Blockade violation won't be tolerated: Rubio to Jaishankar as India protests attacks

The conversation between Marco Rubio and S Jaishankar occurred days after a US attack killed three Indian seafarers off the Oman Coast. Jaishankar reiterated India's strong protest over the attack during the conversation with Marco Rubio.

In Short

• New Delhi expressed strong protest over US attacks killing Indian seafarers
• Three Indian crew members died in US strike on MT Settebello off Oman coast
• India rescued 21 crew, confirmed three missing sailors dead

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday told External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that Washington would not tolerate any violation of the blockade in the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz, signalling a defiant stance a day after India protested and raised concerns over recent US attacks on oil tankers off the Oman coast that left three Indian seafarers dead.

The development comes as India summoned the US Charg d'Affaires, Jason Meeks, twice this week. The first summon came after a US attack hit a Palau-flagged oil tanker named MT Settebello off the Oman Coast, leading to the death of three Indian mariners. The second summon followed shortly, as another merchant vessel carrying 20 Indian crew members came under attack at the same location.

After consecutive summonses and a phone call from S Jaishankar to Marco Rubio, where he voiced sharp condemnation regarding the loss of lives, the US Department of Justice also released a statement based on the conversation between the two leaders.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke yesterday with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two officials discussed recent events in the Strait of Hormuz. The Secretary stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait. He underscored that violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated," the statement read.

Earlier, Jaishankar also wrote on X that he 'reiterated India’s strong protest' after the attack on Settebello claimed three lives.

“Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified," Jaishankar wrote on X.

Meanwhile, the US President, Donald Trump, accused Iran of killing Indian seafarers by launching a failed drone attack on Indian ships.

"Their totally rebuffed drone attack last night against Indian ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE." Trump wrote on Truth Social.

DEEPLY SHOCKED, SAYS SHASHI THAROOR AFTER US RELEASED STATEMENT

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that he was shocked to see the US's unapologetic stance over the attack that killed the seafarers.

"Deeply shocking to read this official US statement, which contains absolutely no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives. How can a “friend” and strategic partner be so deeply insensitive?" he said.

"Why couldn’t a non-compliant commercial vessel have been stopped using other, non-lethal means? Is it not possible to disable a ship's propulsion or steering without firing missiles targeted to kill civilian crew members?" he further added.

- Ends