As SCO Condemns Israel for Attack on Iran, India Dissociates Itself from Statement
New Delhi: Underscoring its own unwillingness to criticise Israel, India today (June 14) distanced itself from a statement issued by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which strongly condemned Tel Aviv's military strikes on Iran and characterised them as violations of international law and the UN Charter.The Israeli strikes on June 13 targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites, reportedly killing 78 people, including three senior security officials, the country's top nuclear negotiatior Ali Shamkhani, and causing damage to the Natanz nuclear facility. In response, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones early Saturday, resulting in at least three fatalities and injuring dozens more.In a strongly worded statement today, the SCO said member states had expressed concern and 'strongly condemn' the Israeli strikes.'Such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including energy and transport infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties, are a gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. They constitute an infringement on Iran's sovereignty, cause damage to regional and international security, and pose serious risks to global peace and stability,' it said. Iran is also a member of the 10-member grouping. The SCO statement did not indicate that any member had dissociated from it. However, India issued a separate statement almost concurrently, clarifying that it was not part of the SCO's decision-making on this matter.India said that its position had been communicated to other SCO members. 'Keeping that in mind, India did not participate in the discussions on the above-mentioned SCO statement,' it said.It noted that India had already articulated in its position on Friday. 'We urge that channels of dialogue and diplomacy be utilised to work towards de-escalation and it is essential that the international community undertake endeavours in that direction,' said the statement.India has so far only said that it was 'deeply concerned' at the 'recent developments between Iran and Israel'.The latest MEA statement also noted that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had spoken to his Iranian counterpart on Friday, conveying what India described as the international community's 'deep concern' over the situation. He had also urged both sides to avoid further escalation and return to diplomatic channels at the earliest.A day earlier in New York, India abstained on a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, marking a reversal from its support for a similar resolution in the same body six months ago.While India limited itself to expressing concern, other Asian countries reacted more forcefully to the Israeli strikes.Japan's foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya issued a statement on Friday condemning Israel's actions in unequivocal terms. The use of military means amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including US-Iran talks aimed at the peaceful resolution of Iran's nuclear issue, is completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable. The Government of Japan strongly condemns these actions,' he said. While Japan acknowledged Iran's retaliatory response, it did not condemn Tehran, instead expressing concern about the exchange of attacks and calling for restraint.China also denounced the Israeli strikes, describing them as violations of Iran's sovereignty. 'China is closely following Israel's attacks on Iran and is deeply concerned about the potential grave consequences of the operations,' said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian. He said China opposed actions that 'violate Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity' and called on all sides to avoid further escalation. Beijing currently holds the rotational chairmanship of the group.South Korea expressed 'deep concern over the sharp rise in tensions following Israel's attacks on Iran' and said it 'strongly condemns all actions that destabilize the region'. A foreign ministry spokesperson urged all parties to 'exercise maximum restraint to help de-escalate the situation'.Other Asian countries had more muted responses. Vietnam and the Philippines, both of which have diplomatic relations with Israel, did not issue any public statement. Singapore said it was 'deeply concerned' and urged 'all parties to exercise restraint and to de-escalate'The largest south-east Asian economy, Indonesia, and a country that does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, issued a strong condemnation. Its foreign ministry called Israel's attack on Iran an 'unlawful act' that 'undermines the very foundations of international law'.Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim posted on X that he condemned 'in the strongest possible terms, the Israeli military strikes in Iran, including targeted attacks that have killed senior Iranian leaders'.'Its clear aim is to sabotage the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. It also comes amid renewed scrutiny of Israel's conduct in Gaza and mounting political pressure on [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu,' he wrote.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iran Urges India To Condemn Israel Attack, Hopes Pakistan Won't Side With US In Gaza Conflict
/ Jun 20, 2025, 05:37PM IST Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission in India, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, has called upon India to openly condemn Israel over its military actions in Gaza. Labeling India the "voice of the Global South," Hosseini said countries that support peace must coordinate to pressure Israel and halt the aggression. 'They must first condemn Israel,' he insisted. When asked about reports of Pakistan potentially aiding US interests in the region following its Army Chief's recent US visit, Hosseini added, 'I hope Pakistan will not go for that one and will stand with Iran against Israeli aggression.' The statement signals mounting unease in West Asia as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to spiral, drawing in global powers and regional rivals. Will India take a stand? And where does Pakistan really stand in this geopolitical tug-of-war?#iranindiastatement #israelgazawar #pakistanusnexus #indiaglobalsouth #iranpakistanalliance #middleeastcrisis #iranisraelconflict #modigazaposition #indiairanrelations #iranuspakistan #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews
India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
Iran-Israel war: Can US' GBU-57 bunker buster destroy Iran's underground Fordow nuclear site? Experts make stunning claim, say Trump is unsure of...
