The United Nations Security Council is holding a virtual session called by India on the security of international shipping, days after the attack on the tanker Mercer Street in the Sea of Oman.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke at the session.
In his speech, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reiterated Iran's accusation of launching the "unjustified" attack on the Mercer Street ship, stressing that those responsible for this attack should be punished.
"In the South China Sea, we are witnessing provocative actions that threaten ships and maritime navigation," Blinken added, stressing that freedom of navigation and promoting maritime trade are important for the stability of nations.
The British Minister of State also confirmed his country's assessment that Iran carried out the attack on the Mercer Street by a drone, calling for combating any hostile activity by countries in the seas and oceans.
It is noteworthy that last July 29, the oil tanker "Mercer Street" was attacked in the Gulf of Oman, killing two of its crew.
For his part, Putin called for a strategy that enjoys the support of UN member states and uses experts, civil society organizations and the private sector, hoping that the proposed Russian partners will study the Russian proposal in a good way, stressing Russia's commitment to combating sea crimes and all its effects.
Putin noted that his country has made every effort to strengthen the rule of law in the field of maritime security.
The Indian presidency of the council had planned to hold this meeting before the Mercer Street attack, and it is likely that some countries will use the meeting to express their opinion publicly, after the council held closed consultations on the attack last Friday.
The Council is supposed to adopt a presidential statement drafted by India recognizing the importance of increasing international and regional cooperation to counter maritime security threats, including information exchange.
China had objected to some points of the statement, such as illegal fishing at sea, and to the UN Secretary-General's submission of a periodic report on threats to sea security.
Al-Jazeera correspondent from New York, Murad Hashem, said that the words generally expressed concern about maritime and energy security, and President Putin referred to the inability of some countries to confront terrorist attacks at sea without clarifying the intent of this reference.
The Indian initiative to hold this session had emphasized the lifting of obstacles to international maritime trade that affect the global economy. It also called for the settlement of existing maritime disputes, and the need to collectively address threats and natural disasters. It also called on India to preserve the environment and marine resources.