US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that American forces acted against merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz because they were “violating” Washington’s blockade order, defending the recent strikes that killed three Indian mariners. In a phone call held while Jaishankar was travelling in Europe, Rubio said all commercial ships must comply immediately with US directives in the region and warned that the transport of Iranian oil would not be tolerated.
Jaishankar raised India’s strong objections during the conversation, highlighting the deaths of three Indian crew members in a US strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week. The incident occurred after three Indian‑crewed ships — MT Marivex, MT Settebello and MT Jalveer — came under US attack near Oman as tensions escalated around the strategically vital waterway.
India has summoned the senior US diplomat in New Delhi twice this week to protest the strikes, calling the use of lethal force against civilian shipping unacceptable and demanding accountability. New Delhi conveyed deep concern over the safety of Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels and urged Washington to ensure such incidents do not recur.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that attacks on merchant ships carrying Indian crew must stop immediately and called for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region. Public concern in India has grown sharply as repeated strikes have targeted vessels with Indian seafarers on board.