Trump says Iran appears to be standing down, US ready to embrace peace

In a significant move to de-escalate the tensions in the Middle East, United States president Donald Trump offered to embrace peace along with the Iranian leadership on Wednesday (January 8) and added that no Americans were harmed in the attack by Iran on its bases in Iraq.

“We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases,” Trump said in an address to the nation from the White House Grand Foyer.

His remarks came hours after Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces’ are stationed in Iraq, which Tehran said was a “slap in the face” of America.

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According to Iranian state TV, the attacks were in revenge for the killing of the commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards, General Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike on Friday, which was ordered by Trump.

The Iranian state television claimed that “at least 80 terrorist US soldiers” were killed in the strikes. Some 5,000 US soldiers are in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the IS terror group.

“No Americans were harmed in last night’s attack by the Iranian regime,” Trump said as he described Gen Soleimani as a “ruthless terrorist.”

The nuclear question

Trump also vowed that he will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. “As long as I’m President of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

In a direct message to the Iranian leaders and the people, Trump said the United States is “ready to embrace peace with all who seek it. To the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future and a great future, one that you deserve,” Trump said.

Will welcome any Indian peace initiative, says Iran

Meanwhile, Iran’s envoy to India, Ali Chegeni said Iran will welcome any peace initiative by India to de-escalate tensions with the US. He also expressed the hope there would be no further escalation in hostilities between his country and the US.

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“India usually plays a very good role in (maintaining) peace in the world. India belongs to this region. We welcome all initiatives from all countries, especially India as a good friend for us, to not allow escalation (of tensions). We are not for war, we are looking for peace and prosperity for everybody in this region. We welcome any Indian initiative or any project that can help peace and prosperity in this world,” Chegeni said.

Iranian external affairs minister to visit India

Amid spiralling tensions, external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Sunday had a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, voicing India’s concerns over the escalation of tensions.

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Meanwhile, sources said Zarif is expected to visit India to attend the Raisina Dialogue next week. During his visit, Zarif will also hold talks with Jaishankar, sources said.

Jaishankar dials key stakeholders in Middle East

India has reached out to several stakeholders in the region over the security situation prevailing in the Middle East. Jaishankar has also separately spoken with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Alawi, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well his Jordanian and Qatari counterparts Ayman Safadi and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani respectively, on the tense situation in the region.

DGCA asks airlines to reroute flights

Hours after a Ukrainian plane with 176 people on-board crashed near Tehran in Iran, aviation regulator DGCA asked Indian airlines to take all precautions in the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Gulf of Oman and waters of the Persian Gulf, and reroute their flights to ensure the safety of passengers.

A senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Wednesday evening, “In view of the impending tension in the Middle East, all air operators are directed to take appropriate precautionary measures including rerouting of their flights in order to ensure complete safety of passengers.”

Navy deploys warship in Gulf region

The Indian Navy has deployed warships in the Gulf region to ensure the security of India’s sea-borne trade and effectively respond to any emergent situation in the wake of fast escalating tension between the US and Iran, officials said on Wednesday.

The Indian Navy said warships and aircraft were deployed to establish presence, provide a sense of reassurance to the Indian merchant men, monitor the ongoing situation and respond to any emergent crises.

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“Indian Navy continues to monitor the situation in the Gulf region and is maintaining a presence in the region to ensure the security of our sea-borne trade and the safety of Indian Flag Merchant Vessels transiting through the region,” it said in a statement.

Act fast to make sure Indians in Gulf are safe: Amarinder to Centre

Meanwhile, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh urged the Central government to take urgent steps to ensure the safety and security of the 10 million Indians in the Gulf region amid escalating tension between the US and Iran.

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In a statement Amarinder said, “India could not afford to simply wait and watch, or to just monitor the situation, given the rising stakes in view of the threats and counter-threats between the US and Iran.”

His reaction came after the Ministry of External Affairs’ statement that it was keeping a close watch on the situation. The CM emphasised that the Indian government should immediately direct their embassies in the region to connect with the Indians settled there, and provide all possible help to them in this hour of crisis.