US-Israel-Iran War News LIVE: MEA Says Govt Assisting Indians In With Evacuation Via Azerbaijan, Armenia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with several leaders in the Gulf region following the outbreak of the ongoing conflict, emphasising the importance of diplomacy and the safety of civilians, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Prime Minister highlighted the need for dialogue to restore peace while also stressing the protection of civilians and the welfare of the large Indian diaspora living in Gulf countries.

“The Prime Minister has spoken to several leaders in the Gulf after the conflict started. In these conversations, he stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy so that early peace can return. He also underlined the need to avoid civilian casualties and he focused on the protection of civilians. We have a large Indian community in the GCC countries and their security and welfare are of utmost importance. This was highlighted. We also, in several cases, condemned the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states…”

Reacting to the criticism by Opposition, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that India had already conveyed its condolences at the Iranian Embassy, responding to recent public remarks on the issue.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that the Foreign Secretary had signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi on the very first day it was opened.

“As you are aware, the Foreign Secretary signed the condolence book at the Iranian embassy on behalf of the Government of India. He did so on 5th March itself, which was the first day of the opening of the book. It would do well for commentators to first update themselves on important matters before they choose to speak in public; such ill-informed comments are best avoided.”

India is facilitating the movement of its nationals from Iran through neighbouring countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, as tensions in the region continue to impact travel and safety conditions.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is helping Indian citizens relocate to safer areas within Iran while also assisting those who wish to leave the country through land borders and return home via commercial flights.

“We’ve had about 9,000 Indian nationals who were there or who are there in Iran. These 9,000 Indian nationals comprise students, seafarers, business people, professionals and some pilgrims…Several Indian nationals, mostly students, left the country and reached home. We have shifted several Indian nationals, including students and pilgrims, who were based in Tehran to other safer locations and cities in the country. We are also assisting Indian nationals who wish to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia and from there to take commercial flights to return home. We are assisting them with visas. We are also assisting them with land border crossings.”

He added, “We are also assisting Indian nationals who wish to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia and from there to take commercial flights to return home. We are assisting them with visas. We are also assisting them with land border crossings…”

India is facilitating the movement of its nationals from Iran through neighbouring countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, as tensions in the region continue to impact travel and safety conditions.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is helping Indian citizens relocate to safer areas within Iran while also assisting those who wish to leave the country through land borders and return home via commercial flights.

“We’ve had about 9,000 Indian nationals who were there or who are there in Iran. These 9,000 Indian nationals comprise students, seafarers, business people, professionals and some pilgrims…Several Indian nationals, mostly students, left the country and reached home. We have shifted several Indian nationals, including students and pilgrims, who were based in Tehran to other safer locations and cities in the country. We are also assisting Indian nationals who wish to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia and from there to take commercial flights to return home. We are assisting them with visas. We are also assisting them with land border crossings. We’ve had several Indian nationals who have approached us and we have helped them to cross over into Azerbaijan and Armenia and from there to take commercial flights back home. I would take this opportunity to advise all Indian nationals who desire to leave Iran via land borders. They should adhere to the advisory that our embassy has issued…”

He added, “…We are also assisting Indian nationals who wish to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia and from there to take commercial flights to return home. We are assisting them with visas. We are also assisting them with land border crossings…”

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said India’s external affairs minister has held three conversations with his Iranian counterpart over the past few days amid the ongoing conflict.

“Our External Affairs Minister has been talking with his Iranian counterpart, and three conversations have happened in the recent few days. As far as the impact of the war, it is there for everybody to see what’s happening around. Several of our lives have been impacted by it, not just ours, but of people and countries around the world.”

Airstrikes killed at least nine Iran-backed fighters near the Iraq–Syria border on Thursday, according to two senior Iraqi security cited by AFP. Another 10 fighters were injured in the strikes, which targeted a base belonging to the US-blacklisted group Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, the officials said on condition of anonymity.

The death toll may rise, according to the officials.

Kuwait Airport sustained damage after coming under drone fire on Thursday, authorities confirmed. The strikes occurred amid ongoing Iranian attacks on Gulf countries.

“The civil aviation announces that Kuwait Airport was targeted by several drones, resulting only in material damage,” the statement said. Authorities emphasised that no casualties were reported during the incident.

The attack is part of a series of retaliatory strikes by Iran on Gulf infrastructure following US-Israel actions against Tehran. While airport operations may be temporarily affected due to the damage, officials assured the public that essential services and safety measures are in place to manage flights and passenger movement.

A Liberia-flagged oil tanker, the Shenlong carrying crude from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura port safely reached Mumbai after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the first India-bound vessel to do so since the conflict between Iran and the United States intensified.

Shipping data shows it sailed through the strait on March 8 before docking in Mumbai this week, a development seen as a positive sign for India’s energy supply amid disrupted maritime traffic.

