The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has condemned the attack on the Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. The ship, which was en route to Kandla, India, was reportedly hit by explosives or projectiles amid the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel, which has affected commercial shipping in the region.
In a statement, India expressed concern that commercial
vessels are increasingly becoming targets of military operations in West Asia.
The ministry noted that precious lives, including Indian citizens, were lost in
previous attacks on merchant ships, and warned that the intensity and lethality
of such strikes appear to be rising.
India emphasized that attacking commercial ships and
endangering civilian crew members should be avoided, highlighting the
importance of protecting freedom of navigation and international trade.
The ministry’s statement reflects growing international
alarm over the escalating risks to maritime traffic and civilian safety in
strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported that the Mayuri
Nari and another vessel, Express Rome—linked to Israeli ownership and sailing
under the Liberian flag—were hit after allegedly ignoring warnings from Iranian
forces. Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC naval forces, said that any
ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain permission from Iran. The
incident occurs amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli military
actions against Iran earlier in March 2026.
