India can play role in de-escalating tensions in Gulf region, says Iran's Javad Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrives in New Delhi (Reuters Photo)

India can play a role in de-escalating tensions in the Gulf region as New Delhi is an important player, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Wednesday.

His remarks come amid tensions between the US and Iran over the killing of Iranian general Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani.

India has been maintaining that it would like the situation to de-escalate as soon as possible and the country has been in touch with key players, including Iran, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, as it has important interests in the region.

"India can play a role in de-escalating tensions in the Gulf region as New Delhi is an important player," Zarif told PTI.

Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force, was killed when a US drone fired missiles on his convoy in Iraq on January 3.

Last week, Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases where US military and coalition forces' are stationed in Iraq.

Soleimani's killing was the most dramatic escalation yet in spiraling tensions between Iran and the US. PTI MPB