Three Indian Sailors Killed in US Strike on Oil Tanker
Three Indian sailors who were initially reported missing have been confirmed dead following a US military strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, according to a federal minister.
The tanker, MT Settebello, which is flagged under Palau, was attacked on Wednesday after the US military accused it of failing to comply "with directions from American forces." The vessel had 24 Indian crew members on board, of whom 21 were rescued.
India's Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal addressed the incident on the social media platform X, describing it as "deeply unfortunate" and stating that the bodies of the three deceased sailors would be repatriated soon.
Following the strike, the Indian government summoned the deputy head of the US mission in Delhi to discuss the matter.
The US military alleged that the MT Settebello violated an American blockade by "attempting to transport oil from Iran."
In a statement posted on X, the US Central Command detailed that an aircraft fired "precision munitions" targeting the engine room of the tanker after the crew "repeatedly failed" to follow instructions.
Second Indian-Crewed Vessel Attacked This Week
This incident marks the second time this week that a vessel with Indian crew has been targeted by US forces. On Monday, US forces struck The Marivex, another Palau-flagged oil tanker with an Indian crew, in the Gulf of Oman after it reportedly failed to comply with US directives, according to Centcom.
Indian authorities confirmed that all 24 crew members aboard The Marivex were rescued by the Omani military.
On Thursday, the Indian Embassy in Oman reported another "incident" involving a vessel near Shinas port in Oman. However, the embassy did not specify whether Indian crew members were involved or provide details about the nature of the incident.
Context of the US Blockade and Regional Tensions
The US military has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports following Tehran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and gas supplies are transported. This blockade is part of ongoing conflict in the region.
Since the blockade began on 13 April, US forces have disabled eight vessels and redirected 134 others, according to data from Centcom.
The Indian government has consistently maintained that "targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end."
Reactions from Indian Maritime Unions
Manoj Yadav, general secretary of the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI), informed the BBC that the union had started contacting the families of the deceased sailors to inform them of the deaths.
Yadav also told The Economic Times that he "refused to believe" that the US lacked knowledge of the nationalities of the crew aboard the ships.
If the ships failed to heed their instructions, detaining them was a viable alternative,
he said.
Escalating Tensions Between Iran and the US
Tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate with no signs of de-escalation. Both countries have exchanged strikes for a second consecutive day, further straining a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in April.
On Wednesday, then US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran "hard," criticizing the delay in signing a peace deal and accusing Iran of playing Americans "for suckers."
The conflict began on 28 February after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran that resulted in the death of the country's supreme leader.
In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf region. The conflict quickly escalated, drawing Lebanon into the hostilities in March.
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