BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, June 12: As Washington and Tehran inch closer to what could be a landmark peace agreement, US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of attempting to attack Indian merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most volatile waterways.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump claimed that Iranian forces had launched a drone attack against Indian ships departing the Strait of Hormuz, describing the alleged incident as “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.”
“Their totally rebuffed drone attack last night against Indian ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” Trump wrote.
The US President did not identify the vessels allegedly targeted, nor did he provide evidence to support the claim. Iranian authorities had not publicly responded to the accusation at the time of publication.
The allegation comes amid growing anxiety in New Delhi over the safety of Indian sailors operating in the Gulf region, where escalating tensions between the United States and Iran have already affected several merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members.
Over the past week, three oil tankers with dozens of Indian sailors on board have been caught up in military action linked to the ongoing crisis.
On June 8, US forces disabled the Palau-flagged tanker Marivex, which was carrying 24 Indian crew members. All were rescued safely. Two days later, another Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello, came under a US strike while carrying 24 Indian sailors. Three crew members were killed in the attack.
A third vessel, Jalveer, sailing under the Guinea-Bissau flag with 20 Indian crew members on board, was also attacked on Thursday, further intensifying concerns about the security of commercial shipping in the region.
READ: US and Iran Edge Toward Landmark Interim Deal
US President Donald Trump on Truth Social (@realDonaldTrump) posts, “The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing. What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation… pic.twitter.com/uSxmn8uYEY
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2026
In response, India summoned US Charg d’Affaires Jason Meeks for the second time this week after another merchant vessel carrying Indian nationals came under attack near the coast of Oman. The Ministry of External Affairs sought an explanation from Washington amid mounting concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) also issued a fresh security advisory for nearly 18,000 Indian sailors operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and adjoining waters, urging ships to maintain heightened vigilance and adopt enhanced security measures.
Trump’s accusation against Iran came at a particularly sensitive moment, with reports suggesting that negotiators from both countries are close to finalising an interim agreement aimed at ending months of confrontation.
In the same social media post, Trump accused Tehran of leaking misleading information about the ongoing negotiations and insisted that details published by Iranian media did not reflect the actual terms discussed between the two sides.
“The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing,” Trump said.
He further alleged that Iranian officials were misrepresenting the negotiations and questioned Tehran’s commitment to reaching a genuine settlement.
Iranian Media Publish Details of Proposed Peace Framework
The latest dispute follows reports in Iranian media outlining a proposed 14-point framework intended to end the three-month conflict that has rattled global energy markets and disrupted maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, the draft memorandum of understanding includes provisions for sanctions relief, phased economic measures and a 60-day negotiation period following the signing of an interim accord.
Meanwhile, Fars News Agency, which is closely associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that no final agreement has yet been approved. Citing sources familiar with the negotiations, the agency said discussions between Washington and Tehran remain ongoing.
Reports indicate that the proposed framework could include the release of up to $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets and limited sanctions relief. However, Mehr reported that the draft does not impose additional restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme, an issue that remains central to the dispute.
While Trump continues to express confidence that a deal could be signed within days, Iranian officials have maintained that negotiations are still underway and that no final agreement has yet been reached.
With peace talks entering a decisive phase and tensions continuing to simmer in the Gulf, the safety of international shipping—and thousands of Indian seafarers—remains a growing concern for policymakers in New Delhi and beyond.
