Zarif: The Assassination of Soleimani will Mark the End of the American Presence in the Region

In an exclusive interview with India Today TV on Wednesday, he added that In 430 Indian cities, there were mourning processions, demonstrations against this action. The anger, the rage of the people of the region is something "we hope" will not lead to non-political consequences. There will surely be political consequences.

"The action by the US was the beginning of the end of US presence in our region. I hope it would be limited to that," said Zarif hoping that the ramifications would be limited to political consequences and not spill over and become an internal issue.

Iran, a key partner of both India and Pakistan, hopes that the neighbors work out their differences to build a peaceful region. Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, in an exclusive conversation with India Today TV, said that a peaceful India and Pakistan are best for the region and that Tehran is willing to extend its good offices if asked.

"We have very good relations with both Pakistan and India. We hope that the difficulties between India and Pakistan are resolved amicably. If Iran can offer any assistance, we offer our help but we don't want to intervene. We are prepared to use our good offices," Zarif said.

The foreign minister met with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar as well as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and called on Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday when he was in New Delhi to attend a three-day global conference in the capital.

A statement issued by PMO said the Prime Minister "reiterated India's continued commitment to developing her strong and friendly relations with Iran. He thanked Iranian leadership for the progress in Chabahar project, including through designating it as Special Economic Zone."

This is the first foreign visit of the Iranian foreign minister after the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani by the US in an airstrike near the airport in Baghdad, Iraq.

To a question on whether these tensions would impact India's Chabahar port project, the minister said, "On Chabahar, it all depends on how India deals with the US because the US has exempted Chabahar from sanctions. I hope that would be something that they would work on."

The Iranian foreign minister also reminded India of the close connection between the two nations and how an entire community of Shias got up to protest the killing of Soleimani in various parts of India. The one demand that Iran now has is that the US forces leave the region.

While Iran retaliated against the US actions, it has hit conciliatory notes to bring down the tensions and work towards de-escalation in the region.

"The United States carried out a serious act of aggression which had serious implications. It had implications on Iraqi security because they took military action against an Iraqi target inside Iraq from Iraqi territory. That is a triple violation of international conventions. The Iraqis responded by asking the US to leave. That is one implication. They killed Iran's revered General in Iraq along with his accompanying delegation. Iran responded in self-defense against the base from which the targeting had taken place. That was our response."