Post-conversation, Jaishankar shared on X: ‘Had a telephone conversation this evening with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. We exchanged views on the conflict underway in West Asia and its many implications.’

The timing is critical, following the February 28 U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military figures. Iran responded aggressively with drone and missile assaults on U.S. and Israeli installations, regional hubs, and proxy forces, deepening the crisis.

Jaishankar’s diplomatic calendar has been packed. He recently spoke with foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, France, and Oman, reflecting India’s sustained engagement with stakeholders to assess risks and explore stability measures.

That same day, he met UAE’s Reem Al Hashimy to review conflict updates. Jaishankar thanked the UAE for safeguarding Indian expatriates, tweeting: ‘Pleased to meet UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy today afternoon. Expressed thanks to UAE govt for care of Indian community. Discussed recent events in West Asia conflict.’

Just days prior, on March 16, interactions with Ursula von der Leyen in Belgium addressed West Asia and Ukraine dynamics. Jaishankar commended her perspectives, stating on X: ‘Great to meet EC President Ursula von der Leyen. Her January India visit marked a milestone in ties. We’re advancing rapidly. Value her take on current global issues.’

India’s flurry of high-level talks signals a strategic approach to mitigate the conflict’s fallout, ensure citizen safety, and advocate for dialogue. As tensions simmer, New Delhi’s voice gains prominence in pushing for restraint and resolution.

Subsequent days unveiled further devastation. State media reported on March 1 that Army Chief Syed Abdulrahim Mousavi and the Defense Minister died in a targeted hit on a high-level council session. These losses crippled operational command at a critical juncture.

Iran’s judiciary confirmed on March 2 the elimination of Revolutionary Guards leader General Mohammad Pakpour. Longtime military bureau chief Mohammad Shirazi, a bridge between the Supreme Leader and armed forces since 1989, was taken out in the initial assault, severing key communication lines.

Intelligence heavyweight Saleh Asadi, who directed emergency ops from Khattam-al-Anbiya HQ, fell early too. His expertise in crisis intelligence planning left Iran exposed.

The onslaught peaked with March 17 strikes on Tehran, claiming Ali Larijani, the strategic brain of the National Security Council, and Basij head Gholamreza Soleimani. Seven elite leaders down— Iran’s military hierarchy lies in ruins, its first line of defense effectively neutralized as the regional crisis deepens.

Confronting critics head-on, Vance rebuffed efforts to portray fractures in the administration. ‘You’re trying to create divisions between the President, myself, and the government,’ he charged, clarifying that policy alignment has been consistent. Trump has opposed Iranian nuclear armament since 2015, and these strikes, executed under his command, align perfectly with that vision.

Shifting focus from partisanship, Vance called for bipartisan support. ‘Democrats and Republicans alike should unite in hoping for mission success and protecting our soldiers,’ he implored, prioritizing results over rhetoric.

When pressed on his earlier reservations about overseas interventions, Vance pivoted to trust in Trump’s acumen. ‘The President will finish the job effectively, benefiting Americans and avoiding historical errors,’ he said, implicitly critiquing past leaders like Biden by praising Trump as exceptionally astute.

Trump reinforced this narrative, underscoring his peace-through-strength doctrine. ‘No one craves war less than I do,’ he stated, yet justified the actions as vital. He warned of Iran’s intentions: ‘With nukes, they’d deploy them swiftly, endangering vast regions.’

Lauding Vance, Trump noted, ‘JD grasps the stakes better than most—if Iran goes nuclear, massive destruction follows almost instantly.’

Amid scrutiny over the operation’s extent, Vance emphasized its precision and necessity, tied to thwarting imminent dangers. The White House’s Iran stance is unwavering: deny Tehran atomic weapons, backed by Trump’s stern warnings.

These statements aim to solidify a united front, even as broader discussions rage on military engagement’s sustainability and repercussions. The administration eyes victory, safeguarding US interests in a volatile world.

Posting on X, Anwar detailed the conversation, revealing his expressions of unity and shared sorrow. The strikes, which claimed the lives of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alongside 165 innocent schoolchildren, have sparked outrage across Muslim-majority nations.

‘Malaysia stands firmly against any military action that violates a country’s sovereignty,’ Anwar declared, renewing his nation’s staunch position. He expressed grave worries about how the escalating feud threatens worldwide security and economic steadiness.

The leaders agreed on the urgency of diplomatic channels to defuse the crisis. Emphasis was placed on reducing hostilities, bolstering peace talks, and resolving longstanding disputes, including the plight of Palestinians, which continues to fuel regional unrest.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed the tragedy with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry via Telegram, Putin offered sympathies for the losses and pushed for non-violent solutions to Middle East tensions.

These high-level exchanges signal a growing coalition against the attacks, highlighting the precarious balance of power in international relations. As diplomacy takes center stage, the world watches to see if cooler heads can prevail over mounting animosities.

Passengers holding tickets for Saturday’s afternoon departures, including connections, are cleared to head to airports. Emirates is dynamically updating schedules based on real-time assessments.

