India summons Iranian deputy ambassador over seafarer’s death in Hormuz attack, lodges 'strong protest'

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday summoned Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission, Mohammad Javed Hossini, after Iranian strikes on two ships in the Persian Gulf killed one Indian national and injured six.

"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," the MEA said in a statement.

The MEA said, "The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi was summoned this morning by the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest against these attacks was lodged with him."

Iran on Tuesday hit two Emirati oil tankers —the Mombasa and Al Bahiyah— with cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz. At least one seafarer was killed and eight were injured in the attack — the deceased and six of the eight injured were Indians.

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"​India is deeply concerned by the attacks on two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz today. Both the vessels were carrying 30 Indian seafarers, among their combined crew of 46. Of the 12 Indian nationals onboard MT Al Bahiyah, one has tragically lost his life and another has been injured," the MEA's statement read.

"Of the 18 Indian nationals onboard MT Mombasa, 9 have sustained injuries, including 2 who are reported to be seriously injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased Indian national and wish speedy recovery to those injured. Our Mission and Post in the UAE are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the UAE authorities to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Indian seafarers," it said.

India also expressed "deep concern" over resumption on hostility between the US and Iran, and called for "a return to dialogue and diplomacy" to resolve the months-long Hormuz crisis and West Asia tension.

The MEA said, "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 and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region."

"In particular, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease in order that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest."

The MEA's response came after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) defended its action, saying that these ships were struck for not following the designated route. Such Iranian strikes have repeatedly triggered American strikes, dragging West Asia into tit-for-tat strikes and unravelling the ceasefire agreed to last month.

At least 11 Indian nationals have been killed in attacks from both the sides since the war began in West Asia, with at least seven of them being seafarers. While three were killed in a US strike, four have been killed in Iranian strikes.

Follow our live coverage of the West Asia conflict here

India is central to the world's maritime trade as Indians form around 10-12 per cent of the world's seafarers.

After several rounds of strikes by both sides, US President Donald Trump on Monday ordered the resumption of blockade of Iranian ports and announced that the United States would charge 20 per cent of the cargo's value as fees for allowing a ship to pass through the Strait.

After essentially junking the ceasefire with Iran, Trump rejected the importance of the ceasefire, suggesting that he never expected it to succeed even though the White House had called it “a historic breakthrough” and he had repeatedly praised the Islamic Republic's top officials.

Trump further said that it “was sort of a test” that the Iranians failed.

“These people are crazy. We had a deal where we won everything and they basically break the deal. You know, they make deals — to them, deals are made to be broken. They are extremely unreliable people,” Trump added.

The United States on Monday struck Iran for the third consecutive night. Iran also struck US personnel and bases across the region, such as in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. These attacks appear to be continuing on Tuesday as well as air raid sirens were activated in Bahrain and Jordan claimed downing four Iranian missiles.