Highlights:
- India summoned a US diplomat for the second time.
- Three Indian sailors were killed in the attacks.
- Several merchant ships were hit near Oman.
- India lodged a strong protest with the US.
- India called for the attacks to stop.
India summoned a senior US diplomat on Friday (12) for the second time in two days after US strikes on merchant ships near Oman killed three Indian sailors.
The Indian foreign ministry said it called in US Deputy Chief of Mission Jason Meeks and gave a "strong protest" about the attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian sailors.
The ministry said the attacks have already caused the "tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives."
Meeks was also summoned earlier in the week after a US strike hit the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello near Oman. That attack killed three Indian sailors.
This followed another strike on June 8 on the MT Marivex. Omani authorities rescued 24 Indian sailors from that ship.
After the latest attacks, a third tanker carrying 20 Indian sailors was also hit. Officials said all crew members were safely rescued.
A US State Department official said the US is in contact with India about the situation.
India is one of the largest sources of merchant sailors in the world, with more than 320,000 active seafarers in 2025.
India’s shipping ministry has warned sailors to be careful when traveling through conflict areas.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the attacks on shipping are very concerning.
He said, "The continuing attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and are a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region. These attacks must cease."
India’s navy also said it carried out a high-risk operation to remove an unexploded missile warhead from the tanker MT Olympic Life after it was struck near Oman. The ship later reached Kochi safely in India.
The attacks come as tensions remain high in the region and shipping routes continue to face risks near the Strait of Hormuz.
