India has strongly condemned attacks on two United Arab Emirates oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz that left one Indian seafarer dead and several others injured, while calling for an immediate end to violence threatening commercial shipping in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it was “deeply concerned” by the attacks on the Adnoc-operated vessels MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, which were transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz early on Monday.
According to the ministry, the two vessels were carrying a total of 46 crew members, including 30 Indian nationals. Twelve Indians were on board MT Al Bahiyah, where one crew member was killed and another injured.
The second vessel, MT Mombasa, had 18 Indian crew members on board. Nine of them sustained injuries, including two who were reported to be in serious condition.
The ministry extended its condolences to the family of the deceased seafarer and confirmed that it had summoned the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest over the incident.
In its statement, India strongly condemned what it described as attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.
The ministry also expressed deep concern over the renewed escalation of hostilities in the region and called for an immediate halt to the violence. It stressed that commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must not become targets and urged all parties to restore the safe movement of vessels through international sea lanes.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence said the two tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while sailing through Omani territorial waters in the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the ministry, the attack killed one Indian crew member and injured eight others, including two Ukrainian nationals. Four of the injured suffered serious wounds.
The missile strikes also caused fires aboard both vessels, resulting in material damage. UAE authorities said emergency teams successfully brought the fires under control and prevented further damage.
In response to the attack, the UAE said it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens, residents and national interests.
“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,” the ministry said in a statement.
The defence ministry added that the country’s armed forces remain on the highest level of readiness to address any security threats. It also urged the public to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information and instead rely only on official sources for updates as tensions continue in the Gulf region.
The latest attack adds to growing concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes each day.
