Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Jun 12: Iran has strongly criticised the United States following attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members in West Asia, incidents that claimed the lives of three Indian sailors. Tehran described the attacks as evidence of what it called Washington's continued "state piracy" and "armed robbery" at sea.
Reacting to the deaths, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the people of India, while accusing the US of endangering maritime security.
In a statement posted on social media, Baqaei said the attacks on commercial shipping highlighted America's alleged disregard for international law and urged the global community to hold Washington accountable for actions that threaten peace, security and freedom of navigation.
The remarks came after the commercial vessel Settebello was reportedly attacked off the coast of Oman on Wednesday. The ship had 24 Indian crew members on board. While 21 were rescued safely, three Indians lost their lives in the incident.
India has meanwhile lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the United States over a series of recent attacks involving vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the region.
Speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had summoned the US Charge d'Affaires to convey its concerns over the incidents. He described the attacks on shipping as deeply troubling and linked them to the broader conflict and instability in West Asia.
Jaiswal reiterated that the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers remain a top priority for the government. He said Indian missions and relevant authorities are in constant contact with seafarers deployed across the region to ensure their well-being.
Calling for restraint, Jaiswal stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region and prevent further attacks on commercial shipping.
The MEA spokesperson also clarified that the vessels involved in the recent incidents were not Indian-owned. According to him, two of the ships were registered under the flag of Palau, while the third sailed under the flag of Guinea.
The developments have added to growing concerns over the safety of international shipping routes in West Asia, where escalating regional tensions continue to pose risks to commercial maritime traffic and foreign crew members.