New Delhi: One Indian national remains missing after a Cyprus flagged commercial vessel came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, prompting a major search and rescue operation amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 10 of the 11 Indian crew members aboard the vessel, GFS Galaxy, have been rescued, while efforts are continuing to locate the missing Indian national. The Indian Embassy in Oman is closely coordinating with Omani authorities and monitoring the rescue operation.
The vessel reportedly caught fire after sustaining heavy damage during the attack, forcing crew members to abandon ship. Iran defended the strike by claiming the vessel had taken an unauthorised route before announcing the closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
India strongly condemned the attack on the commercial ship and expressed concern over the continued targeting of civilian vessels in the region. The government described the repeated attacks on commercial shipping as deeply worrying and called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions through diplomatic dialogue.
New Delhi also stressed that commercial ships and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted under international law and urged the restoration of safe and uninterrupted navigation through international waterways at the earliest.
The latest incident has further intensified the regional conflict after the United States launched fresh military strikes in response to the attack. US officials stated that the vessel had suffered extensive damage and was no longer capable of continuing its voyage, while reiterating that the strikes were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping.
The renewed exchange of military action comes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions. With the Strait of Hormuz serving as a vital global energy corridor, the escalating conflict has raised fresh concerns over maritime security, international trade and stability across the Middle East.
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