Baqaei: U.S. Attacks on Indian Commercial Ships Amount to Armed Robbery and State Piracy
Three Indian sailors were killed after a U.S. strike on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman, prompting condemnation from Iran.
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned U.S. attacks on Indian commercial vessels, describing them as acts of armed robbery and state piracy after three Indian sailors were killed in a strike on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
Baqaei said the deaths of the Indian nationals were the result of what he described as Washington’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and maritime piracy.
“The brutal U.S. attacks on Indian commercial vessels, which resulted in the killing of at least three Indian citizens, are a consequence of the American government’s policy of armed robbery and state piracy,” Baqaei said.
Three Indian Sailors Killed
The remarks came after Indian authorities confirmed that three Indian crew members aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello had been killed following a U.S. military strike in the Gulf of Oman.
The vessel was carrying 24 Indian crew members when it came under attack after U.S. Central Command accused it of failing to comply with instructions from American forces and violating Washington’s blockade on Iranian oil shipments.
According to Indian officials, 21 crew members were rescued, while the bodies of the three missing sailors were later recovered and identified.
Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as a profound loss and said the Indian government was working to repatriate both the surviving crew members and the remains of those killed.
India Summons U.S. Diplomat
Following the attack, the Indian government summoned the deputy head of the U.S. mission in New Delhi.
The strike was one of several incidents involving commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman this week. U.S. forces also targeted other tankers that Washington accused of transporting Iranian oil or violating the blockade.
On Monday, another Palau-flagged tanker, Marivex, carrying Indian crew members, was struck in the Gulf of Oman. All crew members aboard that vessel were rescued by Omani authorities.
Indian officials also reported a separate incident involving the tanker Jalveer off the coast of Oman, where all Indian crew members were reported safe following a suspected strike.
Iran Calls for Accountability
Baqaei extended condolences to the families of the deceased sailors as well as to the Indian people and government.
“We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and offer our sincere condolences to the Indian people and government,” he said.
The Iranian spokesman also called on the international community to hold the United States accountable for what he described as unlawful conduct.
“The international community must hold the United States accountable for its lawless conduct, which continues to threaten global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation,” Baqaei said.
He added that such actions pose a serious threat to international maritime security and freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. (PW)