New Delhi, Jul 14: An Indian national was killed and 10 others were injured, including two seriously, in Iranian attacks on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, prompting New Delhi to summon the Iranian deputy envoy to lodge a strong protest and demand an immediate halt to such strikes.
New Delhi strongly 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 US and Iran.
Fourteen Indians have died in the West Asia conflict since it began following the US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India is “deeply concerned” by the attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz and that both the vessels were carrying 30 Indian seafarers, among their combined crew of 46.
“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,” it said.
“We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz,” it added in a statement.
The MEA also reiterated India’s “deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West-Asian region and call for immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region”.
“In particular, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease in order that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest,” it said.
The MEA extended its “deepest condolences” to the family of the deceased Indian national and wished speedy recovery to those injured.
It said 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.
“The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi was summoned this morning by the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest against these attacks was lodged with him,” it said.
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.
“We are closely following the developments in West Asia. We continue to call for safe and unimpeded navigation and flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. This is key for ensuring energy and economic security of people across the world,” he said.
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”. The attacks on the two merchant ships came two days after an Iranian attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy left an Indian crew member missing.
The fresh escalation in tensions has raised questions over the fragile peace deal finalised between the US and Iran in June. (PTI)
