While the US and Israel carried out military strikes in Iran, leaders from Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party criticized the Centre’s response.
As the United States and Israel carried out military strikes in Iran that led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a fierce political exchange erupted in India, with opposition leaders questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy choices amid rising tensions in West Asia and the Middle East.
Leaders from the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticized the Centre’s response. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party responded strongly, accusing the opposition of making irresponsible statements during a sensitive global crisis.
Jairam Ramesh questions Modi’s foreign policy
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said India’s foreign policy under Vishwaguru had become “brutally exposed”. In a detailed post on the X website, he accused the Prime Minister of remaining silent regarding many international developments. He claimed that the US President repeatedly claimed that he intervened to stop Operation Sindor in May 2025, and said that the first announcement of the halt was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He also criticized the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Israel, noting that it took place despite clear signs of an imminent US-Israeli strike on Iran.
Priyanka Gandhi calls Khamenei’s killing “disgraceful”
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as “despicable”.
“The targeted assassination of the leadership of a sovereign nation by so-called leaders of the democratic world and the killing of large numbers of innocent people is despicable and deserves strong condemnation, regardless of the stated reason for doing so,” she wrote in a post on X.
She added that many countries had now been drawn into conflict and said that the world needed peace, not more unnecessary wars. Referring to a quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, she said: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” She also urged the Prime Minister to ensure the safe return of Indian citizens from the affected countries.
Sanjay Singh is seeking clarification from the government
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh termed Khamenei’s death as the end of an era and highlighted India’s longstanding ties with Iran.
In his post on the
BJP responds to Congress
The BJP strongly criticized the Congress for targeting the Prime Minister during the ongoing international crisis. Party spokesman Gaurav Bhatia said Congress used to make “negative comments” on sensitive issues. He described the party’s statements as irresponsible and urged opposition leaders to trust the government.
Referring to the comments made by Ramesh and other Congress leaders on the Prime Minister’s visit to Israel and the timing of the strikes, the BJP said such statements were “childish” and not in the national interest.
The government’s response to the American-Israeli attack
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded to US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday by calling for restraint. “India is deeply concerned about the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. We urge all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritize the safety of civilians,” the MEA statement said.
Addressing concerns about Indian nationals in the Middle East, where the strikes have led to counter-attacks by Iran across US bases near cities, the State Department said: “Our missions in the region are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate warnings asking them to remain vigilant, stay in touch with missions, and follow local security directives.”
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgment and a clear understanding of what makes a story important and action-driven. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya strikes a thoughtful balance between news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring that stories resonate beyond the immediate headlines. Over the course of her three-year journey in digital news, Shivya has worked across a wide range of industries, including politics, civic issues, human interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to engage with stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is analyzing complex developments or shedding light on everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human interest stories, interviews and explanations that provide depth and clarity, and aims to go beyond superficial reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Before joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a wide range of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism. Outside of the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cozy spaces, and thoughtful conversation. Shopping is another hobby she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of making unexpected finds. Above all, she values the time she spends with her loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that last a long time.Read more
