Avoid attacks on commercial shipping, seafarers: S Jaishankar to Iran FM Araghchi

The conversation with Araghchi comes a day after Jaishankar conveyed similar concerns to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha over attacks on commercial shipping and Indian seafarers in the Black Sea.S Jaishankar speaks to Araghchi, urges Iran to avoid attacks on commercial shipping (Photo: ITG)External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and conveyed India's deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in the region, while strongly urging that commercial shipping and seafarers should not be targeted under any circumstances.In a post on X after the telephonic conversation, Jaishankar said India condemns attacks on commercial vessels by any party and reiterated New Delhi's support for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict."Had a tele-conversation with FM @araghchi of Iran this evening. Conveyed our deep concerns at the ongoing hostilities in the region," Jaishankar wrote. "Strongly urged that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided under any circumstances. India condemns any such attack by any party," he added.IRAN BRIEFS INDIA ON LATEST DEVELOPMENTSJaishankar said Araghchi apprised him of Iran's assessment of the current situation and the discussions underway amid the continuing regional tensions. "Was apprised of Iran's perspective of current developments and discussions underway. India is always supportive of dialogue and diplomacy," the External Affairs Minister said.India has consistently called for restraint and peaceful resolution of conflicts while maintaining engagement with all sides.INDIA HAS RAISED SIMILAR CONCERNS WITH UKRAINE The conversation with Araghchi comes a day after Jaishankar conveyed similar concerns to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha over attacks on commercial shipping and Indian seafarers in the Black Sea. During the call, Jaishankar described attacks on merchant vessels by any party as "absolutely unacceptable" and said India condemns them "unequivocally."The outreach followed India's strong protest to Ukraine after an Indian seafarer was killed aboard the merchant vessel MV Omorfi, which reportedly came under a Ukrainian drone strike. According to official figures, five Indian seafarers have died and two remain missing following recent Russian and Ukrainian attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea.Jaishankar had also reiterated during his conversation with Sybiha that India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.16 INDIANS DIED SINCE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT BEGAN: GOVTThe conversation came a day after the government informed Parliament that 16 Indian nationals, including 10 seafarers, have lost their lives since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in February this year.Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said one Indian died in Saudi Arabia, two in Kuwait, eight in Oman, one in Iraq and four in the UAE. Besides the fatalities, 75 Indians have been injured — 32 in the UAE, 24 in Oman, four in Qatar, 13 in Kuwait, one in Saudi Arabia and one in Israel.The minister also informed the House that, in a separate accident unrelated to the conflict, 12 Indian nationals died at the Ras Laffan gas facility in Qatar.OVER 2,500 INDIANS EVACUATED FROM IRANThe government also informed Parliament that since hostilities began in West Asia in February this year, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the cross-border movement of 2,557 Indian nationals from Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan for their onward journey to India.The government estimates that around 7,000 Indian nationals are currently in Iran, including seminary students, medical students, workers, seafarers and fishermen.The MEA said it has raised issues concerning Indian medical students who had to return from Iran because of the conflict and is exploring ways to address their concerns. It has also advised Indian nationals to postpone non-essential travel to Iran until the security situation improves.- EndsWith agency inputsPublished By: Sonali VermaPublished On: Jul 31, 2026 20:29 IST