Washington/Tehran/New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of launching a drone attack on Indian ships departing the Strait of Hormuz, further escalating tensions in an already volatile Gulf region. Iran, however, has strongly rejected the allegation, calling it “baseless” and politically motivated.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that an Iranian drone attack targeting Indian vessels had been successfully repelled and described the incident as “totally unacceptable.” The US President also criticized Iran’s conduct during ongoing peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran, accusing Iranian officials of acting in bad faith.
The accusation comes days after a series of maritime incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes. Tensions have remained high despite reports of progress in US-Iran peace talks aimed at ending months of military confrontation.
Iranian officials quickly dismissed Trump’s allegations, stating that Tehran had not targeted any Indian vessels and that the claims lacked evidence. Iranian representatives argued that such statements could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts and further complicate negotiations between the two countries.
The controversy follows growing concern in India over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in Gulf waters. Earlier this week, three Indian sailors were killed in an attack involving a merchant vessel near Oman, prompting strong diplomatic protests from New Delhi and renewed calls for protecting civilian shipping.
India has repeatedly emphasized that commercial vessels and civilian crews should not become targets amid regional conflicts. The Ministry of External Affairs has described attacks on merchant ships as deeply concerning and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the crisis. Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a major concern for international trade and energy markets. Recent military activity, including drone interceptions and naval operations, has heightened fears about the security of maritime traffic in the region.
Despite the latest exchange of accusations, diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran remain open. Both sides have acknowledged progress in negotiations, although disagreements persist over sanctions relief, nuclear restrictions and maritime security arrangements.
Global markets are closely monitoring developments, as any escalation around the Strait of Hormuz could affect oil supplies, shipping costs and international trade flows. Analysts warn that even isolated incidents involving commercial vessels can have significant economic consequences.
For now, Trump’s allegation and Iran’s denial have added another layer of uncertainty to an already complex regional crisis. With peace talks still underway and maritime security concerns unresolved, the situation remains highly sensitive for countries including India that depend heavily on Gulf shipping routes for trade and energy imports.
