NEW DELHI: Iran‘s Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi urged India, being a “big power” and “important country”, to take a more active role in resolving the West Asia crisis
Elahi highlighted India’s influence due to its strong relations with both Israel and Palestine. He emphasized that India being could leverage its relationships to stop the ongoing violence in the region.His call for action comes amid heightened tensions following deadly clashes and targeted strikes involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
Elahi underscored India’s strategic importance and influence. He noted that India has maintained good diplomatic relations with Israel and has been a historical supporter of the Palestinian cause through its non-aligned movement. These factors position India uniquely to mediate and promote peace in West Asia, Elahi said in an interview with news agency ANI.
“Since the beginning of the tragic events and crimes of Israel in Gaza, I repeatedly mentioned that India is an important country, is a big power and influential country in the international community. Beside this, it has good relations with Israel and Iran and also India, as a non-aligned movement founder had supported Palestine case in the history of the region,” said Elahi.
“So, there is an expectation that India can and should play more active role in the current crisis in the region and tensions in the region. You know, the government of India has very good relation with the ruling party in Israel and the government of Israel. So, it can use its influence to convince them to stop this genocide in the region and in Gaza and stop crimes and keep the peace in Palestine. From the Iranian side, we are in collaboration with India in many cases and we hope that, you know, we are trying to convince India to keep peace in the region,” he added.
The current crisis intensified on October 7 when over 2000 Hamas terrorists breached Israeli borders. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 1200 Israelis and around 250 people being taken hostage, with approximately 120 still in Hamas captivity. In response, Israel launched a robust military offensive targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting several nations to call for an immediate ceasefire amid escalating violence and casualties.
Adding to the conflict’s severity, Hamas’ political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed on July 31 in Tehran. According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Haniyeh was targeted in an attack on a residence designated for war veterans. He was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian.
On August 1, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the killing of Hamas military wing commander Mohammed Deif in an airstrike conducted on July 13 in the southern Gaza Strip. The announcement followed a confirmation of intelligence regarding Deif’s death. The IDF stated that the strike, aimed at the commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade, Rafa’a Salameh, resulted in Deif’s elimination.
In the same announcement, the IDF mentioned that Salameh was also killed in the attack. They confirmed that the strike on Salameh’s compound was highly effective, accurately targeting both Hamas officials present at the time.
In another related incident, the IDF reported the death of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in southern Lebanon. Shukr was noted for his responsibility over Hezbollah’s advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs. He played a major role in planning and executing terror attacks against Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted recent successes against hostile forces, stating on July 30 that Israel delivered “crushing blows” to its enemies. His remarks came after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.
Elahi highlighted India’s influence due to its strong relations with both Israel and Palestine. He emphasized that India being could leverage its relationships to stop the ongoing violence in the region.His call for action comes amid heightened tensions following deadly clashes and targeted strikes involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
Elahi underscored India’s strategic importance and influence. He noted that India has maintained good diplomatic relations with Israel and has been a historical supporter of the Palestinian cause through its non-aligned movement. These factors position India uniquely to mediate and promote peace in West Asia, Elahi said in an interview with news agency ANI.
“Since the beginning of the tragic events and crimes of Israel in Gaza, I repeatedly mentioned that India is an important country, is a big power and influential country in the international community. Beside this, it has good relations with Israel and Iran and also India, as a non-aligned movement founder had supported Palestine case in the history of the region,” said Elahi.
“So, there is an expectation that India can and should play more active role in the current crisis in the region and tensions in the region. You know, the government of India has very good relation with the ruling party in Israel and the government of Israel. So, it can use its influence to convince them to stop this genocide in the region and in Gaza and stop crimes and keep the peace in Palestine. From the Iranian side, we are in collaboration with India in many cases and we hope that, you know, we are trying to convince India to keep peace in the region,” he added.
The current crisis intensified on October 7 when over 2000 Hamas terrorists breached Israeli borders. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 1200 Israelis and around 250 people being taken hostage, with approximately 120 still in Hamas captivity. In response, Israel launched a robust military offensive targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, prompting several nations to call for an immediate ceasefire amid escalating violence and casualties.
Adding to the conflict’s severity, Hamas’ political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed on July 31 in Tehran. According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Haniyeh was targeted in an attack on a residence designated for war veterans. He was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian.
On August 1, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the killing of Hamas military wing commander Mohammed Deif in an airstrike conducted on July 13 in the southern Gaza Strip. The announcement followed a confirmation of intelligence regarding Deif’s death. The IDF stated that the strike, aimed at the commander of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade, Rafa’a Salameh, resulted in Deif’s elimination.
In the same announcement, the IDF mentioned that Salameh was also killed in the attack. They confirmed that the strike on Salameh’s compound was highly effective, accurately targeting both Hamas officials present at the time.
In another related incident, the IDF reported the death of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in southern Lebanon. Shukr was noted for his responsibility over Hezbollah’s advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs. He played a major role in planning and executing terror attacks against Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted recent successes against hostile forces, stating on July 30 that Israel delivered “crushing blows” to its enemies. His remarks came after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.