NEW DELHI, May 25: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi dialled Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday and is believed to have apprised him of Tehran’s negotiations with Washington to end the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
The phone conversation came amid indications that the US and Iran are looking at a preliminary deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before hammering out a comprehensive peace agreement.
“Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri received a call from Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of Iran @TakhtRavanchi,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media.
“Discussions focused on recent developments in the region and a review of bilateral cooperation,” he said.
IRAN CONSULATE TAKES A SWIPE AT RUBIO
The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad on Monday took a swipe at the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the Taj Mahal, saying the monument was crafted by the genius of Iranian architects and accused the US of “threatening” to wipe out Iranian civilisation.
Rubio visited the Taj Mahal with his wife, Jeanette Rubio, on Monday, describing the famed Mughal era monument as “one of the love treasures of the world”.
The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran-Hyderabad, in a post on ‘X’ said: “If Rubio knew the history or architecture, he wouldn’t have posed for a picture here. This monument was built out of love for the emperor’s Iranian wife, crafted by the genius of Iranian architects – meanwhile, his government today threatens to wipe out Iranian civilisation, insulting other civilisations.” Obviously, the Consulate was referring to the “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again, if a deal is not reached,” remark made by US President Donald Trump on April 7, targeting Iran, during the Iran–US/Israel conflict.
The Consulate tagged a photo of Rubio with his wife taken in front of the Taj Mahal to its post.
Rubio, who is on a four-day visit to India, arrived in Agra on Monday and visited the famed monument amid heavy security arrangements, local officials said.
The US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory strikes. (PTI)
