Bhubaneswar, March 6 -- India on Thursday condoled the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on February 28 in what has been described as the opening phase of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book on behalf of the Government and people of India. The move came as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a phone conversation with Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the evolving situation.

Confirming the development, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Misri conveyed condolences on the demise of Khamenei during his visit to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. India's outreach...