PM Modi Dials Iranian President Pezeshkian, Urges De-escalation After US Strikes On Nuclear Sites

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding the recent US airstrikes on three major nuclear sites.

He expressed serious concern over the situation in the Middle East and called for an immediate reduction in hostilities.

Photo Credit: PTI

During the call, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's appeal for de-escalation and emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path forward.

He also urged for the swift restoration of peace, security, and stability in the region, which has been shaken by a wave of missile attacks and military strikes.

"We had a detailed discussion on the prevailing situation. I conveyed deep concern about the recent escalation and once again stressed the need for immediate de-escalation. Dialogue and diplomacy are essential for the early return of regional peace, security and stability," the Prime Minister wrote on X following the conversation.

Modi's call to the Iranian President came just hours after the United States carried out airstrikes on three critical Iranian nuclear facilities - Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.

In a televised address, President Trump described the operation as a "spectacular military success" and issued a warning of further strikes should Iran retaliate. He stated that the mission had successfully achieved its primary objective: crippling Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities.

In response to the strikes, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the US action as a grave violation of international law, the United Nations Charter and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In a strongly-worded post on X, Araghchi accused the United States - a permanent member of the UN Security Council - of "criminal behaviour" in targeting what he claimed were peaceful nuclear installations.

"This morning's events are utterly outrageous and will have lasting repercussions. Every member of the United Nations should be deeply alarmed by this dangerous, unlawful and criminal conduct," he stated.

Reports indicate that the United States deployed six bunker-busting bombs on the Fordow site. In addition, 30 Tomahawk missiles, launched from submarines stationed 400 miles away, struck the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear facilities.