India Monitors Seven Vessels Carrying 148 Seafarers Amid Strait Of Hormuz Security Concerns

At least seven Indian-flagged or Indian-operated merchant vessels carrying 148 Indian seafarers remain in the Persian Gulf as tensions continue to escalate following a series of attacks on commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The latest violence has heightened concerns over the safety of Indian crew members working aboard vessels in one of the world's busiest and most strategically important shipping lanes. The situation worsened on Tuesday when missiles struck two Emirati oil tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, while they were transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial waters.

The attack claimed the life of one Indian seafarer and left six others injured, making it one of the deadliest incidents involving Indian nationals since Iran and the United States resumed open hostilities over the weekend. According to the United Arab Emirates, the tankers were navigating through the Strait of Hormuz when they came under missile attack. The incident occurred just two days after another attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy, which was struck while operating in the region. That attack left one Indian seafarer missing, while ten other Indian crew members aboard the vessel were rescued safely.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for targeting the two tankers, alleging that they had ignored repeated warnings before being "targeted and disabled." The IRGC also accused the United States of encouraging commercial vessels to use what it described as an "illegal route" through the strategic waterway. The claims have further intensified concerns over maritime security in the Gulf. The attacks come against the backdrop of escalating military tensions in West Asia. The current phase of conflict began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate.

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Since then, exchanges between the sides have expanded beyond military targets, with commercial shipping increasingly coming under threat in the Gulf region. India has been closely monitoring the safety of its nationals working in the maritime sector, particularly those serving aboard merchant vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed deep concern over the attacks and has reiterated that civilian ships and seafarers must not become targets of armed conflict. Following Tuesday's attack, the Indian government lodged a strong diplomatic protest with Iran after summoning the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi.

The MEA condemned the attacks as "acts of violence" that endanger freedom of navigation and international maritime trade, while extending condolences to the family of the deceased Indian seafarer and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global maritime chokepoint through which a significant share of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes each day. Any disruption in the waterway has the potential to affect global energy markets, shipping operations and international trade.

Thousands of Indian seafarers are employed on merchant ships operating in the region, making the security situation a matter of particular concern for New Delhi. As military tensions continue to rise, Indian authorities remain in contact with shipping companies, diplomatic missions and international partners to monitor developments and ensure assistance for Indian crew members in the region. With seven vessels carrying 148 Indian seafarers still operating in the Persian Gulf, the government is expected to maintain close surveillance of the situation while continuing efforts to safeguard the lives of Indian nationals at sea.

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