United States President Donald Trump on Friday accused Iran of carrying out a “totally rebuffed” drone attack on Indian ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz.

In a social media post, Trump said that the strikes were “totally unacceptable”.

He did not identify which Indian ships he was referring to. However, between Monday and Thursday, three foreign-flagged vessels carrying Indian crew members have been attacked off the coast of Oman. The US has acknowledged responsibility for all three attacks.

Three Indian seafarers were killed in an attack carried out on a Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello.

Soon after Trump’s post, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on social media that US attacks on vessels carrying Indian crew “threaten global peace and security”.

Baqaei alleged that the attacks were “clear evidence of America’s ongoing policy of armed robbery and state piracy”.

He also expressed condolences to the families of the Indian seafarers.

Earlier in the day, India’s Ministry of External Affairs also summoned the US’ Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks for the second time to register its protest against the continued American strikes on ships with Indian crew members in West Asia.

New Delhi said that it had “once again conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping” and described the actions as “unacceptable” and harmful to the safety and stability of international maritime commerce.

The ministry said Meeks had been asked to convey India’s concerns to Washington and ensure that US military units operating in the region took steps to prevent further loss of civilian life.

US accuses Tehran of leaking fake news on deal

Separately, Trump also accused Iran of leaking inaccurate details about a proposed peace agreement with Washington.

“The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing,” he wrote on social media. “What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth”

He called Iranians “very dishonorable people to deal with”, adding that “they better get their act together, and FAST!”

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, urged caution against speculation about the proposed agreement.

He said on social media that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding had “never been closer” to being finalised and that media outlets should refrain from speculating about its contents.

Written by Sara Varghese. Edited by Sneha.