US President Donald Trump, who has said the war is aimed at preventing the country from developing nuclear weapons, stressing that Iran's former leader was strongly opposed to making atomic arms and had issued the necessary decrees to prevent any attempt to that end.
For his part, PM Modi voiced "deep concern" over the escalation of regional tensions, strongly condemned any attack on regional energy infrastructures, and urged ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz and freedom of navigation in the Gulf.
On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the Middle East.
— IANS
Reader Comments
PM Modi's focus on the Strait of Hormuz and energy infrastructure is the right diplomatic move. India must balance its ties with Iran, Israel, and the US. A delicate but necessary walk.
The situation is so volatile. Innocent civilians are suffering on all sides. While Iran's proposal for a regional solution is interesting, the deep mistrust between the nations involved makes it seem like a pipe dream. Hope for peace. 🙏
Iran's conditions sound reasonable from their perspective, but will the US and Israel ever agree to such guarantees? Unlikely. This feels like a prolonged conflict. India's priority should be to secure our oil imports and bring back our students if needed.
Respectfully, while India must engage with all sides, we should be wary of being drawn into any security structure that could antagonize other partners. Our foreign policy of strategic autonomy is being tested here. The government needs to tread very carefully.
The human cost is heartbreaking. So many lives lost. Beyond geopolitics, there are families grieving. India has always stood for peaceful resolution. Hope our diplomacy can play some role, however small, in de-escalation.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.