Yemen: An Indian-flagged cargo vessel sank off the coast of Yemen after being struck by a projectile, with all 14 crew members safely rescued, according to Indian authorities.
The vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, was carrying 14 people on board, including 13 Indian nationals. India’s Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that everyone aboard was rescued safely following the incident.
Condemning the attack as unprovoked, Sonowal said the Indian government would take all necessary measures to safeguard Indian seafarers operating in the region. Authorities have not officially identified the group responsible for the strike.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs also strongly condemned the attack, describing the continued targeting of commercial vessels in the region as deeply worrisome. The ministry called for an immediate end to attacks on merchant shipping and urged the restoration of free and uninterrupted navigation through international waterways in accordance with international law.
Our statement on attack on an Indian flagged commercial vessel ⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/5dNzioU4jv pic.twitter.com/rGgtnl0luu
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 4, 2026
The latest incident comes amid growing instability in the Red Sea, which has become a key alternative shipping route after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in February. The closure of one of the world’s busiest oil transit corridors forced many commercial vessels, including oil tankers from Saudi Arabia, to reroute through the Red Sea.
However, maritime security in the Red Sea has also deteriorated significantly in recent weeks. According to reports, Yemen’s transportation ministry, part of the internationally recognised Saudi-backed government, accused the Iran-backed Houthi movement of carrying out the attack using an explosives-laden boat. The Houthis have not publicly responded to the allegations.
The group had earlier announced a blockade of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports on July 20, further escalating tensions in the region. Meanwhile, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency has reported multiple attacks on commercial ships operating in nearby waters over the past week.
The deteriorating security situation follows months of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Although Washington and Tehran agreed to a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding in June aimed at halting military operations and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the ceasefire later collapsed after renewed attacks on shipping and retaliatory military strikes.
Despite the ongoing maritime threats, global oil prices declined to a three-week low after senior US officials indicated that diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz were making progress. While US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested an agreement could be reached soon, Iran has maintained that it is not negotiating directly with the United States and is instead holding discussions through Oman.
The sinking of the Indian vessel underscores the increasing risks facing commercial shipping in the Middle East, with escalating geopolitical tensions continuing to disrupt vital global trade routes and maritime operations.
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