US-Iran Tension: S Jaishankar Holds Telephonic Conversation With Pompeo, Voices India's Concerns

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a telephonic conversation on Sunday over the escalating tensions in the Gulf region after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.

“S Jaishankar and I spoke just now regarding Iran’s continued threats and provocations. The Trump Administration won’t hesitate to act to keep American lives, and those of our friends and allies, safe”, tweeted Mike Pompeo.

.@DrSJaishankar and I spoke just now regarding Iran’s continued threats and provocations. The Trump Administration won’t hesitate to act to keep American lives, and those of our friends and allies, safe.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 5, 2020

After his discussion with Pompeo, Jaishankar tweeted, “Had a telephonic discussion with Secretary of State @SecPompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region. Highlighted India’s stakes and concerns.”

Had a telephonic discussion with Secretary of State @SecPompeo on the evolving situation in the Gulf region. Highlighted India's stakes and concerns.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 5, 2020

Earlier, Jaishankar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and voiced India’s concerns over the present scenario.

Along with Zarif and Pompeo, the External Affairs Minister also spoke to Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Alawi and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the tense situation in the region.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Iran that the US has identified 52 possible targets in the country and will hit it harder than ever before if Tehran, which has vowed “severe revenge”, carries out any attack against America to avenge the killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani.

Soleimani, 62, the head of Iran’s elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a US drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq’s powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

(With PTI inputs)