Indian crew safe after LPG tanker Meda attacked in Strait of Hormuz

Indian crew safe after LPG tanker Meda/Disha attacked in Strait of Hormuz

All 28 Indian seafarers aboard a liquefied petroleum gas vessel were confirmed safe on Friday, hours after the ship was struck in Iranian territorial waters. The Indian Embassy in Iran announced the attack on the Mozambique‑flagged vessel, identified as the Meda or Disha across available reports. The incident adds to a series of disruptions affecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that has seen fluctuating traffic as regional military tensions persist.

International bodies have responded to the deteriorating conditions. United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres urged world leaders to prioritize diplomacy, stating that the region is "teetering on the edge of the unimaginable." Addressing the UN Security Council, Guterres called for the restoration of navigational freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz and an immediate halt to hostilities. Separately, the UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, called for the urgent evacuation of approximately 6,000 sailors stranded in the waterway, characterizing the situation as a looming humanitarian crisis.

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Iran’s response

Iranian officials have framed the attacks on their territory as a breach of international law. Interior Minister Dr. Eskandar Momeni condemned the strikes, stating that they violate the country's sovereignty.

"Aggression against territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the violation of the country's integrity... are a clear manifestation of disregard for all international documents, including the United Nations Charter", said Iran Interior Minister Dr. Eskandar Momeni.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Kyrgyzstan, warned that Tehran would not tolerate threats and reaffirmed Iran’s sovereign right to regulate maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that Iran remains in regular consultation with Russia and China regarding regional developments.

U.S. And allied actions

United States Central Command reported the completion of its 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian targets. The military campaign has focused on command centres, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime assets, with the stated goal of reducing threats to commercial shipping. The U.S. Military maintains that the waterway remains open to commercial traffic, although shipping data from Kpler indicates that tanker activity has reached its lowest levels since May 7.

Regional neighbors have reported ongoing engagements. Kuwait’s military stated that its air defense systems intercepted hostile drones following what it described as Iranian aggression. Bahrain’s defence forces announced the interception of several missiles and drones, while Jordan’s armed forces reported intercepting seven Iranian missiles and six drones. Qatar has urged both Washington and Tehran to honor the memorandum of understanding regarding the freedom of navigation through the strait.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Jordan has issued a security advisory urging American citizens to reconsider travel across the Middle East, citing the risk of wider regional escalation and potential threats to U.S. Diplomatic facilities and interests.

Escalation context

Tensions in the region rose significantly following the July 8 declaration by President Donald Trump that the ceasefire outlined in last month's US-Iran memorandum of understanding was no longer in effect. In the weeks since, the two nations have exchanged a series of strikes. While Iranian officials have rejected a ceasefire proposal reportedly conveyed via the Iraqi Prime Minister, diplomatic channels remain open, with Iranian officials indicating that exchanges through mediators are continuing.