New Delhi, March 13 (UNI) Indian ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz due to the West Asia crisis are expected to soon receive safe passage from Iran.
When asked on Friday whether Iran would allow Indian ships to pass safely through the strait, Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said that good news on this issue would arrive shortly.
“Yes, because India is our friendly country. You will know within two to three hours. We believe that Iran and India share common interests in this region,” he added.
It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Thursday night with the Iranian President about the situation in West Asia and related concerns. During the conversation, the Prime Minister emphasized India’s priority on the safety of Indian citizens in the region, including in Iran, and highlighted the importance of the uninterrupted movement of energy and essential goods. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also held talks with his Iranian counterpart on various bilateral issues.
The Iranian Ambassador reiterated that Iran does not seek war but is prepared to defend itself if necessary.
“We have announced several times that we do not want war, but we are ready for it if needed. We had resumed talks with the United States, but those negotiations were disrupted and destroyed at the table. Now we tell all governments: Iran does not want war, but Iran is ready for it,” Fathali said.
He also spoke about the situation in Iran and the broader region, mentioning recent violence, including attacks on schools and the deaths of prominent political, military, and defense figures. He described these events as “exceedingly complex and deeply concerning” and condemned attacks on civilians in Gaza.
“These innocent children were students who had come to study in the hope of building a better future, yet they fell victim to the violence and brutality of the usurping Zionist regime and the United States,” he said.
The ambassador stressed Iran’s preference for diplomacy while underlining that the country remains prepared to respond to any military threat and called on the international community to understand Tehran’s position.
At the International Quds Day Conference, Fathali said,“I would like to express my gratitude to the people of India for the way they conveyed their condolences and sympathies regarding the martyrdom of our leader. I am deeply thankful to all of you. Such messages and expressions from you reflect the depth of the historical and cultural ties that have long existed between India and Iran; the true extent of this profound bond can be gauged by the sentiments expressed by the people here.”
