Middle East crisis: Jaishankar speaks to Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi for fourth time since war started to discuss bilateral relations

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a fourth phone conversation on Thursday amid continued tensions in the Middle East.Jaishankar posted on X that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and issues related to the BRICS grouping.“Speaked again last night with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Bilateral affairs as well as BRICS-related issues were discussed,” he wrote.The latest interaction follows a series of phone calls between the two ministers since clashes broke out in the region on February 28. Earlier this week, the two leaders discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel for global energy supplies.During that conversation, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of ensuring safe merchant shipping in the waterways that connect the Persian Gulf to global trade routes.According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the two sides also discussed the impact of the ongoing conflict on maritime traffic in the region.Iran said the instability affecting shipping in the Persian Gulf was the result of the United States’ “aggressive and destabilizing actions” and called on the international community to hold Washington accountable.Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Araghchi also expressed concern about the consequences of U.S. and Israeli military actions on regional stability and maritime security.Meanwhile, Jaishankar stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening bilateral relations between New Delhi and Tehran. He also stressed the need for continued consultations to help restore stability to the region.