DID Press: Diplomatic tensions between the United States and India have intensified following reported maritime strikes in the Gulf of Oman that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.
According to the U.S. State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during which he emphasized that violations of maritime restrictions involving Iranian ports and oil transfers were “unacceptable.”
The U.S. side also urged all commercial vessels to comply with directives issued by American forces in the strategic waterway, saying the measures are aimed at ensuring security and stability in the region.
In response, Jaishankar said he strongly conveyed India’s protest over the U.S. strikes on vessels in the Gulf of Oman, calling the incident that led to the deaths of three Indian seafarers “unjustifiable.”
Indian officials said New Delhi has summoned the senior U.S. diplomat in the capital for the second time in a week to formally lodge its objection.
The escalation follows reports that three Indian sailors were killed in an attack on the tanker MT Sebeelo (flagged by Palau) near the coast of Oman.