In call with Modi, Iranian President proposes West Asia security framework, seeks BRICS role

Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation on Saturday (March 21), discussing bilateral relations and regional and international developments amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.

Pezeshkian said, “Iran did not initiate the war.” He added that “the aggressor, without any justification, logic, or legal basis, launched military attacks against Iran during ongoing nuclear negotiations, resulting in the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, senior military commanders, and a number of defenceless civilians, including innocent schoolchildren, as well as targeting public infrastructure.”

He stated, “The US targeted the school in Minab from bases located in neighbouring countries hosting US military installations, leading to the tragic martyrdom of 168 innocent schoolchildren.”
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Rejecting US claims, he said the justification was misplaced and noted that “in multiple meetings attended by the Supreme Leader, the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution had firmly opposed nuclear weapons and had issued both administrative and religious directives prohibiting any move toward their development.”

Pezeshkian also said, “It is Israel that carries out attacks and assassinations in Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, and elsewhere, justifying such actions under the pretext of maintaining security and peace, while in reality fueling unrest and conflict across the region.”

On engagement, he said Iran is ready for “telephone and in-person dialogues with world leaders, including on the sidelines of the UN, for the purpose of verification and acceptance of oversight over its peaceful nuclear activities.” He described the actions of the U.S and Israel as “profoundly inhumane and unethical.”

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He proposed “the establishment of a regional security framework composed of countries of West Asia, aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region through regional cooperation without foreign interference,” and said “a prerequisite for ending the war and conflict in the region is the immediate cessation of aggressions by the US and Israel, along with guarantees against their recurrence in the future.”

Referring to India’s BRICS presidency, he called for the grouping to “play an independent role in halting aggressions against Iran and in safeguarding regional and international peace and stability.”

Prime Minister Modi extended greetings on Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz, wishing “a year filled with peace and tranquillity” to the people of Iran. “For his part, Prime Minister Modi extended his greetings on the occasions of Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz to the President, the Government, and the people of Iran, and wished them a year filled with peace and tranquillity.”

He expressed “deep concern over the escalation of tensions and conflict in West Asia” and “strongly condemned any attacks on energy infrastructure in the region, noting that such actions pose serious threats to global food and energy security and to agricultural exports worldwide.” PM Modi also stressed “the importance of ensuring the continued security of the Strait of Hormuz and the freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf.”

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“In this context, referring to his consultations and discussions with various world leaders, PM Modi emphasised that choosing the path of war is in no one’s interest; therefore, all parties should move toward peace as soon as possible,” he said.