India summons US diplomat over ship strike off near Oman

New Delhi: India has lodged a strong protest with the US after its military carried out a strike on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman, which left three Indian crew members missing, even as 21 others were rescued.

The US charge d'affaires Jason Meeks was summoned by the Indian External Affairs Ministry and demarched over the incident. Meeks is currently the senior-most US diplomat in India, with Ambassador Sergio Gor traveling overseas.

This is the second time in a week that a vessel with Indian crew members onboard was attacked by the US military near Oman for allegedly "violating" the blockade on Iran. In the first attack, the ship was disabled but no crew members were harmed. Officials said that coordinated search operations are being undertaken for the three missing Indian crew members after the latest attack.


Separately, the ministry strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel, calling for immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region.

"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 MEA stated.

"Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation," it added.

Commercial vessel MT Settebello was attacked by the US military in the Gulf of Oman, with the US Central Command saying that a precision strike was executed on its engine room as it violated the blockade by heading to Iran for oil transport.

"A US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces," the US CENTCOM stated.

The US also released a video of the strike and said that it has disabled eight vessels in the past two days as part of efforts to curb Iranian oil exports amid regional tensions.