Rescue teams work outside a heavily damaged building, targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran on June 13, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 13, 2025) gave a call for “early restoration of peace” in the backdrop of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. He conveyed the Indian position in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday evening (June 13, 2025) when the latter briefed him about the Israeli attacks on Iran.

“Received a phone call from Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. He briefed me on the evolving situation. I shared India’s concerns and emphasised the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” said Mr. Modi.

Also read: Israel strikes Iran updates on May 13, 2025

In an announcement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry had confirmed that a number of “most patriotic servants of the nation” had died in the Israeli strikes. Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had expressed deep concern after Israel carried out bombing of targets that included nuclear energy research stations in Iran.

“Received a phone call from Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. He briefed me on the evolving situation. I shared India’s concerns and emphasised the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” said Mr. Modi after the phone conversation with Mr. Netanyahu.

In a televised address, Prime Minister Netanyahu had announced that Israel launched Operation Rising Lion describing it as a “targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival”. “This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,” said Mr. Netanyahu.

Israel has around 30,000 Indians employed in various projects and universities and authorities here have been engaged with both Iran and Israel regarding the safety of Indian citizens both in these two countries as well as in the rest of the Gulf region.

Accordingly, the Indian Embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv have issued advisories for Indian citizens urging them to be careful in view of the escalating tension in the region. “We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites. India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps,” said the MEA.

Earlier, the Embassy of India in Iran had urged Indian citizens to remain vigilant and “avoid all unnecessary movements”. The Embassy of India urged Indian nationals in Iran to follow the social media accounts of the mission. A similar advisory was issued by the Indian Embassy in Israel that urged Indians “to please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters”.

“India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps, existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support,” said the MEA.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed the loss of lives in the Israeli attacks and said, “In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran reserves the legitimate and legal right to respond to this aggression. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to defend Iran’s sovereignty with full strength and in the manner they deep appropriate.”