India has strongly condemned an attack on a commercial vessel bound for the country after it came under fire while sailing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The incident prompted New Delhi to issue rare direct criticism of Iran, describing the targeting of commercial shipping during the ongoing West Asia conflict as “deplorable.” The ship was reportedly carrying crew members of multiple nationalities, including Indian seafarers, raising serious concerns about the safety of civilians working on merchant vessels in the region.

The vessel involved in the incident was the Thai-flagged dry bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, which was heading to the Indian port of Kandla Port when it was struck by two projectiles of unknown origin off the coast of Oman. According to the ship’s operator, Precious Shipping, the attack caused a fire and severely damaged the engine room of the vessel. Three crew members were reported missing and were believed to be trapped inside the engine compartment, while the remaining 20 crew members were safely evacuated and brought ashore in Oman.

Images released by the Thai navy showed smoke rising from the rear section of the vessel, highlighting the extent of the damage caused by the attack. Later, Iran’s elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said in a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency that Iranian fighters had fired upon the ship. The acknowledgement suggested a direct engagement by Iranian forces, marking a significant escalation in the broader conflict currently unfolding across West Asia.

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Reacting to the incident, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing strong concern about the growing attacks on commercial vessels operating in the region. The ministry said the ship had been bound for India and reiterated that targeting civilian shipping and endangering crew members violates the principle of freedom of navigation. The government also noted that lives, including those of Indian citizens, had already been lost in earlier attacks linked to the ongoing conflict.

India’s diplomatic engagement on the crisis has intensified in recent days. External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss developments in West Asia and possible diplomatic efforts to ease tensions. Jaishankar also spoke with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas regarding the wider repercussions of the conflict and the importance of maintaining international stability.

Indian officials have also emphasized the safety of the large Indian diaspora living and working across West Asian countries. The government said Indian missions in the region remain in close contact with community members and have issued regular advisories to ensure their safety. As tensions continue to escalate across the region, New Delhi has reiterated that the welfare of Indian citizens abroad remains a top priority while diplomatic efforts continue to address the rapidly evolving crisis.

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