New delhi: India's Directorate General of Shipping has directed shipowners, ship managers, and certification companies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders. The directive came amid attacks on vessels in the strategic waterway.

According to Anadolu Agency, the directorate announced on US social media company X that there should be "no deployment of Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders." The directive also emphasized the need for "heightened security vigilance in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and adjoining waters."

The directive further called for continuous monitoring of navigational warnings and security advisories, with strict implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. The precautions also include immediate reporting and assistance in emergencies.

The Indian directive was issued amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides exchanging attacks despite a Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict and reaching a lasting peace agreement. This week, an Indian national was killed when two United Arab Emirates tankers were hit by Iran while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.

Since the US-Iran war began on February 28, sixteen Indians have been killed or reported missing in the Middle East.