The backdrop involves Saturday blasts in Dubai and Manama, Bahrain, prompting air raid sirens. UAE officials detailed how air defenses neutralized incoming ballistic missiles, drones, and loitering munitions, causing the audible explosions heard citywide.

These events align with Iran’s strikes against bases with American troops in the area. Earlier, Dubai handled fallout from intercepted threats. During the pause, Emirates provided re-accommodations and online refund processes.

Now back in action, the airline reassures travelers of rigorous protocols. This resumption could boost confidence amid volatility, as Gulf hubs reconnect with the world. Experts watch if sustained flights indicate de-escalation or calculated risk-taking.

The shutdown on Wednesday was not just a gesture of grief but a robust, non-violent manifestation of unity as one Ummah, Mirwaiz noted. Yet, this expression has been met with heavy-handed measures.

Detaining participants—many of them women and children—exercising their fundamental right to protest peacefully is regrettable and unwarranted. Equally troubling are the crackdowns on social media coverage, with FIRs against Facebook posts and bans on local news accounts, actions that flout constitutional protections.

Mirwaiz demanded the unconditional release of all arrested individuals and an end to the stifling of voices through ongoing censorship.

Echoing these sentiments, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti slammed the central government and NC’s muted response to the relentless US-Israel bombings on Iran over the past week, which allegedly assassinated Ayatollah Khamenei.

‘At a time when India once stood with Iran, receiving crucial aid like free oil amid sanctions, silence now equates to complicity,’ she said during a media briefing. Mufti warned that criminalizing public outrage over such atrocities undermines free speech in the region.

As tensions simmer, these leaders call for restraint and respect for civil liberties, underscoring the need for dialogue over suppression in a diverse democracy.

Posting on X and tagging Marco Rubio, Loomer declared the need for swift suspension amid reports of protesters storming the consulate. She detailed alleged deaths – six in the first wave, more later – as crowds, mourning Iran’s leader, clashed with security in a bid to occupy the site.

Describing the response as US Marines gunning down attackers on the spot, Loomer’s narrative paints a dire picture of retaliation. Yet, official confirmation is absent; casualty figures and the shooters’ identities hover in uncertainty.

Pakistan drew sharp rebukes from Loomer, who highlighted its harboring of bin Laden and role in breeding extremism aimed at the US and India. The largest city in Pakistan, Karachi often sees such flare-ups against American policies.

With no word from the State Department, Loomer’s post has fueled heated discussions on immigration, security, and foreign relations. This episode revives long-standing debates on vetting travelers from high-risk nations, especially as geopolitical tensions simmer post-Iran strikes.

Experts note Pakistan’s dual role as ally and concern, complicating any blanket visa policy. As the story develops, it spotlights the volatile mix of international conflicts and domestic policy pressures.

‘Immense scale, brilliantly executed,’ raved retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, tipping his hat to Trump’s outstanding handling. Retired Gen. Jack Keane added that its calculated design promises enduring effects.

From the Ronald Reagan Institute, Roger Zakheim declared the attacks shifted Middle East dynamics, making America safer – the decade’s defining strike. Yorktown Institute head Seth Cropsey detailed the precision hits on Iran’s clerics, missiles, and controls, paving its downfall.

Foundation for Defense of Democracies CEO Mark Dubowitz asserted Trump’s unique feat in neutralizing Khamenei’s threats. Fellow expert Mideast Maliuki celebrated him as history’s first champion of Iran’s oppressed, armed with bold foresight.

The Wall Street Journal editors framed Saturday’s U.S.-Israel operation as essential deterrence against global terror’s chief exporter, balancing risks with transformative promise for peace.

Mike Pompeo, ex-top diplomat, said Trump safeguarded the West. Naftali Bennett, former Israeli leader, quipped the key takeaway: steer clear of Trump. ‘The world is safer today,’ he forecasted, with gratitude to follow.

Hugh Hewitt praised the president’s speech as steady and sure. This wave of acclaim positions Operation Epic Fury not just as a tactical win, but a strategic pivot redefining U.S. resolve against aggression.

Netblocks, a cybersecurity monitor, highlighted on social media that such shutdowns are tools to obscure atrocities, as seen in January’s prolonged outage. Tehran awoke to new blasts on Monday, while Sanandaj in western Iran endured a missile onslaught on civilian zones, per Tasnim News. Images depict rescuers digging through collapsed buildings, with IRNA reporting three deaths there.

Damage extended to healthcare: Tehran’s Gandhi Hospital suffered heavy hits, leading to patient evacuations amid scenes of chaos—piles of rubble, broken windows, and emergency responders in overdrive, as broadcast by IRIB.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced one Chinese citizen killed in Tehran amid the military exchanges, offering sympathies to the family. About 3,000 Chinese have been safely extracted from the volatile region by March 2. Iran persists in hitting American positions overseas, but the human cost at home is skyrocketing. With connectivity crippled, verifying events becomes a herculean task, fueling global anxiety over the spiraling crisis.