Ajit Doval, Iran's Mohsen Rezaei Discuss Regional Tensions as Attacks on Gulf Shipping Raise Security Concerns

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held a telephone conversation with Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, on October 12, as tensions continued to rise across West Asia. The two officials exchanged views on recent regional and international developments and discussed matters of mutual interest between India and Iran. Their conversation came amid growing concerns over maritime security, following a series of attacks on commercial vessels operating in the Gulf region.

The discussion took place at a time when shipping routes and energy transportation across the Gulf are facing increased security risks. Several commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers have reportedly come under attack in recent days, raising concerns in New Delhi about the safety of its nationals working at sea and the potential consequences for international trade.

India’s Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed that two Indian nationals remain missing following a drone attack on the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at Sohar Anchorage on October 11. The vessel was carrying 11 Indian seafarers when the incident occurred. Nine crew members were rescued safely, while local Coast Guard authorities continued search-and-rescue operations for the two missing individuals. Indian authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies and local officials to support the search efforts, while the Indian Embassy in Oman is maintaining contact with the concerned authorities and closely monitoring the situation.

The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera was struck by an unidentified projectile while travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel had 11 Indian seafarers aboard, and the attack reportedly triggered a fire. All crew members were subsequently reported safe. The incident followed another reported attack on October 9 involving the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2 at Sharjah Anchorage. All 22 Indian nationals aboard that vessel were reported safe.

The succession of incidents has intensified concerns about the security of commercial shipping across the Gulf, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway is one of the world's most important maritime routes for oil and gas transportation, making its security vital to international energy markets. Any prolonged disruption could affect shipping schedules, increase transportation and insurance costs, and place additional pressure on countries that depend heavily on imported energy.

Amid the tensions, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Tehran retains full control over the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that security challenges in the region would continue as long as foreign military operations and economic sanctions remained in place. Baghaei also rejected the American assessment of the situation, maintaining that developments on the ground and movements in energy markets did not support claims that Iran had lost its leverage over the strategic waterway.

Rezaei separately claimed that the United States had accepted some of Iran's seven conditions concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He described Washington's response as insufficient and said Iranian diplomacy had entered a new phase, with no intention of returning to previous arrangements. These statements reflect Tehran's position, while the claims about Washington's acceptance of the conditions require independent confirmation.

The developments carry significant diplomatic, economic and humanitarian implications. The country maintains extensive commercial and energy connections with the Gulf, while thousands of Indian nationals work across the region's maritime and shipping sectors. Ensuring their safety and protecting the uninterrupted movement of essential goods remain important priorities for the government.

The telephone conversation between Doval and Rezaei highlights the importance of diplomatic communication as regional tensions increasingly affect international shipping. Continued engagement between India and Iran may provide an avenue for discussing maritime security and broader regional developments, although the outcome will depend on the evolving situation and decisions made by the countries involved.

As attacks on commercial vessels continue to raise alarms, the focus remains on locating the missing Indian seafarers, protecting crews operating in high-risk waters and preventing further disruption to vital shipping corridors. The situation around the Strait of Hormuz is likely to remain a significant concern for regional governments, international shipping companies and global energy markets as diplomatic efforts continue.