Modi Engages Israel, UAE Leaders on West Asia Conflict

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in urgent diplomatic outreach on Sunday, March 1, 2026, speaking with leaders from Israel and the United Arab Emirates amid escalating conflict in West Asia that has claimed the life of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory strikes across the region.

The crisis intensified following joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, which Iranian state media and U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed killed Khamenei along with several family members. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting military installations and civilian areas in several Gulf countries, including the UAE. The UAE's defense ministry reported intercepting 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 541 drones since the onset of the Iranian assault. These strikes resulted in three fatalities—of Pakistani, Nepali, and Bangladeshi nationalities—and 58 injuries in the UAE, with one Indian national among the wounded but now reported out of danger.

Modi first telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the unfolding regional situation. In a post on X, Modi stated he had conveyed...