NEW DELHI – India's Ministry of External Affairs on Friday summoned US Chargé d'Affaires to India Jason Meeks to lodge a "strong protest" regarding the continued attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, said an official statement.

Several attacks by US forces on similar commercial vessels had been reported over the past three days.

ALSO READ: Trump warns Oman not to interfere amid fragile US-Iran talks

The ministry once again conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time, said the official statement.