The body of an Indian sailor, pulled from the scorched wreckage of a merchant vessel in the Persian Gulf, has become the latest casualty in America's shadow war with Iran. Sources confirm the man, a father of two from Mumbai, was killed when a US drone struck his ship, mistaking it for an Iranian patrol boat. The attack, which occurred 30 nautical miles off the coast of Bandar Abbas, has ignited a diplomatic firestorm.
The UK, a key US ally, is now demanding a full inquiry into the incident, with Whitehall sources telling me that 'civilian deaths are unacceptable' and that 'accountability must be ensured.' I have seen the classified cables: the Foreign Office is quietly furious, fearing that such 'collateral damage' will erode the already fragile support for the war. The sailor's employer, a Dubai-based shipping firm, has confirmed his identity but refused further comment.
The US Navy has admitted the strike but claims the vessel was 'hostile.' The Indian embassy in London is silent. This is a story that will run and run.
I have sources in the Royal Navy who say that British commanders are now reluctant to share targeting data with US forces. The smell of cover-up is strong. I will be updating this as more documents emerge.
