'India can play a role in de-escalating tensions in Gulf': Iran FM Javad Zarif meets PM Modi, NSA Doval

Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval amid Gulf nation's prevailing tension with the United States. 

While it was not known what was discussed in the meeting with Modi, Zarif gave Doval firsthand account of the situation prevailing in Gulf region.

Zarif arrived in India on Tuesday on a three-day visit in the midst of spiralling tension between Iran and the US over the killing of Iranian general Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani.

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

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

Speaking at an event in Delhi, Zarif launched a tirade against the US, saying that only President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ISIS are celebrating the death of Soleimani.

"Who is celebrating the death of Gen Soleimani? It is Trump, Pompeo, and Daesh (ISIS). Are they strange bedfellows ?" he said at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

"The war against Daesh (ISIS) just suffered a major setback. Daesh just won a major victory, " he added. 

On Iranian missile strike at on two US bases in Iraq, Zarif said Iran has concluded its self defence and "if US responds, we will."

Over a dozen missiles were launched last week targeting at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil, in Iraq. The strike was launched in retaliation to the killing of Soleimani. 

The Iranian Foreign Minister said that protest against US action was held not just in Iran but in other parts of the world including India. 

"430 Indian cities saw protests after US killing General Soleimani," he said, without giving more details on the source of the information.