India on Tuesday condemned Iranian attacks on an oil industry complex in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that injured three Indians, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing the targeting of civilians and infrastructure as “unacceptable”.
The Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone in the UAE was targeted by drones and missiles on Monday, soon after the US administration launched Project Freedom to escort stranded merchant vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed by Iran since the West Asia conflict began on February 28. Track Iran war May 5 news here
“Strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals. Targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable,” Modi said on social media. “India stands in firm solidarity with the UAE and reiterates its support for the peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy.”
Modi said that ensuring safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is “vital for enduring regional peace, stability and global energy security”.
{{/usCountry}}Modi said that ensuring safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is “vital for enduring regional peace, stability and global energy security”.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, a statement from the external affairs ministry too described the attack on Fujairah as unacceptable. “We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians,” the statement said.
The ministry reiterated India’s backing for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation and to restore peace and stability across West Asia. It also called for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law, and said India “stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues”.
Both the PM’s social media post and the external affairs ministry's statement did not directly refer to Iran. The UAE has accused Iran of carrying out attacks with missiles and drones on Monday, including the strike on the oil industry complex in the eastern emirate of Fujairah.
Three Indians sustained moderate injuries in a major fire at the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone and were treated in hospital.
Monday's attacks were the first on the UAE since Iran and the US agreed to a ceasefire on April 8.
Iran's state broadcaster IRIB quoted a military source as attributing the incidents to “US military adventurism aimed at creating a passage for the illegal transit of ships through the restricted waterways of the Strait of Hormuz”. The source also said Iran had “no pre‑planned programme to attack the mentioned oil facilities”.