As tensions between the US and Iran rise again in the Middle East, three ships carrying Indian crew were attacked near Oman, over the past four days. Three Indian men were killed in the attacks. Track the latest updates on tensions between Iran and the United States
The attacks – on MT Gulliver, Setibello and MT Marifix – drew condemnation from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Following the series of attacks on ships, the United States confirmed on Thursday that it had “disabled” oil tankers for “violating the blockade imposed on Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil.”
What did the United States say about attacking ships with Indian crew?
US Central Command said in a statement: “US Central Command (CENTCOM) acted against the Guinea Bissau-flagged ship M/T Jalveer as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces.”
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It also said that US aircraft disabled the two Palau-flagged ships, M/T Marivex and M/T Settebello, on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. “Marivex violated the blockade by trying to sail to an Iranian port and Settebello tried to transport Iranian oil,” she added.
The US military imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports after Tehran effectively banned shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of the conflict in West Asia.
India enjoys friendly relations with Iran, and after the talks, it was able to secure safe passage for ships, including LPG tankers, as India faces a fuel shortage. Some obstacles remain, as at least one Indian ship came under fire during a chaotic weekend in Hormuz last April, after which New Delhi summoned Tehran’s ambassador.
India’s response
India said on Thursday that three commercial ships carrying Indian crew were attacked by the US military off the coast of Oman in the last four days, killing three citizens, and lodged a strong representation with the US over the strikes.
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This is the first public admission from New Delhi that the US Navy targeted the three ships that had Indian crew members on board. New Delhi stressed that these attacks must stop.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told a news conference that the three separate strikes on Sitipilo, Marivex and Gulliver “came from the US Navy.”
Following the attack on Setibelo on Wednesday that left three Indians dead, US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs and handed over a protest memorandum or diplomatic note.
“We attach great importance to the well-being of our seafaring community. When this attack happened on the Sitipilo, we lodged a strong protest with the American side,” Jaiswal said.
He said, “We summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires and informed him of our deep concern about the ongoing incidents of attacks. We also registered our strong protest.”
Jaiswal stressed that these attacks “must stop.”
He added: “We also made clear that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward towards a peaceful solution to the conflict, and that there must be unimpeded access through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.”
“Therefore, we made our position very clear on each of these points, emphasizing how important the lives of our people and the well-being and safety of our people are,” he added.
