No more quiet diplomacy over Hormuz; India summons Iranian diplomat

TEHRAN: Iran aggression continues in the Strait of Hormuz as two UAE oil tankers were attacked off the coast of Oman early on Tuesday morning. An Indian sailor was killed.

Another Indian sailor was killed in an attack on another oil tanker on Sunday. With this, India dropped the amicable tone and got more stern in its warning against Iran. New Delhi summoned Iran's deputy ambassador to India and lodged a strong protest against targeting ordinary sailors.

The targeting of ships and civilian facilities must stop. India strongly condemned the obstruction of free and safe navigation in international waterways like Hormuz and expressed concern over the resumption of attacks in the region.

India also demanded the restoration of normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible. Iran attacked the ships Al Bahia and Mombasa. There were 30 Indian sailors on both ships. Ten of them were injured. The Indian sailor on Bahia was killed.

Iran alleged that the attack was carried out as the ships attempted to enter the Strait of Hormuz without permission and ignored warnings. The Norwegian chemical tanker " Stolt Magnesium " was also attacked off the coast of Oman yesterday, but the crew is safe.

Brent crude rose to $87.49 a barrel as shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was largely halted following the Iranian attack. This is the highest level since June 12.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency advised airlines to avoid airspace over Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and the Gulf of Oman until the end of this month. Brent crude rose to $87.49 a barrel as shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was largely halted following the Iranian attack. This is the highest level since June 12.

The US bombed military bases in southern Iran for five hours yesterday morning. Iran also carried out airstrikes targeting Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. No casualties were reported.