Iran’s president has called for an “immediate cessation” of what he described as U.S.-Israeli aggression as a prerequisite to ending the ongoing conflict in West Asia, according to a statement released by the Iranian Embassy in India on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
The call for de-escalation comes as the war between Tehran and forces aligned with the U.S. And Israel enters its third week, raising concerns about wider regional instability and disruptions to global shipping lanes.
President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed this message during a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day. He stated that guarantees are needed to prevent a recurrence of what he termed “aggression” in the future. Pezeshkian also urged the BRICS bloc of emerging economies to grab an independent stance in halting aggression against Iran.
According to the Iranian Embassy, the Iranian president proposed a regional security framework comprised of West Asian countries, designed to ensure peace without external interference.
In a separate post on X on Saturday, March 21, 2026, Prime Minister Modi said he condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the Middle East during his conversation with Pezeshkian.
The Indian Prime Minister reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure. This development underscores India’s strategic interest in maintaining stability in the Gulf region, a vital corridor for energy supplies and trade.
