S Jaishankar Holds Discussion With Iranian Counterpart After General Soleimani Killed in US Drone Attack, Says 'Developments Have Taken Serious Turn'

New Delhi, January 5: India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held a discussion with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif over the tensions prevailing in the Middle East days after Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qaseem Soleimani was killed in the United States drone attack on January 3. Jaishankar termed the ongoing US-Iran face-off as "very serious". Iraq: Two Mortar Rounds Hit Baghdad's Green Zone, Two Rockets Slam Into Base Housing US Troops: Reports.

The Indian Foreign Minister tweeted, “Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch." Iran Warns of 'Severe Revenge' After US Kills Top General Qassem Soleimani.

S Jaishankar's Tweet:

Just concluded a conversation with FM @JZarif of Iran. Noted that developments have taken a very serious turn. India remains deeply concerned about the levels of tension. We agreed to remain in touch.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 5, 2020

After two mortar rounds hit the Iraqi capital's Green Zone and two rockets slammed into a base housing US troops on Saturday, US President Donald Trump warned Iran that if it strikes any Americans or American assets now, the US has "targeted 52 Iranian sites" and it "will be hit very fast and very hard." India Reacts to General Qassem Soleimani's Assassination, Appeals to US, Iran to 'Exercise Restraint'.

Trump tweeted, “Let this serve as a warning that if Iran strikes any Americans or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing 52 American hostages taken by Iran many yrs ago), some at a very high level and important to Iran and Iranian culture, will be hit very fast and hard.”

Donald Trump's Tweets:

....hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020

....targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020

Trump on Saturday termed the killing of General Soleimani as an act “to stop a war, not to start a war”. After killing the top Iranian commander, the US claimed that Qassem was plotting attacks on US diplomats and military personnel. The attack came just days after Hashd members and supporters attempted to storm the US Embassy in Baghdad, in response to the air attacks against Kataib Hezbollah.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2020 07:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).