India condemns Iranian attack on vessel off Oman; 1 national missing, 10 rescued

NEW DELHI, Jul 12: India on Sunday condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, saying one Indian national remains missing while 10 others have been rescued.

In a statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 11 Indian nationals were on board the Cyprus-flagged container ship at the time of the incident. It added that the Indian Embassy in Oman is working closely with Omani authorities in ongoing search and rescue efforts.

"The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome," the ministry said.

India called for immediate de-escalation and urged all parties to pursue a diplomatic resolution, stressing that attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must cease.

The ministry also emphasized that free and unimpeded navigation and international commerce through global waterways must be restored in accordance with international law.

Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it launched a third round of strikes against Iranian military targets this week after accusing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of attacking the GFS Galaxy while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The attack comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf and growing concerns over the security of commercial shipping in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.