US Warns India Over Iran Oil Blockade Violations
The United States has issued a stern warning to India against violating the blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, following strikes that killed three Indian nationals. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed this message during a call with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Diplomatic Exchange Over Gulf Incidents
According to a State Department statement released on Saturday, Secretary Rubio held a conversation with Minister Jaishankar on Friday. The officials discussed recent events in the strategically vital waterway. Rubio emphasized that all commercial vessels must immediately comply with orders from US forces operating to maintain peace and security in the Strait. He underscored that violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.
India's Strong Protest
Minister Jaishankar confirmed the discussion on social media platform X. He stated, “I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.” The Indian government has taken a firm stance, summoning the top US diplomat in New Delhi for the second time in a week to protest the attacks, according to official sources.
Details of the US Strikes
On Thursday, the Indian government confirmed that at least three Indian nationals were killed after US forces targeted vessels off the coast of Oman. The US Central Command reported that it disabled three tankers—the Guinea-Bissau-flagged M/T Jalveer, and the Palau-flagged M/T Marivex and M/T Settebello—for attempting to transport Iranian oil.
The situation highlights growing tensions between the US and India over the enforcement of sanctions against Iran, with India calling for restraint and adherence to international norms regarding commercial shipping.
