Rubio defends Hormuz blockade after India protests deaths of sailors in International Shipping News 15/06/2026 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Washington’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz after India protested U.S. strikes that killed three Indian mariners, according to a Bloomberg report. Rubio discussed recent developments in the strategic waterway during a call with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department. During the conversation, Rubio said all commercial vessels should immediately comply with instructions from U.S. forces operating in the region. He also said violations of the U.S.-led blockade and the transport of Iranian oil would not be tolerated. The comments came after India raised concerns over the deaths of three Indian sailors in U.S. strikes in the Gulf. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he had conveyed India’s objections directly to Rubio and described the attacks as unjustified. “Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar said. The exchange highlights growing diplomatic tensions surrounding security operations in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments. The waterway has remained at the center of the conflict involving the United States and Iran, with restrictions on shipping contributing to volatility in energy markets. The latest developments come as Washington and Tehran appear to be moving closer to a potential agreement aimed at ending the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has said a deal could be signed soon and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen following an agreement. The dispute also comes ahead of a planned meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France next week. Regional security, maritime trade routes, and developments in the Middle East are expected to feature prominently in the discussions. India is one of th