NEW DELHI, June 11 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – India has officially urged the United States to immediately halt military strikes on commercial shipping following a series of incidents that resulted in the deaths of three sailors. The fatalities occurred earlier this week during a precision strike on an Indian-crewed tanker, marking the first reported deaths since the United States initiated a blockade on Iran-linked shipping on April 13.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed it has summoned a senior United States diplomat in the capital to express grave concerns regarding the ongoing operations. Authorities in the region have been working to address the fallout from the maritime incidents that have sparked significant diplomatic friction between the two nations.
Official statements from the Indian government highlight the urgent need for a change in approach regarding the current maritime strategy. Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the situation during a press briefing to outline the government’s formal position on the matter.
“These attacks must cease and end,” Randhir Jaiswal told reporters. “We also call for dialogue and diplomacy so that we can have an early return to peace and stability in the region.”
The recent tension follows a series of three separate United States attacks on ships carrying Indian crews within the span of a single week. The most severe incident involved the tanker Settebello, which was targeted off the coast of Oman. According to the United States military, an aircraft conducted a strike on the vessel’s engine room after the crew allegedly failed to comply with navigational directions.
While the United States military claims the vessel was involved in transporting oil from Iran in violation of an active blockade, the ship’s manager, IOS Marine FZE, has formally rejected these allegations. The company maintains that the tanker held no affiliation with Iranian oil and has requested an independent, transparent investigation into the strike.
The Omani Navy intervened following the incident, rescuing 21 crew members who were stranded after the vessel reported an engine fire. The loss of three Indian lives has prompted a strong reaction from government officials in New Delhi, who emphasize that the safety of merchant mariners must be prioritized during military enforcement operations.
This surge in maritime pressure comes at a critical time, as leaders prepare for the upcoming Group of Seven summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to engage in high-stakes bilateral discussions with President Donald Trump, where these recent military strikes on ships will likely dominate the agenda.
Since the blockade began, the United States has reportedly disabled eight non-compliant vessels and redirected over 100 other ships. The blockade specifically targets what officials describe as a shadow fleet, often consisting of older tankers that obscure their cargo and ownership to evade international sanctions. Despite these operational goals, the inclusion of civilian crews in such strike zones has intensified calls for restraint from international maritime organizations.
