Modi urges diplomacy in call with Iran’s Pezeshkian

Key facts

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
• Modi and Pezeshkian discussed regional de-escalation.
• They also discussed the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Pezeshkian reportedly asked India to use its BRICS chairmanship to mediate an end to the Gulf war.
• Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated diplomacy with the US is a priority.
• Iran is prepared for war if negotiations fail.
• Iran will not proceed to further agreement stages until key provisions are implemented.
• Key provisions include those related to Lebanon, oil exports, and the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran and Oman plan to jointly impose a service fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
• This plan contradicts a prior US-Iran agreement for free passage.
• The US has objected to the joint fee plan.
• Iran rejected a French proposal for a demining mission in the Strait of Hormuz.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a diplomatic discussion with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, focusing on the critical issues of regional de-escalation and the imperative of maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. During their conversation, Pezeshkian reportedly requested India's assistance, urging the nation to leverage its current BRICS chairmanship to facilitate mediation aimed at resolving the ongoing Gulf war.

Concurrently, Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, articulated the nation's strategic stance, asserting that while diplomacy with the United States remains the primary objective, Iran is also prepared for military conflict should negotiations falter. Ghalibaf stressed that Iran will not advance to further stages of any agreement without the complete fulfillment of specific key provisions, which include stipulations concerning Lebanon, the resumption of oil exports, and the unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Adding another layer to the complex regional dynamics, Iran and Oman are reportedly collaborating on plans to jointly implement a service fee for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This proposed joint fee structure stands in direct opposition to a previous agreement between the US and Iran that stipulated free passage. The United States has voiced objections to this new development. Furthermore, Iran has rejected a proposal put forth by France for a demining mission within this vital maritime waterway.

In parallel, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has actively encouraged both the United States and Iran to sustain the momentum of their ongoing talks. Wang Yi underscored the preference for dialogue over armed conflict. This diplomatic push by China comes as Wang Yi also reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to supporting Middle Eastern peace talks during a separate meeting with a senior Saudi diplomat.