Iran security chief speaks to NSA Ajit Doval on call, discusses ‘issues of mutual interest’

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei held a telephone conversation with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Monday to discuss the prevailing security situation in West Asia, amid escalating regional tensions and a series of attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure and commercial vessels operating in the Gulf.

The Iranian embassy, in a social media post, said Rezaei and Doval exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments and matters of mutual interest to the two countries.

Although details of the conversation were not disclosed, the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, including its airports, are understood to have figured prominently in the discussions. The two officials are also believed to have discussed the growing threats to merchant shipping in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

There was no immediate official statement from the Indian side regarding the telephone conversation.

𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀

The talks came a day after India strongly condemned a major attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 12 people, including an Indian national, and left more than 300 injured.

New Delhi described the repeated targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia as unacceptable and called for an immediate cessation of such attacks.

The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of Indian nationals living and working in the Gulf region, where a substantial Indian expatriate population is employed across various sectors.

India has consistently maintained that the West Asia crisis must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, while emphasising the need to protect civilians and critical infrastructure.

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸

The security situation has become particularly concerning for India following attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members.

A merchant vessel, MT Petro Dolphin, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), two Indian crew members were reported missing following the incident.

Another vessel, MT Valthera, also carrying 11 Indian crew members, was struck by an unidentified projectile, triggering a fire onboard.

The MEA subsequently confirmed that all 11 Indian seafarers aboard MT Valthera were safe.

The attacks have renewed concerns over maritime security in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major international shipping passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀

The attacks on merchant vessels are understood to have been discussed during the conversation between Doval and Rezaei, given India's concerns over the safety of its seafarers and the security of commercial shipping routes.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage for global energy supplies, and any prolonged disruption to maritime traffic could affect international trade and oil shipments.

For India, the security of the region carries particular significance because of its energy requirements, extensive trade relations with Gulf countries and the large number of Indian nationals working aboard international merchant vessels.

New Delhi has repeatedly called for restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent further deterioration of the regional security environment.

𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀

The Doval-Rezaei conversation comes as India continues diplomatic engagement with countries in West Asia over the widening security crisis.

While the Iranian embassy confirmed that the two officials had exchanged views on regional and international developments, it did not provide details of any specific understanding reached during the conversation.

India has maintained that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to resolving the crisis and preventing further attacks on civilians, commercial vessels and critical infrastructure.

With Indian nationals affected by the recent attacks and two seafarers still reported missing, the security situation in West Asia remains a matter of immediate concern for New Delhi.