India condemns attack on UAE-linked vessels that killed an Indian in Hormuz, summons Iran's deputy chief of mission
India on Tuesday condemned the attack on UAE-linked vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz that killed an Indian national and summoned Iran's deputy chief of mission. The attack also injured eight others, including six Indians.
India on Tuesday condemned the attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s two vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement released, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern about the attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, adding that the two vessels were carrying at least 30 Indian seafarers, among their combined crew of 46.
It said, “Of the 12 Indian nationals onboard MT Al Bahiyah, one has tragically lost his life, and another has been injured. Of the 18 Indian nationals onboard MT Mombasa, 9 have sustained injuries, including 2 who are reported to be seriously injured.”
Condemning the attack, the MEA noted, “We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz. We also reiterate our deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West-Asian region and call for immediate cessation of violence.”
Earlier today, MEA summoned Iran's deputy chief of mission after the UAE's defence ministry announced the death of an Indian national.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Mohammad Javad Hosseini to protest Tehran's latest attacks on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that once accounted for roughly a fifth of the world's oil and gas shipments during peacetime.
News agency ANI reported that following the high-level meeting over the latest attack on commercial vessels in the crucial waterway, the Iranian diplomats, including Hosseini, were seen leaving the MEA headquarters in the national capital.
UAE says two Emirati tankers targeted, condemns attack
Quick answers to key questions
The Indian national was killed during an attack by Iranian cruise missiles that targeted two Emirati oil tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, while they were transiting in Omani territorial waters.
India summoned Iran's deputy chief of mission to protest Tehran's attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which threaten regional security and violate international law.
Eight people were injured in the attack, including six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals, with four individuals sustaining serious injuries.
The UAE's Defence Ministry condemned the missile strikes as a serious violation of international law and stated that it reserves the right to respond to this escalation and to protect its national interests.
Yes, the Forward Seamen's Union of India expressed worries about the growing number of Indian seafarers affected by conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for stronger government action to ensure their safety.
The development came hours after the UAE's Defence Ministry announced early Tuesday that the UAE-flagged tankers, Mombasa and Bahia, were attacked by Iranian cruise missiles while navigating the southern passage of Hormuz within Omani territorial waters.
In a post on X, the country's defence ministry wrote, “The Ministry of Defence announces that the national tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters.”
The post added, “The attack resulted in the death of one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa tanker and the injury of eight others, including four who sustained serious injuries. The injured comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals. The attack also caused material damage to both tankers as a result of the fires that broke out on board, which have since been brought under control.”
Condemning the attack, it further said, “The Ministry of Defence condemned this blatant attack, which is considered a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region. The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its citizens and residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its national interests.”
IRGC claims responsibility for attack, cites "illegal activities"
Hours after the UAE condemned the attack and vowed retaliation, the IRGC claimed responsibility for immobilising the tankers and alleged that the vessels were involved in “illegal activities”, had switched off their tracking systems and ignored several warnings from Iranian forces.
The deadly strikes come amid renewed military friction in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint. According to reports, before the incident, Tehran's semi-official Tasnim news agency had reported that several “violating” vessels had been targeted in the waterway by Iranian forces.
The sudden spike in regional hostilities came after the United States launched a series of strikes on Tehran over what it said was a violation of the interim ceasefire deal. Since last week, the US has launched four rounds of strikes on the Islamic Republic in what it says was a response to the attacks on ships in the arterial waterway.
(with ANI inputs)
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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