India has strongly condemned the recent projectile strike on the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in injuries to 12 crew members, including 11 Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the urgent need to halt such attacks, highlighting the escalating casualties and the significant impact on civilian safety and maritime security.
The MEA reported that the attack occurred off the coast of Oman while the vessel was navigating a crucial maritime route. Of the 19 crew members aboard, 17 were Indian, and the injured personnel have been evacuated for medical treatment in Khasab, Oman, with gratitude expressed towards Omani authorities for their assistance. The MEA reiterated its condemnation of ongoing assaults on commercial shipping, calling for an immediate end to hostilities to restore peace and stability in the region.
This incident follows a warning issued by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to another commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which was forced to alter its course. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has advised vessels in the area to exercise heightened caution amid increasing security risks across global maritime routes, including the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has raised concerns about the safety of commercial vessels and seafarers at recent international forums, stating that attacks on shipping are unacceptable. He emphasized the necessity of adhering to international law to safeguard maritime routes and called for restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf to protect civilian crews and ensure the continuity of global trade.
