India has strongly condemned the attacks on two vessels during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, were carrying a total of 30 Indian seafarers, and the attacks killed at least one Indian national and seriously injured two.
In a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, the South Asian country also condemned the acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways.
“We also reiterate our deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West-Asian region.
“We call for immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease so that free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways in the region.
Also Read: Trump says Washington will control Strait of Hormuz
The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified on Wednesday as Washington carried out fresh airstrikes, reinstated its naval blockade on Iran and warned of further military action if Tehran refuses to resume negotiations.
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the blockade on Iranian ports, which had been lifted under a memorandum of understanding reached in June, had been reimposed. He said the US was prepared to widen its military campaign if Iran continued to reject talks.
Trump said, ‘I’ll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we’ll hit energy targets.’ He added, ‘Next week comes the power plants, next week comes the bridges. Unless they get to the table and negotiate.’ Trump also claimed US officials had warned Iran that they ‘better make a deal.’
The US Central Command said its latest strikes targeted military infrastructure used by Iran to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation followed earlier attacks on missile launch sites, drone facilities, coastal defense systems and other military assets in southern Iran.
The renewed naval blockade came into effect at 20:00 GMT, restricting vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports. Trump maintained that while Iranian ships would be affected, the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to international shipping. The US continues to maintain a strong military presence in the region, with more than 20 Navy warships and hundreds of aircraft deployed.
Iran retaliated by launching drone strikes on US positions at Jordan’s Azraq Air Base. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, also targeted weapons storage sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
Iranian media reported fresh US strikes near Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Qeshm Island, all located close to the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran also announced that it had once again closed the strategic waterway.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi rejected US pressure, saying, ‘If the US thinks that by tightening its measures against us, its military actions and its economic blockade, we will return to negotiations, it is making a mistake.’
The US also announced new sanctions targeting a shipping network allegedly linked to Iranian oil exports. According to the Treasury Department, more than 200 individuals, companies and vessels have been sanctioned, with their US-based assets frozen and American businesses barred from dealing with them.
With military action, economic sanctions and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz all intensifying, hopes of preserving the June truce have weakened further, raising fresh concerns over stability in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.
NAN
