‘Pathetic, Baseless’: Iran Turns Tables On Trump, Says America Attacked Indian Ships In Hormuz

Last Updated:June 13, 2026, 07:15 IST

Iran condemns US attacks on Indian vessels after three Indian sailors die, rejects Donald Trump drone attack claims, India protests US Navy strike on tanker MT Settebello.

Iran on Saturday strongly criticised the United States over attacks on Indian-linked commercial vessels, following the deaths of three Indian sailors in the Gulf region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of targeting Indian shipping and described the incidents as evidence of what he called America’s policy of “armed robbery and State piracy".

“The brutal U.S. attacks on Indian commercial vessels which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy," Araghchi said.

He expressed condolences to the families of the sailors and to the people and government of India. Araghchi also urged the international community to hold the United States accountable, saying its actions threatened global peace, security and freedom of navigation.

Iran rejects Trump’s allegations

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump accused Iran of attempting a drone attack on Indian ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran had carried out a “totally rebuffed" drone attack against Indian vessels and called the move “totally unacceptable".

Responding to the accusation, the Iranian Embassy in India dismissed Trump’s claims as baseless. “The U.S. president’s accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is simply baseless," the embassy said in a post on X.

It further alleged that the accusation was an attempt to divert attention from attacks on Indian vessels by the United States. The embassy said three Indian vessels had been attacked within a week and three Indian sailors had been killed.

Trump questions Iran’s intentions

Apart from the alleged drone incident, Trump also criticised Iran’s reported version of a proposed US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the conflict.

According to Trump, Iran’s description of the proposal “bears no relation to the truth". He described the Iranians as “very dishonourable people to deal with" and claimed there was “no such thing as dealing in good faith" with them.

“They better get their act together, and fast!" Trump wrote.

India takes up the matter with US

Meanwhile, India lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the United States after a US Navy strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman killed three Indian seafarers.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he had raised the issue directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified," Jaishankar wrote on X.

The tanker had a crew of 28, including 24 Indians and four foreign nationals — two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian and one Russian.

Twenty-one Indian sailors were rescued after the attack. The three deceased crew members were identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh.

About the Author

Shuddhanta Patra

Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen...Read More

News world ‘Pathetic, Baseless’: Iran Turns Tables On Trump, Says America Attacked Indian Ships In Hormuz

Read More