Attacks on vessels with Indian seafarers, Iranian 'service fee' may feature in IORA meet

📌 Summary:

• The 28th meeting of IORA's Committee of Senior Officials begins June 15, 2026, with India as the current Chair
• India may raise concerns over recent U.S. attacks on four vessels carrying Indian seafarers, and an Iranian "service fee" levied on shipping
• IORA members Iran, UAE, Yemen and Oman are directly affected by the West Asia conflict, the U.S. naval blockade, and Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz
• Underlines India's stakes in maritime security and protection of its seafarers amid Hormuz disruptions

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — maritime security; GS2 — India in regional groupings (IORA).

📝 Prelims Facts:

• IORA = Indian Ocean Rim Association; India is the current Chair
• Affected members include Iran, UAE, Yemen, Oman
• Strait of Hormuz — chokepoint at risk of closure during the conflict

🔑 Key Term: Strait of Hormuz — narrow chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which a large share of global oil shipping passes.