India urges de-escalation as Iran fires swarms of drones, missiles at Israel

According to the Israeli army, the majority of the missiles were stopped before they entered Israel Image Courtesy Reuters

Hours after Iran conducted a drone and missile attack on Israel, the Ministry of External Affairs warned today that India is very concerned about the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran that endangers the peace and security in the West Asia region.

“We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our Embassies in the region are in close touch with Indian community. It is vital that security and stability are maintained in the region,” the ministry has said in its statement.

Iran has fired over 200 drones and missiles towards Israel in a dramatic uptick in hostilities the strategically important West Asia region, claiming that it is acting in “self-defence” after the Iranian embassy in Syria’s capital Damascus was hit by an Israeli airstrike.

According to the Israeli army, the majority of the missiles were stopped before they entered Israel.

US President Joe Biden has pledged strong support for Israel against hostile action by Iran.

“I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran’s attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,” Biden said on X.

According to a defense official, US forces have begun shooting down Iranian drones that are aimed towards Israel.

“Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect US forces operating in the region,” he stated.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, and President Biden also had a phone conversation. According to Netanyahu, Israel has been preparing for a frontal Iranian attack for years and will respond to the attack with force.