What Led India to Summon Iranian Diplomats After a Tragic Incident in the Strait of Hormuz?

India's Diplomatic Response to Maritime Attack

New Delhi: On Tuesday, India took the significant step of summoning Iranian diplomats, including Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini, in response to a recent attack on merchant vessels from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Strait of Hormuz. This incident resulted in the death of one Indian sailor and left several others injured.

The attack involved Iranian forces targeting UAE oil tankers, leading to the tragic loss of an Indian life and injuries to six others. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reacted promptly by calling in the Iranian envoys for discussions.

Two UAE tankers, named Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while navigating through Omani territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Indian Embassy in the UAE expressed condolences for the deceased seafarer and assured that they are closely monitoring the evolving situation.

In a statement on X, the Embassy said, “We express our sorrow over the tragic loss of an Indian seafarer in the attacks on the vessels Al Bahiyah and Mombasa B. We are in contact with local authorities to provide assistance to the injured and their families.”

The UAE's Ministry of Defence reported that the attack resulted in significant material damage to both tankers, with fires igniting on board, although these have since been extinguished.

The Ministry condemned the assault, labeling it a grave breach of international law that jeopardizes regional security and stability. They emphasized that the UAE retains the right to respond to such escalations and will take all necessary actions to safeguard its territory, citizens, and strategic interests.

Furthermore, the ministry reassured the public of its preparedness to address any threats and urged them to rely solely on official sources for information, avoiding the spread of rumors or unverified claims.