India summons Iranian diplomats after strike kills Indian sailor in Hormuz waters
New Delhi, July 14
India on Tuesday summoned the Iranian diplomats, including Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini, following the latest attack on United Arab Emirates merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which killed one Indian and injured several others.
An Indian sailor was killed, and six others were injured after a strike by Iran on the UAE oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Following this, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Iranian envoys.
Two UAE tankers were hit by two Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters. The tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were struck while transiting the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Indian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) condoled the loss of life of the Indian seafarer and said that it is closely monitoring the situation.
"We condole the tragic loss of an Indian seafarer in the attacks on two vessels, Al Bahiyah & Mombasa B. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the local authorities to render all possible assistance to the injured and families," the Embassy wrote on X.
UAE's Ministry of Defence said the attack also caused material damage to both tankers after fires broke out on board. The fires have since been brought under control.
The Ministry of Defence strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a serious violation of international law that threatens regional security and stability. It said the UAE reserves the full right to respond to the escalation and will take all necessary measures to protect its territory, people, residents, national interests and strategic assets.
The ministry added that it remains fully prepared to deal with any threats and urged the public to obtain information only from official sources and refrain from spreading rumours or unverified information.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So sad to hear about the Indian sailor. Why do innocent people always suffer in these geopolitical conflicts? The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway, and such attacks only escalate tensions. I hope the MEA takes this seriously and provides support to the family.
This is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by Indian seafarers in the Gulf region. The government should expedite negotiations and perhaps consider naval escorts for Indian-crewed vessels in sensitive waters. Every life lost is a tragedy.
My heart goes out to the sailor's family. 🙏 Such incidents show how vulnerable our citizens are when working in conflict zones. I hope the MEA also assists in medical care for the injured. Iran must be held accountable for this violation of international law.
India should use this incident to push for a de-escalation in the region. The Strait of Hormuz is a global chokepoint, and attacks like this hurt everyone. But I also think we need to be realistic—this is a geopolitical powder keg. Diplomacy is our best bet.
While I appreciate the government summoning Iranian diplomats, I hope they also demand a full investigation and compensation for the victim's family. This is not just a diplomatic issue—it's a matter of human life. Tragic and unnecessary.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.