India on Tuesday strongly condemned the projectile attack on the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace in the Strait of Hormuz, which injured 12 of its 19 crew members, including 11 Indian nationals. India called for an immediate halt to attacks targeting commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 17 of the 19 crew members aboard the vessel were Indian nationals. The ship was struck while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman.
"We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace (IMO 9893204) off the coast of Oman, where it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Of the total crew of 19, 17 are Indian nationals. It is learnt that 12 crew members have been injured, including 11 Indian nationals," the MEA statement read.
The injured crew members were evacuated safely and taken to Khasab in Oman for medical treatment, the ministry said.
Expressing appreciation for the assistance provided by Oman, the MEA stated, "With the assistance of Omani authorities, the injured crew have since been evacuated and are receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman. We thank the Omani authorities for their valuable support."
India also reiterated its concern over continued attacks on commercial shipping in the region and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to restore peace and stability.
"The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region remain a cause of deep concern for India. We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region," the statement read.
"The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest," it added.
The condemnation comes amid another maritime security incident reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which said a commercial tanker travelling inbound through the Strait of Hormuz was forced to turn back after being hailed and threatened by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The incident took place on Monday at around 08:27 UTC, approximately 11 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman.
According to the UKMTO advisory, IRGC forces hailed the vessel and warned that it would be targeted if it did not comply with orders to turn around. The vessel's Master confirmed that the crew followed the instructions and changed course.
The incident is currently under investigation. UKMTO has advised vessels operating in the area to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious activity without delay.
The latest developments come as security risks remain elevated across key global maritime routes, including the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Black Sea, where commercial vessels have repeatedly come under attack.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also highlighted the growing risks faced by commercial shipping and seafarers during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly last week.
“New challenges in the maritime domain have added to longstanding ones on land. There have been attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers in the Gulf and from the Red Sea to the Black Sea. Indian seafarers have lost their lives, as have others from other nations. This is completely unacceptable,” Jaishankar told the UN assembly.
Jaishankar further said India had joined Liberia and 23 partner nations in an international coalition aimed at mobilising global public opinion and protecting commercial shipping routes.
“We must ensure that the safety and security of shipping and seafarers is never compromised. Scrupulously observing international law is an integral element of that endeavour,” Jaishankar urged.
He also called for immediate restraint and de-escalation in the Gulf region to safeguard civilian crews and ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and global trade.