The US will not tolerate any violations of its blockade of Iranian ports, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after a call with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who protested against the death of three Indian seafarers in US attacks on ships.
Rubio stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Jaishankar said he had reiterated India's strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners.
The US response attracted criticism in political and diplomatic circles, with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressing shock at the US readout, which he said 'contains absolutely no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives.'
