The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday expressed its objection to the attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman on Wednesday, May 13, describing it as “unacceptable.”
The Middle East Airlines said in a statement that it “regrets” the ongoing attacks on commercial shipping.
She said in a statement, “The attack on a ship flying the Indian flag off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we regret the continued targeting of commercial ships and civilian sailors.”
The statement issued by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said that the Indian crew on board the ship are safe and expressed gratitude to the Omani authorities for rescuing them.
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The statement added: “India reiterates that targeting commercial vessels, endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and trade should be avoided.”
But the statement did not clarify who carried out the attack. This occurred amid escalating tensions in and around the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz, as the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement to end their war, which has been temporarily halted for the time being.
The Iranian Foreign Minister is in India to attend the BRICS summit
The attack on the ship flying the Indian flag came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in New Delhi to participate in the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 14 and Friday, April 15.
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In his speech at the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Delhi, Araqchi said that Iran considers BRICS a symbol of the emergence of a new world order.
“Over the past year, I have been honored to attend two BRICS summits to express the Iranian government’s belief that this mechanism symbolizes the emergence of a new world order, one in which the Global South is one of the main architects of the world’s future,” Araqchi said. “What was once an aspirational ideal has become a reality, but it has become fragile. Declining imperial powers seek to turn back the clock, and are responding with desperation and aggression as they seek a downgrade.” Annie Agency.
Speaking about the confrontation between Iran and Western powers, he said that it is part of a larger battle against “Western hegemony,” stressing that Tehran’s actions are linked to the interests of the BRICS countries.
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“This is of fundamental importance to the BRICS community because the fight in which Iran stood is a defense of all members and a defense of the new world we are building. Our brave soldiers sacrificed their lives to confront Western hegemony and the impunity that America believes it enjoys,” he said.
He added: “While Iran is grateful for the support and solidarity of the BRICS countries, it is necessary that we all increase our efforts to end this feeling of superiority and immunity from America, a feeling that has no place in today’s world.”
(With inputs from Annie)
