India Calls for Restraint Amid West Asia Tensions

India expressed 'extreme concern' over tensions in West Asia following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The country urged restraint amid fears of Iranian retaliation and highlighted the safety of Indian nationals in Lebanon and Iran. Other countries have also advised their citizens to leave Lebanon.

India on Thursday expressed 'extreme concern' over the escalating tensions in West Asia following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The country has called for immediate restraint amid fears of an Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel.

The region has been unsettled since Haniyeh's killing last week. Iran has held Israel responsible for the assassination and has vowed to respond at an appropriate time. There are also fears that the Hezbollah militant group, backed by Iran and based in Lebanon, may join the retaliation efforts.

'The situation in West Asia is of extreme concern to us. There are around 3,000 Indian nationals in Lebanon and 10,000 people in Iran,' said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during his weekly media briefing. Indian embassies have issued advisories for vigilance and caution. Several countries, including the US and UK, have also asked their citizens to leave Lebanon.

(With inputs from agencies.)