India Monitoring Citizens in Iran Amid US-Iran Tensions, Says MEA

India's Ministry of External Affairs stated it is closely monitoring the situation concerning its citizens in Iran amidst escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. The Iranian envoy to the UN warned of a decisive response to any US military aggression in a letter to the Security Council. The envoy emphasized that while Iran does not seek war, it would consider all US assets in the region as legitimate targets if attacked. The tensions are fueled by US military movements and specific threats, including the potential use of an airfield in the Indian Ocean.

Key Points: India Monitoring Indians in Iran Amid US-Iran Escalation

  • India monitoring citizens in Iran
  • Iran warns of decisive response to US
  • Tensions over US military build-up
  • Iranian envoy writes to UN Security Council
2 min read

"Keeping an eye on situation in Iran," MEA Spox says amid escalation with US

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says India is closely watching the situation and is in touch with its community in Iran as tensions rise.

"We are keeping an eye on the situation and staying in constant touch with the Indian community living there. - Randhir Jaiswal"

New Delhi, February 20

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, on Friday said that India is keeping an eye on Indians in Iran amid escalation with the US.

Addressing the weekly press briefing, Jaiswal said, "We are keeping an eye on the situation and staying in constant touch with the Indian community living there (in Iran)."

Iran's envoy to the United Nations has said that Tehran will respond "decisively" to any "military aggression" by the United States in a letter urging the UN Security Council to condemn recent threats from US President Donald Trump, Al Jaeera reported.

Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani had yesterday called on members of the council and UN chief Antonio Guterres to act, noting in particular Trump's recent specific threat to use an airfield located in the Indian Ocean in the Chagos Islands, in a potential attack on Iran.

"Given the volatile situation in the region and the persistent movement and build-up of military equipment and assets by the United States, such a belligerent statement by the President of the United States must not be treated as mere rhetoric," Iravani wrote as reported by Al Jazeera.

The Iranian envoy emphasised that his country "neither seeks tension nor war and will not initiate any war". But, he said that if Iran were attacked, it would consider "all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force" in the region as "legitimate targets".

"Given the volatile situation in the region and the persistent movement and build-up of military equipment and assets by the United States, such a belligerent statement by the President of the United States must not be treated as mere rhetoric," Iravani wrote.

As per Al Jazeera, the Iranian envoy emphasised that his country "neither seeks tension nor war and will not initiate any war".

But, he said that if Iran were attacked, it would consider "all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force" in the region as "legitimate targets".

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is worrying. Any conflict in the region directly impacts global oil prices and our economy. India needs to maintain strong diplomatic channels with both sides. 🇮🇳
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Vikram M
The mention of the Chagos Islands is interesting. That's a sensitive issue. India must walk a very careful line here - our strategic partnerships with the US and our energy needs from Iran are both crucial.
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Priya S
While I appreciate the MEA's statement, I wish it was a bit more substantive. "Keeping an eye" sounds reactive. Can we have a clearer plan for evacuation if things go south? Just a thought.
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Rohit P
Hope our government is also talking to the US privately. We cannot afford another war in our neighbourhood. Stability in West Asia is directly linked to our national security.
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Karthik V
This is a classic diplomatic tightrope. Iran is an important partner for Chabahar port and energy. The US is a major strategic ally. India's neutral-yet-engaged stance is the only way. Jai Hind.

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