Jaishankar urges Iran to halt attacks on commercial shipping, seafarers
Synopsis
With US-Iran military strikes escalating and CENTCOM redirecting dozens of commercial ships, EAM Jaishankar rang Iran's foreign minister to demand protection for commercial shipping and seafarers — a direct signal that India's economic and human stakes in Persian Gulf sea lanes will not be quietly sidelined as the conflict deepens.
Key Takeaways
EAM S Jaishankar spoke by phone with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi on 31 July , raising India's concerns over regional hostilities.
Jaishankar 'strongly urged' that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided 'under any circumstance,' condemning such attacks 'by any party.' The US launched fresh military strikes against Iran on Wednesday after Iran fired ballistic missiles at US positions in Jordan .
CENTCOM confirmed it had redirected 24 commercial vessels , disabled 2 , and boarded 2 as of 30 July .
Iranian state media reported explosions in Hormozgan and Khuzestan provinces, with strikes near oil infrastructure and Persian Gulf islands.
India reaffirmed its support for 'dialogue and diplomacy' to resolve the conflict.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday, 31 July held a telephonic conversation with Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, conveying India's deep concerns over escalating hostilities in the Middle East and firmly calling for an end to attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers.
What Jaishankar Said
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated: 'Had a tele-conversation with FM Aragachi of Iran this evening. Conveyed our deep concerns at the ongoing hostilities in the region. Strongly urged that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided under any circumstance. India condemns any such attack by any party.'
He added that he was 'apprised of Iran's perspective of current developments and discussions underway,' and reaffirmed that 'India is always supportive of dialogue and diplomacy.'
The Broader Military Escalation
The call came against the backdrop of a sharp military escalation between the United States and Iran. On Wednesday, US forces launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran, in retaliation for what American officials described as an attempted Iranian attack on US forces in the Middle East.
The strikes followed Iran's launch of ballistic missiles targeting US military positions in Jordan — an attack that American officials said was intercepted by air defences. President Donald Trump had vowed a forceful response, warning that the US would hit Iran 'very hard.'
US Central Command (CENTCOM) did not immediately disclose the locations or scope of the latest strikes inside Iran. Iranian state media, however, reported explosions in several southern provinces, including Hormozgan and Khuzestan, with strikes reportedly near oil infrastructure and on islands in the Persian Gulf.
US Naval Operations in the Region
Separately, the US military released details of its ongoing maritime operations. According to CENTCOM, as of 30 July, American forces had redirected 24 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance — underscoring the scale of the naval operation across the Middle East.
Why This Matters for India
India has significant stakes in the security of commercial shipping lanes through the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, which are critical arteries for its energy imports and merchandise trade. Indian seafarers are also employed in substantial numbers aboard vessels transiting these waters. This is not the first time New Delhi has raised the issue — Jaishankar has previously flagged threats to maritime safety as the India-Iran-US triangle has grown more volatile in recent months.
With dialogue between Tehran and Washington showing no signs of imminent breakthrough, India's insistence on protecting civilian maritime interests is likely to remain a consistent diplomatic refrain in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Both of whom it cannot afford to alienate. The CENTCOM operation redirecting 24 commercial vessels is itself a form of coercion on international shipping — a fact that Jaishankar's statement implicitly, if diplomatically, acknowledges. India's credibility as a neutral voice depends on whether it raises these concerns with Washington as firmly as it does with Tehran.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did EAM Jaishankar call Iran's foreign minister on 31 July?
Jaishankar called Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi to convey India's deep concerns over escalating hostilities in the Middle East and to urge that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be stopped under any circumstance. India also reaffirmed its support for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict.
What did India say about attacks on commercial shipping?
India 'strongly urged' that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided under any circumstance, with Jaishankar stating that 'India condemns any such attack by any party' — a formulation that does not single out either Iran or the United States.
What military actions has the US taken against Iran?
The US launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday in retaliation for an attempted Iranian attack on US forces in the Middle East. Iran had earlier fired ballistic missiles at US military positions in Jordan, which American officials said were intercepted by air defences. CENTCOM also confirmed it had redirected 24 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2 as of 30 July.
Which parts of Iran were reportedly struck?
According to Iranian state media, explosions were heard in several southern provinces including Hormozgan and Khuzestan, with strikes reported near oil infrastructure and on islands in the Persian Gulf. CENTCOM did not immediately confirm the locations or scope of the strikes.
Why does India have a stake in Persian Gulf shipping security?
The Persian Gulf and Red Sea are critical routes for India's energy imports and merchandise trade. Indian seafarers also work in large numbers on vessels transiting these waters, making the safety of commercial shipping a direct economic and humanitarian concern for New Delhi.
