The Center on Friday launched a high-priority operation to safely escort 13 Indian-flagged commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions continue to rise in West Asia and the Gulf region.The move is part of a broader government effort involving multiple ministries to protect Indian citizens, seafarers and commercial interests amid growing instability in the region. Also, the Ministry of External Affairs urged Indian citizens to avoid traveling to Iran and advised those already in the country to seek assistance from the Indian mission.Opesh Kumar Sharma, director of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said authorities have made a coordinated plan to assist Indian ships currently operating in the strategically important waterway.He said, “A coordinated priority has been drawn up through which we try to get our ships out. Currently, there are around 13 Indian flagged ships: one LPG tanker, five crude oil tankers, one chemical or product tanker, three container ships, two bulk carriers and one dredger. Our priority is to get out our ships which are currently inside.”Officials said the vessels included crude oil tankers, container ships, bulk carriers and a dredger. The government is keeping a close watch on their activities amid concerns over maritime security in the Gulf.Sharma also pointed to the successful transit of Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker Nisos Keros carrying approximately 2,70,000 metric tonnes of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz during the night of May 25 and 26.“The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions and maritime stakeholders to ensure seafarer welfare and uninterrupted maritime operations. As part of the ship movement, a merchant ship, Nisos Keros, a Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker, safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on the night of the 25th and 26th. It will reach Visakhapatnam on June 3, 2026. This merchant ship is carrying approximately 2,70,000 metric tons of crude oil. It has all foreign crew members. All Indian seafarers in the area are safe, and there have been no incidents involving Indian seafarers onboard Indian-flagged or foreign-flagged merchant vessels,” he said.According to the ministry, all Indian seafarers aboard domestic and foreign flagged ships in the area are safe, with no hostile incidents reported so far.The Emergency Control Room of the Directorate General of Shipping continues to handle a large number of distress calls and queries from seafarers and their families. Since its activation, it has processed over 10,800 calls and over 24,000 emails.“The control room set up in the Directorate General of Shipping has handled over 10,800 calls and over 24,098 emails since its activation. In the last 96 hours, a total of 500 calls and 1,332 emails have been received from seafarers, their families and maritime stakeholders. The Ministry has facilitated the safe return of over 3,422 Indian seafarers so far through the Directorate General of Shipping, including the last 47 from various Bay Area locations in 96 hours. Port operations across India are normal and no congestion has been reported,” Sharma said.The government has so far facilitated the return of more than 3,400 Indian seafarers from the Gulf region, including dozens who were evacuated in the last four days.Providing an update on the evacuation efforts, Additional Secretary (Gulf) Asim R Mahajan said the Indian mission remains in close touch with community organisations, businesses and local authorities to assist citizens affected by the regional crisis.“Advisories are being issued, which include information related to local government guidelines, flight and travel status, consular services and various welfare measures being taken for the community. Our missions are actively engaged with the resident Indian community, regularly interacting with Indian community associations, organisations, professional groups and Indian companies to address their concerns. The welfare of Indian seafarers in the region is a high priority for us. Our missions are providing all assistance to them, including coordination with local authorities and agencies, providing consular assistance and assisting with requests to return to India.”Mahajan said despite regional uncertainty, flight connectivity between India and most parts of the Gulf is operational. Airspace over the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait remains open, while services from Qatar and Iraq continue to operate with varying restrictions.“An update on flight status: The overall flight situation continues to improve with additional flights operating from the region to various destinations in India. UAE airspace is open; Indian and UAE carriers are operating flights from UAE to various destinations in India. Flights are operating from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to various destinations in India. Qatar’s airspace is partially open. Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Qatar Airways are operating flights from Qatar to various destinations in India. Kuwait airspace is open. Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways are operating flights to various destinations in India. Indian carriers are also expected to resume operations between Kuwait and India soon. Bahrain airspace is open. Air India Express, IndiGo and Gulf Air are operating flights from Bahrain to various destinations in India. Iraq’s airspace remains open with limited flight operations to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward travel to India. Iran’s airspace is partially open,” Mahajan said.He reiterated the government’s advice against travel to Iran and said the Indian Embassy in Tehran has already facilitated the exit of thousands of Indian citizens from the neighboring land border crossing.“We have advised Indian citizens to avoid traveling to Iran and urged all those traveling there to leave with the cooperation of our embassy. So far, our Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the movement of 2,557 Indian nationals to and from Iran through land border routes. Israel’s airspace is open, and limited flight operations to destinations in the region have resumed, which can be used for onward travel to India,” he said.Mahajan said the government is focusing on the welfare and safety of Indians in the Gulf and West Asia, with embassies and consulates running round-the-clock helplines and coordinating with state governments and local authorities.“The Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia region. Our efforts are focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian community in the region. We are in constant touch with State Governments and Union Territories to share information and coordinate our efforts. Our Embassies and Consulates in the region are operating round-the-clock helplines to provide timely assistance to Indian citizens. They are actively assisting our citizens and are also in close contact with local governments.”The development comes amid concerns that any disruption in the Gulf could affect India’s energy supplies, given the region’s importance in the country’s crude oil imports.Addressing those concerns, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi is working to secure its energy needs by broadening its sourcing strategy.“On the question of shipments, energy security is very important to us, and we are trying to diversify our sources from around the world,” Jaiswal said. “We welcome support from various markets.”