Iranian Attack Indian Crew: Iranian Coast Guard forces attacked a chemical tanker traveling off the coast of Oman. The Union Ministry of Ports confirmed that 12 Indian crew members were on board the vessel. This incident which took place on April 25 came to light late. What actually happened is that the Togo-flagged chemical tanker MT Siron was going along with other ships near the border of Shinas port in Oman. At that time the Iranian Coast Guard fired a warning shot. The Indian crew of the ship narrowly escaped the danger of their lives in this attack.
Government of India’s response..
Union Ports Ministry Director Mandeep Singh Randhawa spoke to reporters on Monday about this incident. “On April 25, there was an attack on MT Siran. Reported that there were Indian crew on board. All the crew are safe now,” he said. He revealed that the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian embassies and other high officials are closely monitoring the situation. Randhawa made it clear that the government is committed to the safety of Indian seafarers in sea voyages. In fact, this is not the first time that Iranian forces have attacked Indian ships like this. In the past too, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards had attacked two Indian ships. VLCC Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav vessels were fired upon by Iranian forces while crossing the ‘Strait of Hormuz‘. The Indian government has already expressed strong protest against this series of incidents. Currently, with the latest incident on the coast of Oman, tensions have increased in the waters of West Asia.
