Amid Saudi attacks and Hormuz crisis, Doval speaks to Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei over phone

What was said about the conversation

The Iranian Embassy in India provided information about this conversation on social media. According to the embassy, Rezaei contacted Doval over the telephone. Both exchanged views on regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest.

No official statement has been issued by the Government of India on this conversation so far. Detailed particulars of the topics discussed have also not been made public.

It is reported that the issue of recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, especially the targeting of airports, was also raised during the conversation. This claim is not based on official statements. Similarly, the issue of attacks on merchant vessels is being speculated as having been raised. Neither side has confirmed these two points.

Attack on Riyadh airport

According to Saudi civil aviation authorities, 12 people died and more than 300 were injured in the latest attack on Riyadh airport. Some reports have put the death toll at at least 13. An Indian national also died in the attack. The Saudi-led coalition has blamed Yemen's Houthi rebels for this and termed it a "war crime." The airport is currently closed, and according to a notice, it will remain closed until at least 17 October.

Condemning this attack, India had stated that the repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia are unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.

Attack on two tankers in Hormuz

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), attacks occurred on two commercial vessels in the Hormuz region on 11 October.

• MT Petro Dolphin: According to the ministry, this tanker was allegedly attacked by a drone. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal stated that this attack took place at the Sohar anchorage in Oman. There were 11 Indian sailors on board the ship, two of whom are missing. Nine have been rescued. Search and rescue operations are underway.
• MT Walthera: This Marshall Islands-flagged tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile, which caused a fire. All 11 Indian sailors on board the ship are reported to be safe.

The ministry has said that the Indian Embassy in Muscat is working with Omani authorities and ship management companies to try and locate the missing sailors. The ministry stated, "Attacks on commercial vessels, sailors, and civilian infrastructure must stop." Official information regarding who has claimed responsibility for these attacks has not been provided yet.

Prior to this, on 6 October, the Ministry of External Affairs had also condemned the attack on the tanker MT On Peace in Hormuz, in which 11 Indian sailors were injured.

India's position

India has been consistently calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the West Asia crisis. It has also expressed concern over the attacks on merchant vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, as these threaten the safety of Indian sailors. During the BRICS summit held in New Delhi last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Even then, he had emphasized a solution through dialogue and diplomacy and the uninterrupted movement of maritime routes.

What next

It remains to be seen whether the Indian government issues an official statement on this conversation. The status of the search for the two missing Indian sailors and further diplomatic initiatives regarding the security of ships in Hormuz will also be important.