Srinagar : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today expressed strong solidarity with Iran amid the ongoing US-led military escalation in the region, including recent strikes on Kharg Island. She urged the people of Kashmir to pray for the Iranian people and the broader Muslim Ummah, while highlighting deep historical and spiritual ties between Kashmir and Iran.
In a statement issued during a press conference in Srinagar, Mufti declared: “We stand with Iran, urge people of Kashmir to pray for Iranian people and Muslim Ummah.” She emphasized that Islam reached Kashmir through Iran, underscoring the longstanding civilizational, cultural, and spiritual connections between the two regions. Mufti appreciated the peaceful protests held by Kashmiris in solidarity with Iran amid the conflict and noted that a meeting of former MLAs from her party passed a resolution expressing support for the Iranian people. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The statement comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following US precision strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island — the country’s main oil export hub — on March 13-14, 2026, which targeted military installations while sparing oil infrastructure. The strikes have been part of a broader US-Israel campaign against Iran, escalating fears of wider regional disruptions.
Mufti also appealed directly to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to reconsider the arrests of individuals who participated in recent protests related to the Iran conflict. She demanded the immediate release of those still detained in jails, describing the detentions as unwarranted amid a time of mourning and solidarity for the Muslim world.
Her remarks follow earlier criticisms from Mufti regarding India’s silence on US-Israel actions against Iran, including the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in late February strikes. She has repeatedly condemned the aggression, burned effigies of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in symbolic protests, and slammed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its inaction.
Protests in Kashmir erupted in early March following reports of high-profile Iranian losses, with demonstrations in Srinagar, Budgam, Anantnag, and other areas featuring anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, Iranian flags, and calls for solidarity. Authorities imposed restrictions, including internet throttling and security curbs in parts of the Valley, leading to arrests — including of women protesters — which Mufti has previously urged police to reverse with compassion.
Mufti’s latest intervention highlights growing local sentiment linking the Middle East conflict to broader Muslim unity issues, even as the administration maintains tight security measures. The PDP chief’s call for prayers and releases comes as global energy markets remain volatile due to Gulf tensions, with no immediate official response from the Lieutenant Governor’s office reported.
The situation underscores the intersection of international geopolitics with local political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir, where expressions of solidarity with Iran have sparked both public demonstrations and administrative crackdowns.
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