The Strait of Hormuz is once again on high alert after the attack on the Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel GFS Galaxy. The External Affairs Ministry confirmed on Sunday that 10 Indian nationals on board have been rescued while one Indian national is reportedly missing.

The container ship GFS Galaxy was identified by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as the vessel attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

According to an official statement on X by US Central Command, a civilian crew member remains missing, and the vessel has been rendered unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and engine room damage.

“At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM stated.

A container ship sustained damage to the rear of the vessel which has caused a fire onboard following an incident off the coast of Oman, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Saturday. According to UKMTO, the attack occurred 9 nautical miles east of Oman.

UKMTO stated that the crew had abandoned the ship and embarked on a lifeboat.

“UKMTO has spoken to the CSO of the container ship who confirms that the crew has been rescued by local authorities,” it said in a post on X.

The UKMTO did not disclose the name of the vessel.

India has condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, earlier today.

The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while 1 Indian national is reportedly missing.

It said the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation. India has thanked the Omani authorities for their support.

The ministry has expressed concern over the continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region and described them as “deeply worrisome.”

It reiterated the call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region.

The External Affairs Ministry said the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.

The Indian Embassy in Oman stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and announced that a search and rescue operation is underway.

According to maritime tracking data, the GFS Galaxy measures about 304 meters in length overall and 40 meters in width, and was last reported in the Persian Gulf two days ago.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in waters around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

CENTCOM said Iran had been granted an opportunity to demonstrate compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for previous attacks on commercial vessels, but had “again failed.”

“In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait. The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief,” the social media post said.

Responding to CENTCOM’s post on X, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote: “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.”

What Iranian FM says about the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei issued a statement today responding to reporters’ questions about the Iran-Oman talks held in Muscat on Saturday.

Baghaei said the meeting between the foreign ministers of Iran and Oman was aimed at coordinating between the two littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz regarding arrangements for the management of transit and navigation through the strategic waterway.

He said that the talks, which were also attended by legal and technical delegations from both countries, included discussions on ensuring the security and safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while respecting the sovereign rights of the two littoral states, the applicable rules of international law, and taking into account the provisions of Clause 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran maintains that future arrangements governing transit through the Strait of Hormuz should be developed through consultations between the two littoral states, taking into consideration the developments of recent months, particularly the imposed US-Zionist regime war and its security implications for navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” the ministry stressed in its statement.

Container ship hit, catches fire off Oman, 1 seafarer missing