relevant for prelims and GS paper 3(IR):-
The Indian Navy launched “Operation Sankalp” in the region to reassure Indian flagged vessels transiting through the area. This development comes in wake of suspected attacks on two merchant ships in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman region. The Navy has deployed stealth guided missile destroyers INS Chennai and patrol vessel INS Sunayna in the region for maritime security operations. Besides, aerial surveillance by naval aircraft was also being undertaken.
The Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region, set up in Gurugram by the Indian Navy in December 2018, was also keeping a close watch on the movement of ships in the Gulf region.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the “US-made Global Hawk surveillance drone” was hit with a missile “after violating Iranian air space” over the waters of Hormozgan province.
Last week, two tankers – one carrying oil and the other chemicals – suffered some damage in explosions. The US has blamed Iran for the attack.
There were reports indicating that the damage to the vessels could be due to some anti-ship missiles. All crew members of both the ships were evacuated and were reported to be safe.
Iran has denied any involvement and hinted the US might have orchestrated them itself to provide a pretext for the use of force against the Islamic republic.
Tension is rising in the region as Pentagon claimed on Thursday that one of its reconnaissance drones was shot down by a missile fired from Iran.