Indian sailor killed as Iranian missiles hit UAE tankers in Strait of Hormuz

At least one Indian seafarer has been killed and nine others injured after Iranian missiles struck two United Arab Emirates-flagged oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to officials. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Iran's Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over the attacks.

The two vessels—MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa—were transiting through the strategic waterway when they came under fire. Of the 46 crew members aboard, 30 were Indians. The MEA confirmed that one Indian national on MT Al Bahiyah died and another was injured. On MT Mombasa, nine Indians sustained injuries, two of them serious.

The incident marks an escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran. The UAE Ministry of Defence reported that the tankers were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while in Omani territorial waters. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's shipping arm stated that the vessels suffered significant damage.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility, stating that two 'offending' supertankers were hit and disabled after ignoring warnings and turning off navigation systems while attempting to pass through a mined route. The IRGC did not name the vessels.

The attack comes days after an Indian seafarer went missing when a Cyprus-flagged ship was targeted by Iran on Sunday. His family in Pune later confirmed his death.

In a statement, the MEA said: 'We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.' The ministry called for an immediate cessation of violence, particularly the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure, and urged a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reversed a proposal to charge a 20% transit fee for guarding the strait, instead announcing trade and investment deals with Gulf states. The US has carried out strikes against Iranian positions after Tehran declared the strait closed, though Trump later stated the waterway is open to all shipping except Iran's.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, with about 20% of the world's petroleum passing through. The escalation raises concerns about regional stability and the safety of commercial shipping.