Nearly every U.S. Senate Democrat signed a letter sent to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday requesting a “swift investigation” of airstrikes on a girls’ school in Iran that killed scores of children and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm.

Reuters reported on March 5 that U.S. military investigators believe it is likely that U.S. forces were responsible for the strike on the school on February 28, as U.S. and Israeli forces launched attacks on Iran.

“The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack,” the letter, signed by 46 senators, said.

Iran launched a new wave of attacks against Gulf energy targets on Thursday, hours after two oil tankers were hit, sending crude prices soaring again despite record reserve releases.

The renewed drone and missile attacks against Iran’s Gulf neighbours and Israel followed a warning from Tehran that it could wage a prolonged war that would “destroy” the world economy.

US President Donald Trump meanwhile insisted Iran was facing imminent defeat, though he cautioned that did not mean the war would end “immediately.”

New Zealand officials said Thursday they were considering using decades-old laws restricting vehicle use if fuel supplies dwindled due to the war in the Middle East.

Finance minister Nicola Willis told reporters on Thursday that officials had discussed using legislation introduced to restrict fuel use in the wake of the Iranian revolution in 1979 in response to the crisis.

Under those laws, car owners had to nominate one day per week when they would not use their vehicle and faced hefty fines if caught driving.

Australia will adjust fuel quality standards to allow higher sulfur levels for around two months in a move that will release 100 million litres into the domestic supply, officials said Thursday.

The country — reliant on oil imports for fuel — has seen petrol prices spike since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East.

In response, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said one of the country’s top refiners, Ampol, has agreed to redirect supply to regions experiencing shortages and the wholesale market.

Iran has allowed India-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic talks between the two countries, as New Delhi sought to ensure the safe movement of crude oil and natural gas shipments through the vital waterway.

Indian-flagged tankers Pushpak and Parimal were able to transit the strait safely even as vessels linked to the United States, Europe and Israel continue to face restrictions amid the ongoing regional conflict, people familiar with the matter said.

The United Nations Security Council adopted a draft resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries and Jordan, demanding that Tehran immediately halt hostilities.

Thirteen of the 15 members of the UNSC voted on Wednesday in favour of the resolution sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and cosponsored by an extraordinary 135 other UN member states.

Indian national killed in attack by Iran against US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu in Iraqi waters.

An Indian national has reportedly been killed in an attack carried out by Iran using a “suicide” boat against a US-owned oil tanker near Iraq.

The head of Iraq’s General Company for Ports, Farhan al-Fartousi, has told the Iraqi News Agency that all oil terminal operations have been completely suspended, while commercial ports continue to function normally.

The announcement follows attacks by explosive-laden boats on two crude oil tankers that had loaded at Umm Qasr port in Basra Province.

Iranian explosive-laden boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters setting them ablaze and killing one crew member on Wednesday, after projectiles struck three vessels in Gulf waters, said port, maritime security and risk firms.

The latest attacks mark an escalation in the conflict between Iran and U.S.-Israeli forces, raising the number of ships struck in the region since fighting began to at least 16.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has urged citizens and residents of Hidd, Arad, Qalali and Samaheej to “remain in their homes, close windows and ventilation openings” due to the fire in the Muharraq governorate.

The ministry said the measure was a “precaution against potential effects of smoke” from the fire.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense says the kingdom’s air defences have shot down a “hostile drone” that was attempting to approach the capital city’s diplomatic quarter.

It also said it downed two other drones heading towards the Shaybah oil field.

The UN children’s agency (UNICEF) says the “intensifying conflict” between US, Israel and Iran is creating a “catastrophic” situation for millions of children across the Middle East.

“Since 28 February, more than 1,100 children have been reported injured or killed in the violence. This includes 200 children reportedly killed in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel and one in Kuwait,” it said in a statement.

Several banks urged their employees to evacuate offices in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday as Iran threatens to launch strikes on financial institutions.

HSBC has closed all its branches in Qatar until further notice, citing safety precautions in a text message sent to clients, Reuters reported.

India co-sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council that condemned the “egregious” attacks by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan and demanded immediate cessation of all attacks by Tehran while denouncing its threats of closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The 15-nation Security Council, currently under the presidency of the United States, adopted the resolution on Wednesday with 13 votes in favour, none against and abstentions by veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia.

The United States and Iran have signaled no quick end to their war, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying it was necessary to finish the job and Iran warning that the world should be ready for oil at $200 a barrel after striking tankers in Iraqi waters and other ships near the vital Strait of Hormuz.

The war unleashed with joint U.S. and Israeli air strikes nearly two weeks ago has so far killed around 2,000 people, mostly Iranians and Lebanese, as it has spread into Lebanon and thrown global energy markets and transport into chaos.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said more than 1,100 children had been killed or injured.