India on Sunday condemned the Iranian attack on a container ship flying the Cyprus flag, which led to the loss of an Indian crew member, and reiterated its call to calm tensions and conclude negotiations for a diplomatic solution that guarantees peace and stability in the region.
Iranian forces targeted GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman early Sunday, sparking a fire on board that forced the crew to abandon ship and leave in a lifeboat, Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations Agency reported.
“We condemn the attack on the merchant ship GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while one Indian national is reported to be missing,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, without naming Iran in connection with the attack.
The Indian Embassy in Oman is monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities for the search and rescue operation. The Indian side thanked the Omani authorities for their support.
The statement said, “The ongoing incidents of attacks on commercial ships in the region are deeply disturbing. We reiterate our call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of the ongoing negotiations to reach a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability return to the region.”
India renewed its call for an end to the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region, and said that free and unhindered navigation and trade across international waterways, in line with international law, “must be restored as soon as possible.”
The escalation of the war between the United States and Iran
US President Donald Trump ordered renewed air strikes against Iran after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy attacked the GFS Galaxy as it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command said. She added that the container ship was unable to continue its journey after the Iranian attack caused a fire and caused severe damage to the engine room.
The IRGC Navy said in a statement that the GFS Galaxy ship, which “endangered maritime security by shutting down its systems,” was bombed and grounded. It also announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy said in a statement, “The Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice and will remain closed until the United States ends its intervention in the region. No ship will be allowed to cross the strait.”
This was the third time the United States bombed Iran within a week in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions were heard in the Iranian coastal cities of Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Chabahar, and on Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Arabian Gulf and home to an underground Iranian missile base.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard responded by launching ballistic missile strikes on US military bases in Oman, Kuwait and Jordan, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and said it destroyed command and control centers and drone and refueling facilities.
Kuwait announced the interception of air targets in its airspace, while the United Arab Emirates responded to missiles and drones from Iran. Qatar responded to a missile attack, and explosions were heard in Doha.
India’s concerns
Last week, India expressed deep concern over the recent attacks and escalating tensions in West Asia after Trump said the ceasefire memorandum of understanding signed last month with Iran had “ended” following Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
India, which was hard hit when conflict in West Asia disrupted oil, gas and fertilizer supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, has also doubled down on its message calling for a return to dialogue and diplomacy as tensions rise, threatening the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
Iran attacked commercial ships using a southern route along the coast of Oman, which is protected by the US military, and demanded that ships use a northern route passing through its territorial waters. The United States and Iran are also disputing the terms of reopening the Strait of Hormuz under a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17.
Thirteen Indians have been killed in West Asia since attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran on February 28 sparked the conflict.
