India Condemns Attack On Vessel Carrying 11 Indians Off Oman Coast; One Sailor Missing

India on Sunday condemned the attack on commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, saying one Indian sailor is missing while 10 other Indian nationals on board have been rescued.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

“We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while one Indian national is reportedly missing,” the MEA said in a statement.

“Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search

and Rescue operation. We thank the Omani authorities for their support.”

The government also voiced concern over the continued attacks on commercial shipping in the region, calling them “deeply worrisome.”

India urged all sides to immediately de-escalate tensions and pursue a diplomatic solution to restore peace and stability.

“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest,” the statement added.

IRAN SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ CLOSED AFTER SHIP ATTACK

The attack unfolded amid a sharp escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States.

Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed “until further notice” after its Revolutionary Guards fired on a Cyprus-flagged container ship that they alleged was travelling through an “unauthorised route” in the strategic waterway.

The Guards said multiple vessels had ignored repeated warnings and instructions to proceed through an approved shipping corridor.

They described the firing as a “warning shot” that brought one vessel to a halt before announcing the closure of the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas exports.

The United States, however, described the incident as a direct attack on a civilian commercial vessel.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Cyprus-flagged container ship sustained significant engine room damage after being hit and that one civilian crew member was missing. The vessel was disabled by fire, forcing the crew to abandon ship.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported that the crew had evacuated the vessel and boarded a lifeboat. The incident occurred around 17 kilometres east of Oman.

CENTCOM accused Iran of “blatantly” attacking a commercial ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz and said the United States would continue degrading Iran’s capability to target civilian shipping.

FRESH US STRIKES, IRAN RETALIATES

Hours after the maritime attack, the United States launched another round of military strikes on Iranian targets.

CENTCOM said it carried out approximately 140 strikes on Iranian military targets in what it described as the third round of attacks this week.

Iran later announced retaliatory strikes, saying it had targeted US military bases and radar installations in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar using ballistic missiles and drones.

Air raid sirens and explosions were heard in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as the regional confrontation widened.

Iranian state media also reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask, Qeshm Island and Khuzestan province following the US strikes.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS UNDER PRESSURE

The latest escalation has cast fresh uncertainty over ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

According to AP, senior US officials have maintained that negotiations aimed at strengthening last month’s ceasefire arrangement cannot move forward unless commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains secure.

Iran, meanwhile, reiterated that the waterway would remain closed until further notice and warned that additional enemy bases in the region could be targeted if further attacks were carried out.