India says 'deeply concerned' after Israeli strikes on Iran

India, on Saturday, expressed ‘deep concern’ at the escalation in the Israel-Iran ongoing conflict.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal put out a statement saying “we are deeply concerned by the evolving escalation in West Asia and its ramifications for peace and stability in the region and beyond”.

The statement has come after, last night, Israel carried out a series of overnight air attacks against Iran, which it claimed were in retaliation for Tehran's barrage of missile strikes against Israel earlier this month.

The MEA said India would suggest the path of dialogue and diplomacy. “We reiterate our call to all concerned to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy,” Jaiswal said.

The ongoing hostilities are to nobody’s benefit, even as innocent hostages and civilian populations continue to suffer, Jaiswal said adding, “Our Missions in the region are in contact with the Indian community”.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday said its aircraft struck military sites in Iran including air defence batteries and missile manufacturing facilities, adding that it considers its response completed. No oil installation or nuclear site was hit in the strikes.

Israeli retaliation for an Iranian barrage of almost 200 ballistic missiles fired towards Israel on October 1 had been widely speculated.

Iran, when it had launched the missiles had said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil in July. Many missiles were shot down by Israel and its allies like the US and UK.