Israel and Iran exchanged condemnations during a tense United Nations Security Council session on April 14, following a series of provocative actions in recent weeks. Iran's unprecedented direct attack on Israeli territory, involving a swarm of explosive drones and missile fire, risked a significant escalation of hostilities. This attack came as retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's embassy compound in Syria on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of top Revolutionary Guards commanders. These events unfolded against the backdrop of months of clashes between Israel and Iran's regional allies, sparked by the conflict in Gaza.
15 April,2024 02:09 PM IST
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sources have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control by Iran. India is in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals, the sources added. The conflict has intensified in West Asia after suspected Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s consulate in Syria's capital Damascus and Tehran’s warning of retaliation. A map showed the path of an Israeli-linked cargo ship, the MSC Aries, that had been seized between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, in the Persian Gulf, situated close to the Strait of Hormuz, on Saturday (April 13). The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) posted a warning on social media after having received a report on the vessel and said it had been “seized by regional authorities”. This after Iran warned earlier this week that it could close the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. The Aries is leased by international shipping line MSC from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac said in a statement, adding that MSC is responsible for all vessel activities. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
14 April,2024 12:40 PM IST
The Indian Navy once again displayed its heroics and intercepted a ship hijacked by Somali pirates. From a Indian Navy vs Somali Pirates scenario, Navy shared a video of its encounter with Somali pirates who were using a hijacked merchant vessel. The Indian Navy thwarted designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen. The navy intercepted the hijacked ex-MV Ruen which was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship on high seas. The vessel opened fire on the warship and the Indian Navy retaliated to neutralise the pirates. The pirates onboard the vessel were called upon to surrender and release the vessel. In recent times, Indian Navy has proved its mettle by averting piracy bids in high seas.
16 March,2024 06:09 PM IST
As the threat of mischievous drone attacks and piracy bids loom large in Arabian Sea, Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal assured that the organisation is ready to tackle threats of drone attacks in Arabian sea and protect India’s maritime interests. “We have got eyes and ears everywhere, we have got aviation assets are flying day and night. When we generally spot hostile ships or vessels, we generally track them down. If the ships are not responding we zero on to them and make sure they are boarded,” said ICG DG Rakesh Pal while talking to ANI on the drone attacks in the Arabian Sea.
01 February,2024 06:18 PM IST
The Indian Navy on January 27 doused the fire on Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Marlin Luanda. The vessel was struck by a Houthi anti-ship missile in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Navy responded quickly. According to Reuters, the tanker was on fire but no deaths or injuries were reported after the vessel was hit. Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam deployed in Gulf of Aden responded to the distress call. The vessel had 22 Indian and 1 Bangladeshi crew onboard. Based on request, the firefighting team comprising 10 Indian Naval personnel embarked the vessel in early hours. Notably, Yemen’s Houthi militants have launched waves of exploding drones and missiles at vessels post Israel’s attack in Gaza.
28 January,2024 11:37 AM IST
Amid the relentless attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, Indian Navy swung into action. Indian Navy deployed Guided Missile Destroyer INS Visakhapatnam to combat drone attacks in the Red Sea. INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call by Marshall Island flagged MV Genco Picardy following a drone attack. Marshall Island flagged MV Genco Picardy witnessed a deadly attack during the late night of January 17. Assisting, INS Visakhapatnam, undertaking anti-piracy patrol, acknowledged distress call, intercepted vessels at 0030 hrs on Jan 18. Merchant Ship MV Genco Picardy carrying 22 crew members including 9 Indians was rescued safely. Indian Naval EOD specialists from INS Visakhapatnam boarded the vessel in early hours of Jan 18 to inspect the damaged area. EOD specialists, after a thorough inspection, have rendered the area safe for further transit.
18 January,2024 07:12 PM IST
India’s External Affairs Ministry has finally reacted to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Pakistan. Deadly airstrikes were carried out by Iran on terror outfit’s headquarters in Pakistan’s Balochistan. Pakistan claimed that two children lost their lives, two sustained serious injuries in the airstrikes by Iran. India took a pro-Iranian stance and emphasised ‘actions countries take for self-defense’. Pakistan condemned Iran’s actions and termed the attack as an “unprovoked violation” of its airspace. In 2019, India carried out airstrikes in Balakot in retaliation to the suicide attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group in Pulwama.
18 January,2024 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai
As the Israel-Hamas Conflict continues for straight 88 days, Hamas Dy leader Saleh al-Arouri on Jan 02, was killed in an alleged Israeli drone strike in Beirut, reported The Times of Israel. Hamas terrorist group in the early hours of Jan 03, also confirmed the killing of its deputy commander in Lebanon. Meanwhile, condemning the alleged killing of Arouri, Lebanon's caretaker PM Najib Mikati, called it a "new Israeli crime". Mikati forewarned, saying Tel Aviv aims to drag Lebanon into the conflict. Lebanese terror group Hezbollah vowed to respond to alleged Israeli attack claiming its fighters are at heightened readiness to retaliate. The terror group called the alleged Israeli strike “a serious assault on Lebanon, its people, its security and its sovereignty…”. However, Israel has yet to claim responsibility for the attack but also issued an obscure statement. during a press conference. Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Foreign Media Spokesman Mark Regev said, “Whoever did this, it’s not an attack on the Lebanese state…”. Meanwhile, the alleged killing of the Hamas leader sparked a massive protest in West Bank’s Ramallah. Holding flags and chanting slogans, hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets and marched toward Arouri’s hometown. Notably, at least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas' attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. The IDF in retaliation to the attack has continued to pound Hamas targets since the outbreak of the war.
03 January,2024 11:25 AM IST
On December 26th, the Delhi Fire Service received a call about a blast near the Israel Embassy in Chanakyapuri area. Delhi Police top officials, NIA team and Forensic Team soon reached the spot and investigated the matter. Israel Embassy confirmed that around 5:10 pm there was a blast at close proximity to the embassy. The Delhi Police has intensified its probe into a low intensity Israel embassy blast that occurred near the Israel Embassy here and sources said two youths were caught on camera walking on the road close to the spot shortly before the explosion. The police have also beefed up security in the national capital after Tuesday's blast near the embassy in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave, an official said.
27 December,2023 12:51 PM IST
The Israeli army on December 4 released footage showing what it said were ground and air operations against Hamas targets in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas Conflict. In the video footage, Israeli soldiers could be seen carrying weapons and firing toward what they said were Hamas targets, and aerial footage showed destruction of what the Israeli army said was Hamas infrastructure. According to an Israeli army statement, the army entered a building where they encountered Hamas fighters and during the battle inside the building, two Israeli sergeants were killed and two other soldiers were injured. Israeli troops and tanks also pressed the ground campaign against Hamas militants in the south of the enclave after having largely gained control of the now-devastated north.
05 December,2023 03:20 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
