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Last Updated:June 12, 2026, 07:49 IST
The remarks came after Wednesday's attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello, which was carrying 24 Indian crew members.
MV Settebello was attacked by US forces near Oman on Wednesday. (ANI)
Attack on Indian Vessels: Iran on Friday strongly condemned the US strike on Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz that killed three Indian seafarers, accusing Washington of endangering international shipping and violating freedom of navigation.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described the attack as an act of “armed robbery and state piracy" and urged the international community to hold Washington accountable for such strikes.
In a post on X, Baghaei said, “The brutal US attacks on Indian commercial vessels, which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy. 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."
The brutal U.S. attacks on Indian commercial vessels which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy.We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and…
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) June 11, 2026
He further alleged that Washington’s actions threatened global peace and security and endangered maritime safety and freedom of navigation.
“The international community must hold the United States accountable for its lawless conduct, which continues to threaten global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation," he added.
The remarks came after Wednesday’s attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello, which was carrying 24 Indian crew members. India on Thursday confirmed the death of three sailors following the attack off the coast of Oman. The vessel was struck near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.
New Delhi strongly condemned the incident, summoning US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks and lodging a formal demarche. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the continuing attacks on shipping in the region as “deeply worrisome" and called for immediate de-escalation of tensions.
The MEA said attacks on commercial vessels were a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict in the region and reiterated India’s support for diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) also condemned the strike. IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez called any action that endangers seafarers and civilian shipping “simply unacceptable" and urged a full and transparent investigation into the incident.
However, the US has maintained that its military carried out a “precision" strike on the tanker, alleging that the vessel was transporting Iranian oil and had failed to comply with instructions.
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Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre...Read More
News world 'Armed Robbery, State Piracy': Iran Denounces US Strike On Vessel That Killed 3 Indian Sailors
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