Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday conveyed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian India’s “deep concern” over Iran’s conflict with Israel and called for immediate de-escalation of the situation through “dialogue and diplomacy”. The phone conversation between Modi and Pezeshkian came hours after the US bombed three major nuclear sites —  Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in Iran, bringing itself into the Israel-Iran conflict.

In a social media post, Modi said he expressed “deep concern” at the recent escalations and that “dialogue and diplomacy” are the way forward for early restoration of regional peace. “Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability,” Modi said.

The US attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities triggered fears of a wider regional conflict, with many leading countries and blocs calling for restraint. Soon after American B-2 bombers struck the Iranian installations, US President Donald Trump said the Iranian nuclear facilities were “completely and totally obliterated”. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US has committed a “grave violation” of the UN Charter, international law and the nuclear non-proliferation treaty by attacking Iran’s “peaceful nuclear installations”.