US Israel Iran War Latest Update: An Indian-flagged wooden cargo ship sank after catching fire, reportedly triggered by a suspected drone or missile strike while it was sailing through Omani waters, the Indian government confirmed on Thursday.
Preliminary information suggests that the Gujarat-owned vessel MSV Haji Ali went down after being hit on May 13 by what appeared to be a drone or missile-like object. At the time of the incident, the ship was travelling from Berbera Port in Somalia to Sharjah.
US Israel Iran War Latest Update: India Condemns Attack on Civilian Shipping
India strongly condemned the incident and called the targeting of commercial vessels unacceptable. “The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.
It further added, “India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided.”
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted.”
The MEA’s reaction comes at a time when tensions in the Gulf region are already high due to ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The latest attack has further increased worries about the safety of civilian and commercial vessels operating near major global shipping lanes.
MEA Confirmed All 14 Crew Members Rescued
Local media reports said the vessel caught fire after the strike, prompting an emergency response from the Oman Coast Guard. Rescue teams managed to safely evacuate all 14 crew members from the ship.
The cargo vessel reportedly became stranded near the Omani coast around 3:30 am local time. The ship is owned by Gujarat resident Sultan Ahmed Ansar from Dwarka. The ministry also confirmed that all Indian crew members onboard were safely rescued and expressed gratitude to the Omani authorities for their quick response and assistance.
Ship Identified as Haji Ali
Indian shipping ministry officials identified the vessel as the Haji Ali. Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed that it last reported its position near the coast of Muscat on May 11. The ship’s operators have not responded to requests for comment. Reports also indicate that at least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the conflict between the U.S.-Israeli side and Iran escalated on February 28.
Second Ship Incident Since Iran Conflict Began
According to reports, this is the second vessel to be sunk in the region since the Iran conflict started on February 28. The ongoing war has severely disrupted maritime activity, leaving hundreds of ships stranded and around 20,000 seafarers unable to move through the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage linking the Gulf of Oman to global shipping routes. Maritime security experts have separately suggested that the attack was likely carried out using a drone.
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US Israel Iran War Latest Update: Diplomatic Concerns Rise
India previously summoned the Iranian envoy in New Delhi last month to express “deep concern” over repeated attacks on its vessels. The ongoing conflict has significantly increased risks for commercial shipping in the Gulf region, especially around the Strait of Hormuz, which is a crucial global energy route. Several ships have reportedly been damaged or targeted since the tensions began.
The latest Indian statement comes as foreign ministers of the BRICS nations, including Iran, meet in New Delhi for their annual talks. The summit is taking place under the shadow of the conflict, raising pressure on the bloc to present a unified stance and agree on a joint statement.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article are based on the report available in the public sources and intended for information purpose only. Publisher will not be responsible for any discrepency.
