EAM Jaishankar, US Secy of State discuss "recent events" in Strait of Hormuz
Washington DC, June 13
The US Department of State, in a statement, said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, stressed that all commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz must adhere to orders by the US.
In a statement, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the leaders discussed the recent events in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke yesterday with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two officials discussed recent events in the Strait of Hormuz. The Secretary stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from U.S. forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait. He underscored that violations of the U.S. blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated," the statement read.
Jaishankar on Saturday said he spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to convey India's strong protest over US Navy attacks in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners.
He described such actions against commercial shipping as unjustified.
In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, "Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India's strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified."
His remark came after the death of three Indian sailors in a US military strike on a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
The vessel, MT Settebello, came under fire on Wednesday after US forces accused it of violating the ongoing naval blockade on Iranian ports. Of the 24 Indian crew members on board, 21 were rescued, while the three others were later confirmed deceased.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday summoned the US Charge d'Affaires, Jason Meeks, to lodge a strong protest against the ongoing attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm glad Jaishankar didn't mince words. The US just assumed they could attack a commercial vessel without any consequences for Indian lives? 'Lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified'—he's 100% right. We need to see concrete action now, not just phone calls. MEA summoning the US charge d'affaires shows we mean business. Respect for our foreign policy team. 🙏
As an American, I'm deeply disturbed by this. The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for global energy, but killing innocent Indian sailors is not the way to enforce a blockade. The US should have used diplomatic channels first. India has every right to be furious. My condolences to the families of the three mariners.
The US claims to uphold peace but they just killed three Indian sailors? Hypocrisy at its worst. Our merchant navy works tirelessly to keep global trade moving, and now they're being treated like targets. Jaishankar's message is spot on: comply with orders is not a blank check for violence. India must demand an independent investigation and compensation for the families. This cannot be brushed under the rug. 😡
It's a delicate situation geopolitically. The Strait of Hormuz is a volatile region, and both the US and Iran have strong stands. But killing civilians—specifically Indian seafarers—crosses a red line. Jaishankar handled it well by combining a strong protest with diplomatic engagement. I hope the US rethinks its rules of engagement. P.S.: Our sailors are heroes for surviving 21 out of 24 rescued is a miracle. Prayers for the departed. 🌹
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