India, Aug. 1 -- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which he expressed India's deep concern over the escalating hostilities in the Middle East and urged all parties to refrain from targeting commercial shipping and seafarers.

Sharing details of the conversation on X, Jaishankar wrote: "Had a tele-conversation with FM @araghchi of Iran this evening. Conveyed our deep concerns at the ongoing hostilities in the region."

He added: "Strongly urged that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided under any circumstance. India condemns any such attack by any party."

Jaishankar's remarks came amid a surge in missile and drone att...