New Delhi, July 15 -- An Indian sailor was killed and 10 Indian nationals were injured, two of them seriously, when Iran fired missiles at two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, prompting the external affairs ministry to summon the seniormost Iranian diplomat to register a strong protest over the incident. The Emirati oil tankers MT Mombasa and MT Al Bahiyah were "targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters", the defence ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on social media. The external affairs ministry said that of the 12 Indian nationals on board Al Bahiyah, one was killed and another was injured. Of the 18 Indian seafarers on the Mombasa, nine were wounded, including two who were reported to be seriously injured. There were 30 Indian seafarers among the combined crew of 46 of both vessels. Iran and US have intensified attacks in the last three days, stepping up a battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz that has pushed up oil prices to four-week highs. US has carried out waves of attacks after Tehran said it had closed the strait. Iran has retaliated by hitting US bases in Gulf countries, including Jordan and Bahrain. The worsening attacks have increased doubts that a memorandum of understanding signed last month will lead to a permanent halt in the war. Tuesday's attack also caused fires that damaged both tankers before they were brought under control. Indian diplomats in the UAE are in touch with UAE authorities to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Indian seafarers. Hours later, Iranian deputy chief of mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini was summoned to the external affairs ministry, where the joint secretary heading the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran division, Anand Prakash, lodged a strong protest over the incident. The summoning was done in full public glare, with TV news crews covering the arrival of the Iranian diplomat, unlike other recent such incidents. Anger has grown on the Indian side over Iranian attacks on merchant vessels with Indian crew members, people familiar with the matter said. "We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," the external affairs ministry said in a statement. The Indian side reiterated its concern at the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in West Asia and sought the immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. The external affairs ministry said the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in West Asia "must cease in order that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest". External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing that the Indian side conveyed to Iran its strong condemnation of the attacks. "We conveyed our strongest protest with the Iranian side on this particular matter - that these attacks, which we condemn, must stop at the earliest. At the same time, there should be de-escalation and the two sides should come to the negotiating table and take the path of dialogue and diplomacy, so that peace and stability can be ensured in West Asia," he said.. Tuesday's attacks came two days after an Iranian attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy left an Indian crew member missing. Ten more Indian seafarers on GFS Galaxy were rescued after the vessel was targeted by Iranian forces off the coast of Oman. Three Indian seafarers were also killed when US forces attacked the tanker MT Settebello last month. A total of 14 Indians have died in West Asia since Israel and the US's attacks on Iran on February 28 triggered a conflict. The UAE defence ministry condemned Tuesday's "blatant attack", describing it as a "serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region". "The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its citizens and residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protects its national interests," the defence ministry said. The UAE remains on the "highest level of readiness and preparedness to address any threats", and is taking all necessary measures to respond decisively to "any attempt to undermine the security and stability of the country". India had also expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in West Asia after US President Donald Trump said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last month for a ceasefire with Iran was "over" following Iranian attacks on merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. India, which was hit hard when the West Asia conflict disrupted oil, gas and fertiliser supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, has doubled down on its message for a return to dialogue and diplomacy as tensions soared, threatening the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the US....