India on Tuesday summoned Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini following an Iranian missile strike on two UAE-flagged oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz that left one Indian crew member dead and several others injured.
Hosseini was seen leaving the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) headquarters in New Delhi after meeting officials.
The diplomatic move came after the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that the tankers Mombasa and Bahia were struck by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.
According to the UAE, the attack on Mombasa claimed the life of an Indian national and injured eight crew members, including six Indians and two Ukrainian nationals. Four of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.
The missile strikes also triggered major fires aboard both vessels, causing extensive damage before emergency response teams brought the blazes under control.
Condemning the attack, the UAE Ministry of Defence described it as a “serious violation” and a breach of international law. It said the UAE reserves the right to respond to the escalation and take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, people and territorial waters.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade routes. Iranian state media reported that the country’s forces had targeted what it described as “violating” vessels in the waterway, while state broadcaster IRIB said the Iranian Navy had launched cruise missiles at a “hostile vessel.”
The latest developments follow renewed US military operations against targets inside Iran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to target civilian vessels and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump has also announced the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and said the United States would impose a 20 per cent fee on eligible cargo transiting the strategic waterway to offset regional security costs.
According to the US military, the blockade will take effect from Tuesday and will apply to vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports, while allowing other international commercial traffic to continue through the Strait of Hormuz.
(ANI)
