Iran’s Mohsen Rezaei talks to Ajit Doval amid Gulf ship attacks, Strait of Hormuz tensions | Today’s news
Iran’s National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei spoke on the phone with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Monday. According to the Iranian Embassy in India, they discussed regional developments and issues of common interest.
In a post on X, the Iranian Embassy in India reported on the discussions between the two officials, noting that the talks focused on issues ranging from regional affairs to bilateral relations between India and Iran.
“Dr. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a telephonic conversation this evening with Shri Ajit Doval, the National Security Adviser of the Republic of India, during which they exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments and issues of common interest to both countries,” the post said.
The negotiations are taking place at a time of ongoing regional tensions and attacks on commercial shipping.
Earlier on Sunday, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal said two Indian nationals remain missing after the MT Petro Dolphin tanker sailing under Nicaragua, carrying 11 Indian sailors, came under drone attack at Sohar Anchorage on October 11, while nine crew members were rescued and are safe.
In a post shared on X, Sonowal said that search and rescue operations are underway by the local coast guard and that Indian authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies to find the missing sailors.
“On October 11, the tanker MT PETRO DOLPHIN with 11 Indian sailors was subjected to a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage. While nine of our Indian crew members were successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian nationals are currently missing. The local coast guard is actively conducting search and rescue operations. All relevant authorities are continuously coordinating and fully coordinating the rescue operations to find our missing personnel,” Sonowal said.
The Embassy of India in Oman also said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains in touch with the authorities concerned.
In a separate post on X, Sonowal said all 11 Indian sailors aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera were safe after the vessel was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on October 11, resulting in a fire on board.
“On October 11, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker M/T Valthera, carrying 11 Indian sailors, was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a fire on board. Fortunately, all 11 of our Indian crew members are reported safe. We are constantly monitoring the situation and staying in touch with the ship’s management company to ensure our continued safety and health.”
The incidents come amid a series of reported attacks on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf region as tensions in the region continue.
Earlier on October 9, the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2, with 22 Indian nationals on board, was attacked by a drone in Sharjah Anchorage. Sonowal said all 22 Indian sailors on board were safe.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran maintains full control over the key energy corridor and warned that security cannot return to the region as long as foreign military aggression and economic blockades persist.
Baghaei rejected the American explanation of the situation, stressing that the market reality contradicts Washington’s official narrative.
“The claims of the Americans do not match what we see on the ground,” Baghaei said. “They can keep saying the Strait of Hormuz is no longer effective and Iran has lost influence; we’re also doing our own thing.”
In addition, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, said the United States had agreed to some of its seven conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington’s response was “inadequate.”
“The United States has agreed to some of Iran’s seven conditions, but we consider their response to be INADEQUATE. Iran’s diplomacy has changed and there will be no return to the status quo ante,” wrote Mohsen Rezaei on X.
