External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi on Monday and discussed the West Asia situation and the ongoing tensions in the Red Sea.

Both the ministers agreed to remain in close touch for further discussions.

“Appreciated the call from FM @badralbusaidi of Oman. Discussed the West Asia situation and concerns about the Red Sea. Agreed to remain in close touch,” EAM Jaishankar posted on social media X.

The Houthis have been targeting the commercial ships in the Red Sea owned by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with Gaza.

The Houthi rebels, who are an Iran-aligned group, have said that they will not stop attacking until Israel ends the hostilities in Gaza.

Recently, the US and UK launched air and surface strikes, which also included fighter jets, against Houthi sites in Yemen.

The strikes on Houthis in Yemen come a day after the US carried out strikes in Syria and Iraq on Iranian-linked militia positions there.

Last week, amid the ongoing escalations in the Red Sea, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it is a matter of concern for India.