India summons US diplomat over ship strike off near Oman
US chargé d’affaires Jason Meeks was summoned by the Indian State Department and deported in connection with the incident. Meeks is currently the most senior US diplomat in India, and Ambassador Sergio Gor is traveling abroad.
This is the second time in a week that a ship with an Indian crew has been attacked by the US military near Oman for allegedly “violating” the blockade against Iran. The first attack disabled the ship, but no crew was harmed. Officials said that coordinated search efforts have been launched for the three missing Indian crew members following the latest attack.
Separately, the ministry strongly condemned the attack on the merchant ship and called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region.
“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region should be stopped, and free and unhindered navigation and trade in international waterways in the region should be re-established as soon as possible, in accordance with international law,” the MEA said. The statement was included.
“Our Oman Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the statement said.
The merchant ship MT Settebello was attacked by the US military in the Gulf of Oman, and US Central Command said a precision attack was carried out on its engine room because the ship violated the blockade by going to Iran to transport oil. “A US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with instructions from American forces,” US CENTCOM said. he said.
The United States also released a video of the attack and said it had disabled eight ships in the past two days as part of efforts to restrict Iranian oil exports amid regional tensions.
