India on Wednesday expressed deep concern over recent attacks targeting commercial vessels in West Asia, urging all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and ensure the protection of civilians as well as the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and global commerce.
MEA Statement on Regional Stability
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said New Delhi was closely watching the evolving situation in the region following fresh attacks on commercial shipping transiting international waterways. "India is deeply concerned over the recent attacks and escalation of tensions in West Asia, which have followed fresh targeting of commercial shipping transiting international waterways in the region," the MEA said.
The ministry warned that the latest developments could have serious implications for regional stability and security and for immediate efforts to reduce tensions. "These developments risk undermining regional peace, security and stability," the statement read. India called upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and ensure protection of civilians as well as the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and commerce.
Call for Dialogue and Diplomacy
Reiterating its longstanding position in favor of dialogue and diplomacy, the ministry urged the parties involved to pursue a peaceful resolution. "We urge the parties to return to dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict," the statement added.
US Strikes Against Iran
India's remarks came a day after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had carried out a fresh round of offensive strikes against Iran on July 7, targeting more than 80 sites in response to Tehran's latest attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to a CENTCOM statement, the strikes targeted Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small boats operating in and around the strategic waterway.
The attacks were retaliatory strikes against Iran, which had recently attacked three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz: the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan, and the Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity. "The unwarranted aggression by Iranian forces is a clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire and undermines freedom of navigation," CENTCOM said. "CENTCOM forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable when the agreement is not adhered to or obeyed."
Iranian Retaliation
In retaliation for the US attacks, Tehran launched drone and missile strikes against US-linked military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to Iran's state-affiliated Fars News Agency. Citing the Iranian Army Public Relations, Fars reported that Iranian army drones targeted the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain early Wednesday morning. The IRGC further stated that it had carried out a large-scale joint missile and drone operation targeting 85 key US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. According to Fars, "IRGC Navy and Aerospace Forces, during a joint missile and drone operation, pounded 85 key US military facilities in Salman Port, the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait."
In a separate statement, an IRGC spokesperson claimed that Iranian air defenses had shot down an American MQ-9 drone over Bushehr Province.
