India has summoned a U.S. diplomat for a second time over attacks on tankers off the coast of Oman – Reuters
On Friday, June 12, India summoned the deputy head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Delhi to lodge a protest over attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman. This is the second such diplomatic move in the past three days, indicating growing tensions surrounding incidents in the region.
Jason Mix, the deputy head of the U.S. mission in the country, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry for the first time on Wednesday, June 10, following a U.S. Navy attack on a tanker flying the Palau flag, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.
On Thursday, another vessel with 20 Indians on board was struck. This time, no deaths or injuries have been reported.
“The Foreign Ministry summoned Mix to lodge a protest against the attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman. Yesterday, another vessel with 20 Indian crew members on board was attacked,” said an Indian source.
Reuters notes that New Delhi and Washington have built a close strategic partnership over the past two decades, so instances where India summons a U.S. diplomat to lodge a protest are rare.
Reuters reports that the strong ties between the two countries have come under strain during President Donald Trump’s second term. They were strained by Washington’s imposition of tariffs, as well as by interactions with India’s rivals—Pakistan and China.
As a reminder, the attack on the Settebello tanker in the Gulf of Oman sparked a conflict between the U.S. and India.
Oil prices rose amid Iran’s statements about closing the Strait of Hormuz
Global oil prices rose on June 10, partially offsetting losses from the previous trading session, when prices fell to their lowest level in seven weeks. The main factors driving the price increase were new U.S. military strikes against Iran and a significant reduction in U.S. oil inventories.
Global oil prices surged during Monday’s trading due to the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East.
