In a major gesture of goodwill, Iran has offered to assist Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala, who is currently on death row in Yemen. This development aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to explore legal avenues to save her life. Meanwhile, Iran is also pushing for the revival of trade ties with India, including the resumption of oil exports, amidst discussions on geopolitical issues in Gaza and West Asia.

A senior Iranian official revealed Tehran’s willingness to intervene in Priya's case, emphasizing the humanitarian angle. "We are prepared to extend all possible assistance, as this case raises significant humanitarian concerns," stated the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other key regions remain under the control of Iran-backed Houthi rebels, adding complexity to the case.

Priya has been incarcerated in Yemen since 2017 and was sentenced to death for the murder of a Yemeni national. Last month, the Yemeni president upheld her death sentence, prompting India to intensify its engagement with her family and explore all possible legal remedies.

This offer from Tehran coincides with scheduled foreign office consultations between India and Iran. These talks are expected to include discussions about reviving bilateral trade, with Iran urging India to resume oil imports. While India has significantly increased its crude oil imports from Russia despite international sanctions, imports from Iran remain stalled due to global restrictions.

The Iranian official also highlighted the disparity in India's energy trade policy, questioning why Indian crude imports from Iran have been halted while Russian supplies continue unabated. "While the nature of sanctions imposed on Iran and Russia varies, it is worth questioning why India has yet to restart energy imports from Iran," the official remarked. We need to explore ways to address this issue,” the official noted.

Beyond trade, Iran also expressed its concerns about the situation in Gaza and the broader West Asian conflict. The official criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, stating they have further internationalized the Palestine issue. "The core issue is the occupation of Palestine, and it must be resolved. We support the creation of an independent Palestinian state, which remains a critical global agenda," the official asserted.

In addition, Iran urged for enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation with India, particularly in light of recent developments in Syria.

This multi-faceted engagement highlights Tehran’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with New Delhi while addressing critical humanitarian and geopolitical challenges.