India condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged cargo vessel near Oman after all 14 Indian crew members were safely rescued, raising fresh concerns over commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel, identified by Indian shipping officials as Haji Ali, sank after a suspected attack in Omani waters on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Indian Crew Rescued After Ship Attack Near Oman

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday, May 14, 2026, that the attack on an Indian-flagged ship off Oman was “unacceptable.” The ministry said commercial shipping and civilian mariners should not be targeted and thanked Omani authorities for rescuing the crew.

The Haji Ali, described as a wooden cargo dhow, was sailing from Somalia to the United Arab Emirates when the incident triggered a fire onboard. All 14 crew members were rescued by the Oman Coast Guard and taken to Diba port.

India did not identify who carried out the attack. Reuters reported that British maritime risk management group Vanguard assessed the explosion as a suspected drone or missile strike.

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters

The incident comes amid rising security risks around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy and commercial shipping between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

At least two other Indian-flagged ships have reportedly come under attack since the wider Iran conflict escalated on Friday, February 28, 2026. India previously raised concern with Iran after earlier incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels.

For India and other trading nations, the latest attack highlights the vulnerability of civilian ships moving through the Gulf region. It also adds pressure on governments to protect crews, cargo and freedom of navigation at a time when maritime tensions remain high.