One Indian Missing, Ten Rescued After Iran Attack On Ship Near Oman

One Indian national remains missing while ten others have been rescued after a Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a major search and rescue operation and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the incident involved the merchant ship GFS Galaxy, which reportedly caught fire after the attack, forcing crew members to abandon the vessel. The Indian Embassy in Oman is coordinating closely with local authorities as efforts continue to locate the missing Indian crew member.

In an official statement, the MEA said that 11 Indian nationals were on board the vessel at the time of the attack. Ten have been rescued safely, while one remains unaccounted for. The ministry said the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant touch with Omani authorities overseeing the ongoing search and rescue operation. The government has also assured that all necessary assistance is being extended to the affected Indian nationals and their families.

India strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel and expressed concern over the growing number of incidents targeting civilian shipping in the region. The MEA described the continued attacks on commercial vessels as "deeply worrisome" and reiterated India's call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions. It stressed that commercial ships and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted and called for the restoration of free and unhindered navigation through international waterways in accordance with international law.

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According to reports, Iran justified the attack by alleging that the vessel had taken an "unauthorised" route through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Following the incident, Iran announced the closure of the vital maritime passage, one of the world's busiest oil shipping routes. The development has further heightened concerns over energy security and international maritime trade, with several countries closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation.

The United States responded by launching another round of military strikes, stating that the action was aimed at reducing Iran's capability to target commercial shipping in the region. US Central Command said Iran had failed to honour previous understandings regarding the safety of civilian vessels and added that the damaged GFS Galaxy was no longer capable of continuing its voyage. American officials also confirmed that a civilian crew member remained missing following the attack.

The latest confrontation marks another escalation in the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, despite recent diplomatic discussions involving Iran and Oman over security in the Strait of Hormuz. With attacks on commercial shipping continuing and military responses intensifying, concerns are growing over regional stability and the safety of international maritime trade. India has urged all parties to pursue diplomatic solutions and restore peace and stability while ensuring the protection of civilian vessels operating in the region.

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