NEW DELHI — Following weeks of disrupted global shipping and escalating military strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of External Affairs deployed its most severe diplomatic weapon on Thursday, confirming it had "strongly urged" armed actors to respect the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"We have made it absolutely clear in an official committee setting that targeting commercial shipping is unacceptable," a ministry spokesperson said, expressing confidence that the military forces currently enforcing the maritime blockade would immediately stand down upon realizing their actions were not in alignment with international protocols. The spokesperson noted that the 611 Indian seafarers currently trapped on 22 vessels west of the strait could rest easy knowing their uninterrupted passage had been formally requested.

The decisive diplomatic maneuver comes as the UN Security Council officially postponed its own critical vote on authorizing defensive maritime force in the region. According to diplomatic sources, the global security body delayed the emergency resolution because its headquarters was closed for the scheduled Good Friday public holiday, confirming that international emergencies must respect the three-day weekend.

At press time, ministry officials confirmed they were prepared to escalate the situation further by expressing "deep concern" if the armed blockade did not voluntarily disband by the time UN delegates returned from brunch on Monday.