Iran FM Araghchi Travels To Delhi On Flight ‘#Minab168’ For BRICS Talks

Iran continues efforts to draw global attention to the US-Israel strikes in the country, with the Minab school strike becoming a major event in the conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in India aboard an aircraft named “Minab168”, a reference to the 168 girls killed in a missile strike on a school in the Iranian city of Minab after the war began.

Araghchi travelled to India to attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi. The symbolic gesture was seen as part of Tehran’s effort to highlight civilian casualties linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Minab School Strike

The Minab school strike has drawn international attention since the Iran war began on February 28. Preliminary US investigative

material reportedly indicated that American forces likely struck the school, although formal conclusions and accountability processes were still incomplete in the latest reports.

Several international investigations, including reports by The New York Times and Reuters, along with open-source analysts, concluded that the school was hit during coordinated strikes targeting a nearby IRGC naval base. Satellite imagery, videos and munition analysis reportedly pointed towards cruise missile-type weapons consistent with US Tomahawk capabilities.

Reports citing unnamed US officials said military investigators had preliminarily assessed that US forces were likely responsible. The strike was reportedly linked to outdated targeting data that incorrectly located the school in relation to a military target. Investigations were still continuing.

Araghchi in New Delhi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in India on Wednesday for a three-day official visit centred around the two-day BRICS meeting. The visit marks Tehran’s first high-level diplomatic engagement with India since the outbreak of the US-Israel war involving Iran more than two months ago.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed Araghchi on Thursday with a handshake and a brief exchange of words at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, which is taking place amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Araghchi is also expected to hold detailed bilateral talks with Jaishankar. Discussions are likely to focus on the worsening security situation in West Asia as fighting involving Iran, the United States and Israel continues.

Strait of Hormuz Concerns

The strategically important Strait of Hormuz is expected to feature prominently during talks between India and Iran. India is likely to raise concerns about the safe movement of merchant vessels through the narrow waterway, which is critical for global crude oil and LNG supplies.

Global oil and gas prices have seen major volatility after Iran effectively moved to restrict maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries nearly 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.

Since the war began, Araghchi and Jaishankar have held several phone conversations as Tehran sought to maintain close engagement with New Delhi during the conflict.

Meeting With Prime Minister Modi

Araghchi and other BRICS foreign ministers are also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as part of the high-level diplomatic engagements linked to the conclave in New Delhi.