New Delhi, July 28 -- The Ministry of Shipping is closely monitoring six Indian vessels and the welfare of 166 Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz amid escalation in attacks on commercial vessels during the ongoing conflict in the region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

Addressing the media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said six Indian vessels are currently located west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, carrying 125 Indian seafarers. Additionally, 41 Indian seafarers are on board foreign vessels in the region.

"We have six Indian vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf, and there are 125 seafarers on board these Indian ships. In ad...