Strait of Hormuz blockade: US tells India illicit Iranian oil transport will not be tolerated

The United States said it told India that breaking the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz will not be accepted. The US also warned against what it called illicit transport of Iranian oil. The message followed rising tensions after Indian crew members were affected in attacks near Oman.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed the warning to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, according to Washington. S Jaishankar spoke to Marco Rubio on Friday. S Jaishankar raised a strong protest after Indian nationals died in US attacks on ships off Oman.

Strait of Hormuz blockade and Iranian oil transport

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Marco Rubio stressed compliance by commercial shipping. The Secretary said vessels should follow orders from US forces at once. The US said it aims to maintain peace and security in the Strait. Pigott added that breaches of the blockade and Iranian oil transport would not be allowed.

The US has enforced a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz since April 13. The measure has blocked ships travelling to and from ports of the Islamic Republic. Washington said the goal was to stop Tehran earning revenue from oil trade. The warning to India linked directly to this policy and enforcement.

Strait of Hormuz blockade and Indian ships off Oman

Three vessels with Indian crew were attacked off the Oman coast this week. One attack led to the death of three Indian seafarers on Wednesday. S Jaishankar later spoke to Marco Rubio about the incident. S Jaishankar described the strike as a US military attack on a merchant vessel.

After the call, S Jaishankar posted on X about the deaths and the wider issue. "Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,\" Jaishankar said in a post on X after he spoke with Rubio. The statement came as India sought clarity on the circumstances around the incident.

Earlier on Friday, India summoned US Charge dAffaires Jason Meeks in New Delhi. India said American military strikes on commercial vessels with Indian crew were unacceptable. The protest was delivered before later statements from Washington and other capitals. The exchange showed the issue had moved into formal diplomatic channels.

Strait of Hormuz blockade and Trump allegations on Iran

Hours later, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of drone attacks on Indian ships leaving the strait. \"Their Irans totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together and FAST,\" Trump claimed in a post on Truth Social.

Iran rejected the accusation and criticised the US account of events. \"The US presidents accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is simply baseless,\" the Iranian Embassy in India said. \"It is an attempt to divert public attention from the brutal fact that the US has attacked 3 Indian vessels in less than a week and killed 3 innocent Indian sailors. Thats pathetic!\" it said in a social media post late Friday night.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has faced heavy disruption since February 28. The disruption followed joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliation. Marine traffic problems continued even after a ceasefire began on April 8. The US and Iran statements added to uncertainty for commercial vessels using the route.

With inputs from PTI