00:00A war of missiles, a war of accusations, and now a war over who is responsible for attacks
00:07on Indian sailors.
00:09Iran is fiercely pushing back against President Donald Trump's allegations, accusing Washington
00:16of trying to shift blame while American military actions have already killed Indian nationals
00:22in Gulf waters.
00:23The sharp exchange comes after Trump accused Iran of attempting a drone attack against
00:30Indian-linked vessels leaving the Strait of Hormuz.
00:33But Tehran says the real story is very different, and it is pointing directly at the United States.
00:41Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi launched a blistering attack on Washington, describing
00:47recent U.S. actions against commercial shipping as evidence of what he called armed robbery
00:53and state piracy.
00:55In a strongly worded statement, Arakchi said American attacks on commercial vessels had
01:01already resulted in the deaths of Indian sailors.
01:05He extended condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people
01:10of India.
01:11The Iranian Foreign Minister also called on the international community to hold Washington
01:17accountable, arguing that such actions threaten global shipping, maritime security, and freedom
01:24of navigation.
01:26The comments came shortly after President Trump claimed that Iran had attempted a drone attack
01:32against Indian vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz.
01:56According to the embassy, the accusations are an attempt to divert international attention
02:02away from recent U.S. military operations.
02:09Iran pointed to a series of incidents over the past week involving commercial ships operating
02:16in the Gulf region, most notably the strike on the tanker M.T. Setebello.
02:22The vessel was hit during a U.S. military operation in the Gulf of Oman.
02:27Three Indian sailors lost their lives, 21 others were rescued.
02:32The victims were identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanan Churasia, and
02:39chief engineer Patnala Suresh.
02:42Their deaths sparked outrage in India and triggered a diplomatic response from New Delhi.
02:49External Affairs Minister S.J.
02:51Shankar personally raised the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
02:56In a public statement, Shankar declared that lethal actions against commercial shipping
03:02are not justified.
03:04India has since lodged a formal diplomatic protest and demanded accountability.
03:10For New Delhi, the issue extends beyond a single incident.
03:15Thousands of Indian seafarers work aboard commercial vessels throughout the Gulf region.
03:21As military tensions rise, concerns are growing that civilian mariners are increasingly becoming
03:27victims of a conflict they have no role in.
03:31Meanwhile, Iran is attempting to position itself as a defender of maritime security, while portraying
03:38Washington as the destabilizing force.
03:42Tehran argues that recent U.S. operations have endangered neutral shipping and undermined international
03:49navigation rights.
03:51Washington, however, maintains that its actions are necessary to enforce sanctions and protect
03:57regional security.
03:59For India, the focus remains on the human cost.
04:03Three sailors are dead, families are grieving, and questions remain unanswered.
04:10Trump blames Iran, Iran blames America.
04:13in the battle over the narrative, is becoming almost as intense as the conflict itself.
04:31For more information, visit www.vind.org.uk.
04:36www.vind.org.
04:37www.vind.org.
04:38www.vind.org.
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