“Refrain From Violent Acts”: India Expresses “Great Concern” Amid Increasing Israel-Iran Tensions

Following an increase in tensions between Israel and Iran, India released a statement pleading with both nations to “return to the path of diplomacy.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran claimed to have fired many missiles and drones toward Israel on Saturday.

India expressed its “serious concern” over the incident and demanded a “call for immediate de-escalation” in an official statement.

“We take the danger to regional peace and security posed by the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran very seriously. The statement said, “We demand an urgent de-escalation, the use of prudence, a retreat from violence, and a return to the diplomatic route.

“We are keeping a careful eye on how things are changing. The Indian community in the area maintains constant contact with our embassies. Maintaining security and stability in the area is crucial,” it said.

Following the Security Cabinet and War Cabinet’s discussions, US President Joe Biden had a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli PM had earlier said, “I know that you, too, are level-headed citizens of Israel,” in an official statement. I implore you to adhere to the IDF Home Front Command’s instructions. With God’s assistance, we will stand as a team and defeat all of our adversaries.”

In retaliation for the bombing of Iran’s embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus earlier this month, Iran unleashed a volley of explosive drones and missiles right into Israeli territory.

Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, denounced Iran’s drone strikes on Israel on Saturday as a “serious escalation” and urged all parties to exercise caution in order to prevent a catastrophic regional conflict.

“I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said in a statement.

“The very real threat of a catastrophic escalation that affects the whole area genuinely worries me. I urge all sides to use extreme caution in order to prevent any action that can result in significant military conflicts in the Middle East on many fronts.”
Risks of a significant escalation in the area increased after Iran’s unprecedented assault on Israel with drones and missiles.

Iran said in a statement that the operation was carried out in self-defense against “aggression” by the Israeli military. It said that the move was a “legitimate” defensive reaction to the Damascus attack, which Israel has denied carrying out, and implied that it was a warning. It also advised the US to avoid becoming involved in the fighting.

“On April 14, 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces carried out a series of military strikes on Israel’s military bases in response to, and in exercise of its inherent right of self-defense as recognized under Article 51 of the Charter, against Israel’s recurring military aggressions, resulting in the martyrdom of the Iranian military advisors present in Syria,” the mission of Iran to the United Nations stated in an announcement.