HYDERABAD (Bernama): India on Friday lodged a "strong protest" with the US over attacks on Indian-crewed vessels in the Gulf of Oman this week.
The US Embassy's charge d'affaires, Jason Meeks, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs and asked to convey India's concerns to the US government over the US military's use of "lethal and deadly force" against civilian shipping.
"A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives," the ministry said in a statement.
Three Indian seafarers were killed after the Palau-flagged vessel Settebello was hit by the US military off Oman on Wednesday.
The Guinea-Bissau-flagged asphalt tanker Jalveer was attacked off Oman's Shinas port on Thursday, while the Palau-flagged oil tanker Marivex was struck on June 8 as the US forces enforced their sea blockade of Iran.
"Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time," it said.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, in a social media post earlier, criticised the attacks on Indian commercial vessels.
"We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and offer our sincere condolences to the Indian people and government," he said. -- Bernama
