New Delhi: India on Sunday condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, describing the repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region as "deeply worrisome." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 10 Indian nationals on board the vessel had been rescued, while one Indian crew member remains missing.
The MEA said the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and is coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation. It also thanked the Omani government for its support and assistance.
In a statement, the ministry reiterated India's call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and urged all parties to pursue ongoing diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability in the region. It stressed that attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must end and called for the restoration of free and unhindered navigation and commerce through international waterways in accordance with international law.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said its officials are in constant contact with the Omani authorities, the vessel's management and other concerned stakeholders, and are extending all possible assistance to those affected.
Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy was attacked by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to CENTCOM, the attack left one civilian crew member missing, triggered an onboard fire and caused significant damage to the vessel's engine room, rendering it unable to continue its voyage.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said US forces had launched a third round of strikes against Iran this week in response to the attack, alleging that Iran had once again failed to adhere to previous commitments regarding the safety of commercial shipping. It said the strikes were intended to degrade Iran's capability to target civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime routes, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil trade passes, making it vital to international energy security.
With IANS inputs