MT Jalveer Attacked Near Hormuz Strait: Third Maritime Incident In Three Days

A cargo ship named MT Jalveer has come under attack near the coast of Oman, marking a significant escalation in maritime tensions in the Middle East. The vessel, which is reported to have 20 Indian sailors on board, was targeted while navigating near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to reports from Muscat Daily, while the attack has been confirmed by various sources, there is currently no immediate information regarding any casualties among the crew members or the specific extent of the physical damage sustained by the ship, while this incident represents the third such attack in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz within a span of just three days, raising serious concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers operating in these volatile waters.

Indian Embassy Monitoring the Situation

The Indian Embassy in Oman has officially acknowledged the incident, stating that they've received information regarding the situation involving the vessel near the port of Shinas. The embassy is in constant communication with local authorities and is closely monitoring the developments to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals on board. Visuals from the scene have emerged, showing smoke billowing from the ship, which indicates the severity of the encounter, although the specific nature of the weapon or method used in the attack remains unclear at this stage. The embassy remains the primary point of contact for updates regarding the status of the 20 Indian crew members.

Tragic Loss of Life in Previous Attack

This latest incident follows a devastating attack on Wednesday involving another cargo ship, the MT Settebello, which was flying the flag of Palau. In that particular strike, which was carried out by US forces near the Oman coast, three Indian sailors lost their lives. The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and their identities have been confirmed by the relevant authorities. Out of the 24 Indian sailors who were on board the MT Settebello at the time of the attack, 21 have been successfully rescued. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as extremely tragic and expressed the government's full support for the families of the deceased, while he has directed officials to expedite the repatriation of the rescued sailors and to ensure that the remains of the deceased are sent back to India for final rites as quickly as possible.

US Naval Actions and Regional Blockade

The maritime corridor has seen intense military activity, as just two days prior to the MT Settebello incident, the US Navy took action against another vessel carrying 24 Indians. The US military has confirmed these operations, justifying them as part of an ongoing effort to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports. According to US officials, the targeted ships were suspected of transporting Iranian oil and violating the sanctions imposed by the United States. The strategy, implemented under the administration of President Donald Trump, aims to increase pressure on Iran by intercepting or targeting any vessels believed to be involved in Iranian trade or oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. This geopolitical friction has placed commercial shipping and international crews, including many Indians, directly in the line of fire as the US continues its efforts to block Iranian maritime trade routes.