politics
U.S. Forces Strike Three Ships in Strait of Hormuz, Killing Three Indian Sailors
U.S. military strikes hit three commercial vessels this week in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. Three Indian sailors died and at least 65 others were rescued after the attacks.
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U.S. forces struck three commercial vessels carrying Indian crews in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman between Monday and Thursday. Three Indian sailors were killed and the remaining crew members were rescued. The first strike occurred Monday on the Palau-flagged Marivex.
A crew member reported a missile hit to the engine room before Omani forces rescued all 24 Indian sailors. U.S. Central Command later confirmed an F-18 fighter jet from the USS Abraham Lincoln fired a precision munition to disable the vessel. The remaining 21 crew members were rescued.
On Thursday, U.S. Central Command said it had disabled a third tanker, the MT Jalveer, after the vessel attempted to transport Iranian oil.
India summoned U.S. embassy deputy chief of mission Jason Meeks on Wednesday to express its concerns. Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for an end to the attacks and a return to dialogue. ” International Maritime Organization secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez also condemned any action that endangers seafarers.
At least seven Indian sailors have been killed in the Strait of Hormuz region since March. Earlier attacks were attributed to Iranian forces or remained unattributed. The latest strikes occurred even as U.S. and Iranian officials discussed extending a ceasefire brokered in April.
