Hervé Delphin, the European Union Ambassador to India, has called for a de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf region, stressing the importance of considering long-term consequences when making public statements. With the US imposing a deadline for Iran to accept a 15-point peace proposal or face military repercussions, Delphin highlighted the critical nature of restoring maritime freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil passage. He noted that the Gulf countries have experienced increased drone and missile attacks from Iran in response to US and Israeli strikes, which have intensified since late February. Delphin also mentioned ongoing consultations between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and EU foreign policy representatives to address the situation. Additionally, he pointed out that both India and the EU are looking to collaborate on renewable energy solutions to reduce reliance on jet fuel, which is a critical choke point for both regions. As tensions rise, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that over 14 million citizens are prepared to defend the country, coinciding with the impending US deadline.