10 Indian crew rescued, one missing after ship attack off Oman: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Sunday that 10 of the 11 Indian nationals aboard a commercial vessel attacked off the coast of Oman have been rescued, while one remains missing.

In a statement condemning the attack on the vessel GFS Galaxy, the MEA said India's embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation. 'We thank the Omani authorities for their support,' the statement added.

The MEA described the continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region as 'deeply worrisome.' It reiterated calls for immediate de-escalation of tensions and a diplomatic solution to restore peace and stability. 'The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest, in keeping with international law,' the ministry said.

The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States reportedly carried out strikes on Iran early Sunday in response to an Iranian attack on a vessel in the strait that set a container ship ablaze. Iran has also allegedly attacked targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman.

The narrow strait, which lies within the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman, has long been considered an international waterway. It has become a key point of contention in negotiations between Iran and the United States to end the conflict that began on February 28.

The latest violence follows a meeting between the foreign ministers of Iran and Oman on Saturday to discuss the strait, after days of Iranian attacks on ships and US retaliation that undermined an interim deal to end the war. Oman stated that it and Iran agreed to continue discussions on the Strait of Hormuz at technical and political levels.