India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks on Friday and lodged a strong protest over U.S. naval attacks on commercial vessels that killed three Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman.
The ministry said U.S. forces have carried out continuing attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the region, and called the three deaths tragic and avoidable.
The ministry conveyed deep concern over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping. It said such actions are unacceptable and “undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce” in a tense region.
Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce. — India’s Ministry of External Affairs
The ministry asked Meeks to convey India’s concerns to Washington and to ensure that U.S. forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to prevent the loss of civilian life.
Reuters reported that all three Indian sailors, who went missing after a U.S. attack on a Palau-flagged ship off the Oman coast, have been confirmed dead.
What CENTCOM Said
U.S. Central Command said it attacked the oil tanker MT Settebello after the vessel tried to violate a U.S. blockade set up outside the Strait of Hormuz, off the Oman coast.
CENTCOM said U.S. aircraft disabled the M/T Marivex on Monday and the M/T Settebello on Tuesday. Both vessels are Palau-flagged. It alleged the Marivex violated the blockade by attempting to sail to an Iranian port, while the Settebello “attempted to transport Iranian oil.”
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