Indian National Killed in Iranian “Suicide” Boat Attack on US Oil Tanker Near Iraq

An Indian national has been killed following an Iranian “suicide” boat attack on a US-owned oil tanker near Iraq’s Khor Al Zubair port. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday within Iraqi territorial waters, has sparked fresh concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers caught in the escalating West Asia conflict.

The Incident: A Targeted Strike

The vessel, the Safesea Vishnu, is a Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker owned by US interests. According to sources, the ship was intercepted by an unmanned, explosive-laden boat launched by Iranian forces.

• Casualties: One Indian national was killed in the blast. Their identity is currently being withheld.
• Survivors: The remaining 27 crew members were successfully rescued and transported to Basra for safety.
• The Vessel: Built in 2007, the Safesea Vishnu is a massive carrier (73,976 DWT) measuring nearly 229 meters in length.

“Collateral Damage”: The Risk to Indian Sailors

Sources close to the shipping company, Safesea, expressed devastation over the loss and issued a stark warning regarding the vulnerability of Indian maritime workers.

“As Indians constitute over 15% of the global seafaring workforce, Indian nationals will continue to be ‘collateral damage’ regardless of which ship Iran targets,” the sources noted.

The company has urged the Indian government to issue a strong condemnation of the strike and implement urgent measures to protect its citizens working on international vessels in the region.

Global Repercussions and UN Response

The attack coincided with a major diplomatic move at the United Nations. The UN Security Council, under US presidency, passed a resolution on Wednesday condemning Iran’s “egregious” attacks against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan.

Key details of the resolution:

• Co-Sponsorship: India was one of 135 countries to co-sponsor the resolution.
• The Vote: 13 members voted in favor, while Russia and China abstained.
• Demands: The council demanded an immediate end to Tehran’s hostilities and denounced threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies.

The resolution reiterated unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan.