US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks arrives at the Ministry of External Affairs after being summoned by the MEA to lodge a protest against attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman, in New Delhi on Friday | Photo Credit: ANI

India summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks on Friday, the second time in three days, and lodged a “strong protest” against the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which resulted in the loss of three lives.

“The Ministry once again conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time,” the MEA said in a statement.

Diplomatic meeting

The high-level diplomatic meeting followed American forces “disabling” three commercial ships in the Gulf of Oman this week. The attack on one of the ships, oil tanker MT Settebello, killed three Indian mariners. 

In its defence the US Central Command, on Thursday, stated that the vessels had violated the blockade against Iran. The operator of Settebello said it had no connections with Iranian oil.

“The US Chargé d’Affaires was requested to convey India’s strong concerns to his authorities and to ensure that US forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to prevent the loss of civilian life,” the MEA statement noted.

Iran condemns attacks

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, condemned the US  attacks. “The brutal US attacks on Indian commercial vessels which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy, Baghaei said in a post on ‘X’.

He said the international community must hold the US accountable for its “lawless conduct”, which threatened global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation.

The All India Seafarers Union (AISU), in an official statement, expressed its deep concern over the recent attacks on merchant ships and the growing security threats faced by seafarers across international waters.

It called upon governments, international maritime organisations, shipowners, and stakeholders, to take “immediate steps” to ensure the safety and security of all crew members operating in high-risk regions.

Published on June 12, 2026