India says 12 crew injured, 11 of them Indian, after tanker attacked off Oman

Twelve crew members on a Panama-flagged tanker were injured in an attack while crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, India said.

New Delhi's foreign ministry condemned the tanker attack off Oman and called for an immediate end to strikes on shipping.

What happened to the tanker MT On Peace?

The Panama-flagged tanker MT On Peace was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, India's foreign ministry said.

The tanker had a 19-member crew, including 17 Indians. Of the 12 injured, 11 are Indian. Omani authorities helped evacuate them, and they are receiving treatment in Khasab, Oman.

What did India say about the tanker attack off Oman?

"We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace... it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz," the ministry said in a statement. It added that "the continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region remain a cause of deep concern for India."

The statement also said: "We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region."

"The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest."

How have Hormuz attacks affected Indian sailors?

India is one of the largest contributors of sailors to merchant shipping worldwide. Several of its mariners have been killed in Hormuz attacks since the Middle East war began on February 28.

An attack on a cargo ship in the same region last month killed an Indian sailor, according to New Delhi.

Why are ships being attacked in the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran has sought to impose its control over the vital shipping lane for Gulf oil and gas since the start of the war. It has occasionally struck ships accused of failing to coordinate with its authorities or deviating from its preferred route.

In retaliation, the United States has been enforcing a counter-blockade of Iranian ports. It has also carried out strikes of its own on ships it says refuse to comply.