Modi urges diplomacy in West Asia call with Iran's Pezeshkian

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
• Modi emphasized diplomacy and de-escalation in West Asia.
• Modi stressed the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Pezeshkian reportedly asked India to mediate an end to the Gulf war using its BRICS leadership.
• Qatar reported positive progress in US-Iran talks held in Doha.
• Qatar and Pakistan mediated the US-Iran talks.
• Discussions focused on a memorandum of understanding and frozen Iranian funds.
• Negotiations will continue after funeral ceremonies for Iran's former Supreme Leader.
• Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Israel.
• The warning followed remarks by Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz about Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a diplomatic call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, advocating for diplomacy and de-escalation in West Asia. During their conversation, Modi highlighted the significance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. President Pezeshkian reportedly sought India's assistance in mediating an end to the Gulf war, suggesting that India could utilize its leadership role within the BRICS bloc to facilitate this.

In parallel developments, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson announced that "positive progress" has been made in recent US-Iran negotiations. These talks, which took place in Doha, were facilitated by mediators from Qatar and Pakistan. The discussions centered on key issues including a memorandum of understanding and the management of frozen Iranian funds. Both parties have agreed to resume negotiations following the conclusion of funeral ceremonies for Iran's former Supreme Leader.

Separately, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a strong warning to Israel. This statement followed remarks made by Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz concerning Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Araghchi asserted that any threat directed at Iran's leadership would be met with an immediate and forceful retaliatory response.