NEW DELHI, June 13: US President Donald Trump on Friday accused Iran of launching drone attacks against Indian linked commercial vessels transiting near the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions amid ongoing diplomatic friction between Washington and Tehran.
In a strongly worded statement posted on Truth Social, Trump alleged that Iranian drones targeted ships carrying Indian crew members in waters off the Oman coast. Describing the incident as “totally unacceptable,” the US President condemned what he called an aggressive act against international maritime traffic in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors.
The remarks followed a series of attacks on commercial vessels operating near Oman earlier this week. Three ships with Indian crew members reportedly came under assault, with one of the incidents resulting in the deaths of three Indian seafarers on Wednesday. The attacks have raised fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping routes in the Gulf region.
“Their totally rebuffed drone attack against Indian ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is totally unacceptable,” Trump said, while reiterating his criticism of Tehran’s regional conduct. He also accused Iran of leaking details of ongoing diplomatic discussions to the media, claiming the information released was unrelated to the actual issues under negotiation.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most critical maritime chokepoints in the world, handling a significant share of global oil and cargo shipments. Any disruption in the region has the potential to impact international trade and energy markets.
Meanwhile, India has expressed serious concern over the attacks involving Indian nationals. In response to the incidents, New Delhi summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy and sought explanations regarding the security situation surrounding commercial shipping operations near the Oman coast.
Indian authorities are closely monitoring developments and remain engaged with relevant international stakeholders to ensure the safety of Indian sailors working aboard merchant vessels operating in the region. Officials have also emphasized the need for accountability and enhanced maritime security measures to prevent further attacks.
The latest accusations come at a sensitive time for US-Iran relations, with diplomatic efforts already facing challenges over regional security issues and broader geopolitical disagreements. Trump’s comments are expected to add further strain to an already tense relationship between the two countries.
Security analysts note that the recent incidents underscore growing risks for commercial shipping in the Gulf and Arabian Sea, where geopolitical rivalries continue to influence maritime stability. Shipping companies and international maritime organizations have been urged to remain vigilant as investigations into the attacks continue.
As global attention turns to the region, the focus remains on determining responsibility for the assaults and ensuring the protection of civilian vessels and crew members navigating some of the world’s busiest sea lanes.