West Asia conflict: India summons Iranian envoy over vessel attacks

India lodged a strong protest with Iran after attacks on two UAE-linked merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz killed one Indian seafarer and injured 10 others

India on Tuesday expressed deep concern over Iranian attacks on two United Arab Emirates (UAE)-linked supertankers carrying 30 Indian seafarers among their combined crew of 46. One Indian national was killed and 10 others were injured in the attacks, including two who are said to be in serious condition.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Iran Mohamed Javad Hosseini in New Delhi on Tuesday morning. MEA Joint Secretary Anand Prakash lodged a strong protest over the attacks with him. The meeting lasted 10 minutes.

 

Later in the day, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing that India’s deep concern over the attacks had been conveyed to the Iranian diplomat, who was told that the attacks must stop at the earliest.

 

 

The attacks on the two UAE-linked vessels came two days after an Iranian strike on the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy, which left an Indian crew member missing. Several attacks on commercial shipping in recent days have shattered the interim peace pact reached between the US and Iran in mid-June.

 

According to Indian government sources, 16 Indian nationals, mostly sailors, have been killed or gone missing in the Gulf region since the conflict in West Asia began on February 28. Of the 16, three remain missing. Sources said the loss of Indian lives is among the highest for any country other than Iran during the conflict. India has the world’s second-largest seafaring workforce.

 

Responding to a question on US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a mandatory 20 per cent toll on all commercial cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the MEA spokesperson said, “We are closely following developments in West Asia. We continue to call for safe and unimpeded navigation and the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. This is key to ensuring the energy and economic security of people across the world."

 

On Tuesday morning, Iranian forces attacked two vessels, MT Al Bahyah and MT Mombasa, while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Of the 12 Indian nationals on board MT Al Bahyah, one was killed and another was injured. Of the 18 Indian nationals on board MT Mombasa, nine sustained injuries, including two who are reported to be seriously injured, the MEA said.

 

The UAE defence ministry said on social media that MT Mombasa and MT Al Bahyah were “targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters”.

 

The MEA extended its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased Indian national and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. India’s mission and consulate in the UAE are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the UAE authorities to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Indian seafarers, the ministry said.

 

In June, at least three ships carrying Indian seafarers were attacked by the US military, killing one Indian national. The MEA had then summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi Jason Meeks twice within 48 hours, on June 10 and June 12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also raised the attacks on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf during his meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France on June 17.

 

In its statement issued on Tuesday morning after summoning the Iranian diplomat, the MEA “strongly” condemned the attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.

 

“We also reiterate our deep concern over the resumption of attacks and the escalation of hostilities in the West Asian region and call for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region,” it said.

 

“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease so that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest,” the MEA said.