US President Donald Trump on Friday accused Iran of launching drone attacks against Indian ships near the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions escalated between Washington and New Delhi over American missile strikes that killed three Indian sailors. In a post on his social media platform, Trump wrote: “Also, their (Iran’s) totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together, and FAST!”
The accusation came hours after India summoned a senior US diplomat to South Block for the second time on Friday to express displeasure over the American attacks. Notably, Trump did not address the deaths of the Indian sailors in his statement.
US attacks on Indian-crewed vessels
In recent days, US Navy and Centcom forces have struck multiple tankers with Indian crew members in the Gulf of Oman. Among them was the Palau-flagged MT Settebello, where three Indian sailors were killed. US forces also targeted MT Marivex, described as a “sanctioned tanker,” and 24 Indian crew members were rescued by Omani forces after the attack. Additionally, the US strike on MV Jalveer, which also had Indian personnel, remains unclear in terms of casualties.
The US Central Command confirmed the attacks, calling them “precision” strikes on engine rooms. According to the US, the vessels allegedly violated the US blockade of Iranian ports, were suspected of carrying Iranian oil, and “repeatedly failed to comply with directions” from American forces. An F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln reportedly “fired a precision munition into the ship's engineering and steering spaces” to disable the vessels.
Location of attacks questioned
While official US responses focused on operational necessity without expressing regret for Indian losses, the Forward Seamen's Union of India identified MT Marivex as being 28 kilometers (17 miles) off the coast of Oman when struck—well beyond the Strait of Hormuz that Trump referred to.
Diplomatic fallout
India has lodged a protest over the attacks, summoning a senior US diplomat twice in one day. The Ministry of External Affairs conveyed its displeasure over the loss of Indian lives and the targeting of vessels with Indian crew. The situation remains tense as both nations navigate the implications of the US-Iran standoff on regional security.
