12 July,2026 06:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The MEA called for an immediate reduction in tensions. Pic/X
India has condemned the attack on the Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, after one of the ship's 11 Indian crew members was reported missing, reported the PTI.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that 10 Indian nationals have been rescued, while search efforts are continuing to locate the missing crew member.
The MEA said the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and is working with Omani authorities as search and rescue operations continue, according to the PTI.
The ministry also thanked the Omani government for its support during the ongoing rescue mission.
Expressing concern over the latest incident, India said the continued attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrying.
The MEA called for an immediate reduction in tensions and urged all sides to pursue diplomatic negotiations to restore peace and stability in West Asia, the news agency reported.
It also stressed that attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must end and called for the restoration of safe and uninterrupted navigation through international waterways in accordance with international law.
According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the vessel was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The incident reportedly caused a fire on board and significant damage to the engine room, leaving the ship unable to continue its voyage, as per the PTI.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed that the attack triggered a fire on the vessel during the early hours of Sunday.
The latest attack comes amid renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran.
US officials blamed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for the attack on the merchant vessel, while Washington has continued military strikes aimed at degrading Iran's ability to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the PTI reported.
Iran has responded with strikes targeting US-linked interests in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The IRGC Navy has also announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until further notice, raising fresh concerns over global shipping and energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, carrying around one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments, the news agency reported.
India had already expressed concern last week over renewed attacks on commercial vessels in the region, warning that continued instability could threaten international trade and regional security.
(with PTI inputs)
