The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has officially debunked media reports claiming that crew members were killed during an overnight attack on the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, Liaki Freedom, off the coast of Oman. After direct communication with the ship's Master, government officials confirmed that the entire crew remains safe, labeling the circulating rumors as entirely baseless. The ministry has urged the public to exercise caution regarding unverified information spreading across social media platforms.

This clarification arrives during a period of heightening diplomatic friction in the region. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to express India's formal protest following a separate, fatal US Navy strike on the MT Settebello, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian mariners. While efforts are currently underway to repatriate those victims, India continues to voice strong opposition against US military actions targeting commercial vessels in the Gulf, marking a significant escalation in maritime security concerns for the nation.