New Delhi, February 28 – The Congress party on Saturday condemned the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran and urged the Union government to intervene and end "the hostilities," while also ensuring the safety of Indians in the region.
"For weeks, President Trump has maintained the charade of diplomacy and negotiations with Iran. Encouraged by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and hawks in the US, he has launched a military offensive aimed at achieving regime change," posted Jairam Ramesh, general secretary of the Congress party in charge of communication, publicity, and media, on the social media platform X.
"The INC condemns this attack and calls upon the Government of India to help bring the hostilities to an immediate end. The Government of India must take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the millions of Indians who live and work in the West Asia region," added the Congress MP.
This followed the dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East following the joint military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. This offensive marks one of the most significant confrontations in the region in recent times.
While Washington reportedly carried out precision airstrikes on suspected missile sites and command centers across Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, Israeli forces were said to have focused on locations linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard and alleged drone production hubs.
This came after mounting rhetoric from Washington and Tel Aviv accusing Tehran of destabilizing the region through proxy militias and advancing its nuclear program beyond agreed limits.
While the United States framed the strikes as necessary to curb Iran's "aggressive posture," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the operation "a decisive step to ensure regional security."
Critics, however, warned that the move risks igniting a wider conflict across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media denounced the attacks as "an act of war," with reports of Tehran launching missile strikes on Israel and American bases in Gulf countries.
As the situation develops, the world watches anxiously, fearing that this confrontation could spiral into a prolonged war with far-reaching consequences.
While Iran itself hosts a smaller expatriate community, the broader Middle East remains home to nearly 9 million Indians.
The United Arab Emirates leads with about 3.4 million workers, followed by 2.6 million in Saudi Arabia, 1 million in Kuwait, 7.5 lakh in Qatar, and about 7 lakh in Oman. Many are employed in construction, services, and healthcare.
New Delhi is closely monitoring the developments, emphasizing contingency plans to safeguard citizens in Iran and neighboring Gulf states.