The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks and lodged a strong protest over the attack on an oil tanker off Oman that resulted in the loss of three Indian crew members. Meeks was recalled because Ambassador Sergio Gore was away from Delhi. However, no official move has been made, sources told HT.
Earlier, India issued a statement condemning the attack, but did not say who was behind the attack. People familiar with the matter confirmed that US forces targeted the tanker “Sitipilo” for its attempt to evade the US blockade of Iranian ports.
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The statement read, “We condemn the attack on the merchant ship Sitipilo off the coast of Oman earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew members on board, 21 Indians have been rescued so far, and three Indians are reported missing.”
The Indian Embassy in Oman is monitoring the situation and “proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the statement said.
The State Department also said in its statement that attacks on ships in West Asia are “deeply concerning” and called for an immediate halt to the escalation of tensions.
“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and trade across international waterways in the region must be restored, in line with international law, as soon as possible,” the statement said.
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UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) first reported that the Settebello suffered an engine room fire about 20 nautical miles northeast of the Omani port of Sohar. British maritime risk management group Vanguard said that the tanker sent a distress call after it was hit by a missile that caused the fire, and that the Omani Navy responded to the ship’s call for help.
