Jaishankar Protests Death of 3 Indian Sailors, Raises Issue With Marco Rubio

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday lodged a strong protest with the United States over the deaths of three Indian sailors in attacks involving the US Navy in the Gulf region. The issue was raised during a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

'Such Actions Not Justified'

In a post on X, Jaishankar said he conveyed India's serious concerns over the incidents. "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," he said.

Three Indian Seafarers Killed

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, vessels carrying Indian crew members came under attack off the coast of Oman earlier this week. One of the incidents, reported on Wednesday, resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers.

India has also summoned the US Embassy's Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi to formally register its protest over the deaths and seek an explanation regarding the attacks.

Trump Blames Iran

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks on Indian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the alleged attack as "totally unacceptable" and urged Tehran to act immediately.

Iran Rejects Allegations

Iran strongly denied the accusations. The Iranian Embassy in India termed Trump's claims "baseless" and alleged that Washington was attempting to divert attention from attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian sailors.

In a statement posted on X, the Iranian Embassy claimed that three Indian vessels had come under attack in less than a week, resulting in the deaths of three Indian sailors. It described the incidents as "brutal" and criticized the US administration.

MT Settebello Incident

One of the vessels involved, MT Settebello, reportedly came under fire on Wednesday after US forces accused it of violating a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Of the 24 Indian crew members onboard, 21 were rescued, while three sailors were later confirmed dead.

Diplomatic Tensions Escalate

The deaths of the Indian mariners have added a new dimension to rising tensions in the Gulf, with India demanding accountability while the US and Iran continue to trade allegations over attacks on commercial shipping in the region.