Trump is unsure whether the GBU-57 bunker buster can take out Iran's Fordow nuclear site. (File) Iran-Israel war: US President Donald Trump has threatened to join its ally Israel in its war against Iran, demanding an 'unconditional surrender' from Tehran, and even threatening to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. However, beyond the war rhetoric, Trump remains undecided on whether to commit the United States to a war in the Middle East which it may not be able to pull out of for at least 5-10 years, especially since the US President remains skeptical about whether its lethal bunker buster bombs have the capability to destroy Iran's underground Fordow nuclear facility. Trump unsure about bunker buster's ability to destroy Fordow site According to defense experts, Donald Trump is unsure whether even the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster, aka the 'mother of all bombs', would be able to destroy the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which is basically buried beneath a gigantic mountain, and is protected by multiple units of Russian-made S-300 air defense systems. As per media reports, Trump has told defense officials that the US would be justified in attacking Iran only if the bunker buster bomb is guaranteed to destroy the uranium enrichment facility at Fordow. The US President was told that the gargantuan 30,000lbs (13.6 tonne) GBU-57 bunker buster would destroy the Fordow facility, but Trump remains unconvinced, and as such has not yet given the green light for America to join the Israel-Iran war. Additionally, experts believe that Trump is also looking at the possibility of Iran coming to the table for a 'deal' due to fear of US involvement in the Iran-Israel war. US would need tactical nukes to take out Fordow? The GBU-57, aka the bunker buster bomb, is a 30,000 pound bomb which is dropped using the US' B2 stealth bombers, and while its capable of taking out any other hardened underground facility, the Fordow site is unique as it has been specially built to withstand US' capabilities, particularly its ultra-heavy bunker buster bombs. The Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant is a hardened, ultra-secure nuclear facility built deep beneath a mountain, and surrounded by tall peaks on all sides. The mountainous terrain renders even the most advanced cruise missiles ineffective, and the site is protected by a large number of air defense systems concentrated in a small region, making it almost impossible for any missile or drone to go through. US defense officials believe that only a tactical nuclear weapon would be able to completely destroy the Fordow nuclear facility, but Trump is not in favor of using nukes to attack the site. Quoting people familiar with the matter, The Guardian reported that Israeli intelligence estimates that the Fordow nuclear plant, which is built under a mountain near the Qom city, could be up to 90 meters deep. To reach such a depth, the US would have to have to weaken the ground with conventional bombs and then drop a tactical nuclear bomb from a B2 bomber to wipe out the entire facility. However, Donald Trump, at least for now, is not in favor of using the nuclear option, the report said.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iran's internet blackout leaves public in dark and creates an uneven picture of the war with Israel
As the war between Israel and Iran hits the one-week mark, Iranians have spent nearly half of the conflict in a near-communication blackout, unable to connect not only with the outside world but also with their neighbors and loved ones across the country. Civilians are left unaware of when and where Israel will strike next, despite Israeli forces issuing warnings through their Persian-language online channels. When the missiles land, disconnected phone and web services mean not knowing for hours or days if their family or friends are among the victims. That's left many scrambling on various social media apps to see what's happening - again, only a glimpse of life able to reach the internet in a nation of over 80 million people. Activists see it as a form of psychological warfare for a nation all-too familiar with state information controls and targeted internet shutdowns during protests and unrest. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Toyota RAV4 Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) GoSearches | Search Ads Undo "The Iranian regime controls the information sphere really, really tightly," Marwa Fatafta, the Berlin-based policy and advocacy director for digital rights group Access Now, said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We know why the Iranian regime shuts down. It wants to control information. So their goal is quite clear." War with Israel tightens information space Live Events But this time, it's happening during a deadly conflict that erupted on June 13 with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based group called Human Rights Activists. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli military estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's multitiered air defenses, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds others wounded. Guidance from Israeli authorities, as well as round-the-clock news broadcasts, flows freely and consistently to Israeli citizens, creating in the last seven days an uneven picture of the death and destruction brought by the war. The Iranian government contended Friday that it was Israel who was "waging a war on truth and human conscience." In a post on X, a social media platform blocked for many of its citizens, Iran's Foreign Ministry asserted Israel banned foreign media from covering missile strikes. The statement added that Iran would organize "global press tours to expose Israel's war crimes " in the country. Iran is one of the world's top jailer of journalists, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, and in the best of times, reporters face strict restrictions. Internet-access advocacy group reported on Friday that Iran had been disconnected from the global internet for 36 hours, with its live metrics showing that national connectivity remained at only a few percentage points of normal levels. The group said a handful of users have been able to maintain connectivity through virtual private networks. Few avenues exist to get information Those lucky few have become lifelines for Iranians left in the dark. In recent days, those who have gained access to mobile internet for a limited time describe using that fleeting opportunity to make calls on behalf of others, checking in on elderly parents and grandparents, and locating those who have fled Tehran. The only access to information Iranians do have is limited to websites in the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Iran's state-run television and radio stations offer irregular updates on what's happening inside the country, instead focusing their time on the damage wrought by their strikes on Israel. The lack of information going in or out of Iran is stunning, considering that the advancement of technology in recent decades has only brought far-flung conflicts in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and elsewhere directly to a person's phone anywhere in the world. That direct line has been seen by experts as a powerful tool to shift public opinion about any ongoing conflict and potentially force the international community to take a side. It has also turned into real action from world leaders under public and online pressure to act or use their power to bring an end to the fighting. But Mehdi Yahyanejad, a key figure in promoting internet freedom in Iran, said that the Islamic Republic is seeking to "purport an image" of strength, one that depicts only the narrative that Israel is being destroyed by sophisticated Iranian weapons that include ballistic missiles with multiple warheads. "I think most likely they're just afraid of the internet getting used to cause mass unrest in the next phase of whatever is happening," Yahayanejad said. "I mean, some of it could be, of course, planned by the Israelis through their agents on the ground, and some of this could be just a spontaneous unrest by the population once they figure out that the Iranian government is badly weakened.
