New Delhi: India on July 12 condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, saying one Indian national remains missing while 10 others have been rescued, as New Delhi renewed its call for immediate de-escalation and the restoration of safe navigation through international waterways.In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, earlier today.” It said that of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 had been rescued so far while one Indian national was “reportedly missing.”The MEA said the Indian embassy in Oman was closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation. It also thanked the Omani authorities for their support.Describing the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region as “deeply worrisome,” India reiterated its 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 ministry also said that “the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end,” and called for the restoration of “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law.”Iran hasn’t acknowleged attack on vessel The MEA did not identify who was responsible for the attack.The statement came hours after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of attacking the Cyprus-flagged container ship while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said the vessel suffered significant engine room damage and caught fire, leaving it unable to continue its voyage, while one civilian crew member remained missing.CENTCOM said the attack prompted the United States to launch a third round of strikes against Iran this week, describing the operation as aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.According to the Associated Press, the latest operation struck around 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition depots and communications infrastructure, making it the largest of the three rounds of US strikes carried out over the past week. Washington said the operation was intended to degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz.Iran has not acknowledged attacking the vessel. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said several ships had ignored warnings and instructions to follow what it described as approved routes through the strait, adding that one vessel was struck with a “warning shot” and brought to a stop. Iranian authorities have also maintained that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until further notice and warned of further action if the country comes under additional attack.The latest exchange came a day after Iranian and Omani officials met to discuss navigation through the strategic waterway. Oman said the two sides had agreed to continue discussions at the technical and political levels, but there was no indication that Iran would reopen the strait to unrestricted commercial traffic, a key objective for Washington.The attack also triggered another round of regional escalation. Following the US strikes, Iran launched attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, all of which host American military facilities, further widening the conflict beyond Iranian territory.The GFS Galaxy was sailing along the Omani coastline, a route merchant vessels have increasingly adopted to avoid Iranian territorial waters while entering and leaving the Persian Gulf.Last month, India twice summoned the US embassy’s chargé d’affaires, Jason Meeks, to protest American attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman. The second démarche followed the deaths of three Indian sailors aboard the tanker Settebello, with the MEA describing the use of “lethal and deadly force” against civilian shipping as “unacceptable” and urging Washington to ensure its forces took all necessary measures to prevent further civilian casualties.Earlier this year, in April, India summoned Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Fathali, after two Indian-flagged vessels came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz, conveying its “deep concern” over the incident and urging Tehran to resume facilitating the passage of India-bound ships through the strategic waterway.