Sunday saw another major clash between the US and Iran. The biggest reason for this is the attack on a Cyprus-flagged ship off the coast of Oman. India has now also reacted to this attack. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement issued on Sunday, condemned the attack on the Indian ship GFS Galaxy. According to information received, there were 11 Indian nationals on the ship. Out of them, 10 have been rescued safely. One such Indian is still missing. Rescue operations are underway to find him.
What did India say?
The Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation. A rescue operation is underway with the cooperation of the Omani authorities to find the missing Indians. India has also expressed gratitude to the Omani government for its assistance in the rescue operation. India said that the continuous attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz are a matter of serious concern. Such attacks pose a threat not only to maritime trade but also to peace and stability in the entire region. Therefore, all parties should immediately de-escalate and seek a negotiated solution.
Ship abandoned in the middle of the sea
Following the attack, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the UK Maritime Security Organization, UKMTO, were activated. CENTCOM said that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a powerful attack on the container ship. After the attack, the ship caught fire and the engine room was damaged. As a result, the ship could not proceed further. UKMTO said that all crew members boarded lifeboats and abandoned the ship in the middle of the sea.
US strikes on 140 Iranian targets
The US military said on Sunday that it had carried out air strikes on about 140 Iranian targets. The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said the targeted facilities included missile and drone launch sites, ammunition depots, communications equipment and other facilities. CENTCOM said the aim of the attack was to “attack civilian and commercial shipping that navigates unimpeded through the Strait of Hormuz and to undermine Iran’s ability to conduct its business.” In response, Iran launched strikes on Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE on Sunday morning.
