The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has summoned the Iranian deputy envoy to lodge a strong protest and demand an immediate halt to strikes, following the killing of an Indian national and injury to 10 others in Iranian attacks on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.
The MEA condemned the attacks on the commercial vessels MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, which had a total of 30 Indian seafarers onboard, and reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy to bring peace and stability to West Asia. The attacks on the two Emirati oil tankers came amid escalating hostilities between the U.S. and Iran.
Fourteen Indians have died in the West Asia conflict since it began following the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran on February 28. Of the 12 Indian nationals onboard MT Al Bahiyah, one has tragically lost his life and another has been injured. Of the 18 Indian nationals onboard MT Mombasa, nine have sustained injuries, including two who are reported to be seriously injured.
The MEA strongly condemned these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry also reiterated India’s deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West-Asian region and called for immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region.
The MEA extended its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased Indian national and wished speedy recovery to those injured. The Indian missions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the authorities concerned in the Gulf nation to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Indian seafarers.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing that India’s strong protest was conveyed to the Iranian diplomat and that these attacks must stop at the earliest. The Defence Ministry of the UAE said on social media that MT Mombasa and MT Al Bahiyah were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters.
