An Indian sailor was killed and eight sailors, including six Indian nationals, were injured when Iranian missiles targeted two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, prompting the Ministry of External Affairs to summon Iran’s top diplomat to lodge a formal protest over the incident.
The UAE Ministry of Defense said on social media that the UAE oil tankers Mombasa and Al Bahia “were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles as they were crossing the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial waters.” Track Iran war news updates on July 14
The Ministry of Defense said: “The attack led to the death of an Indian crew member on board the tanker Mombasa and the injury of eight others, including four who were seriously injured.” Among the injured are six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals.
The attack also caused fires that destroyed the two tankers. The fires were later brought under control.
Summoning Muhammad Jawad Al-Husseini
Hours later, the Iranian Deputy Head of Mission, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the Joint Secretary heading the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran Department, Anand Prakash, lodged a strong protest over the incident.
The summons took place in full view, with TV news crews covering the Iranian diplomat’s arrival, unlike other recent similar incidents. Anger has increased on the Indian side due to Iranian attacks on commercial ships carrying Indian crew members.
Tuesday’s attacks came two days after an Iranian attack on the Cypriot-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy, resulting in the loss of an Indian crew member.
Fourteen Indians have been killed in West Asia since attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran on February 28 sparked the conflict.
The UAE Ministry of Defense condemned the “blatant attack,” describing it as “a serious violation and clear violation of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region.”
The Ministry of Defense said: “The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its lands, citizens, and residents, in a way that preserves its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its national interests.”
The UAE remains “at the highest levels of readiness and preparedness to confront any threats,” and is taking all necessary measures to respond decisively to “any attempt to undermine the security and stability of the country.”
India on Sunday condemned the attack on the Cypriot-flagged GFS Galaxy and reiterated its call for de-escalation of tensions and conclusion of negotiations for a diplomatic solution that ensures peace and stability in the region.
Ten more Indian sailors on board the GFS Galaxy were rescued after Iranian forces targeted the vessel off the coast of Oman.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday, “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 also expressed deep concern over the recent attacks and escalating tensions in West Asia after US President Donald 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 hit hard when conflict in West Asia disrupted oil, gas and fertilizer supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, has 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.
