US reacts to PM Modi-Iran president Pezeshkian meet; issues warning to countries 'helping' Tehran - The Times of India

**Washington Reacts to Modi‑Pezeshkian Meeting, Issues Stark Warning on Iran Sanctions**

New Delhi’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iran’s senior envoy, Masoud Pezeshkian, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, a gathering that has drawn heightened scrutiny amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral issues, including energy cooperation, regional security, and the prospects of reviving trade ties that have been largely dormant since Tehran’s renewed missile tests and its nuclear enrichment activities drew renewed sanctions from the United States and Europe. While officials in New Delhi emphasized the “constructive” nature of the dialogue, they stopped short of announcing any concrete agreements, signalling that the meeting was more about maintaining diplomatic channels than launching new commercial ventures.

The United States responded swiftly. Senator Marco Rubio, Republican chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that “no country should create avenues that help Iran evade the sanctions that the international community has imposed to curb its destabilising behaviour.” In a press briefing, Rubio reiterated that U.S. sanctions remain in place until Tehran demonstrates full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and ceases support for militant proxies across the region. He called on allied governments to tighten enforcement mechanisms and to scrutinise any financial or logistical assistance that could be construed as facilitating Iran’s procurement of advanced technology or weaponry.

Analysts note that the U.S. admonition underscores the delicate balancing act faced by India, which seeks to deepen its strategic partnership with both Washington and Tehran while navigating its own energy security concerns. Trade between India and Iran has been limited to oil imports, which were curtailed after the U.S. re‑imposed sanctions in 2020. Any move by New Delhi to expand economic ties could invite secondary sanctions, potentially straining Indo‑U.S. relations. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, Washington’s warning serves as a reminder that diplomatic engagements with Tehran will be closely monitored for any signs of sanction evasion.