US attack kills three Indian sailors in Gulf of Oman

Three Indian sailors have been killed after the US military struck a tanker in the Gulf of Oman, a federal minister said on Thursday. 

The Palau-flagged MT Settebello vessel came under attack early on Wednesday after the US accused it of not complying “with directions from American forces”. 

The tanker had 24 Indian crew members on board, of whom 21 were rescued.

The US has targeted several vessels off the coast of Oman this week. Crews were evacuated from two other ships after they were hit by projectiles.

“Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified,” said Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s shipping minister. 

“This is a profound loss to our maritime family. The Modi Govt stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin.

“I have directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased for their final rites.”

After the attack, the Indian government summoned the deputy head of Washington’s mission in Delhi. 

The US military accused the tanker of violating its blockade on Iran’s ports and attempting “to transport oil from Iran”. 

“U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for the second consecutive day after another vessel violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran,” US Centcom wrote on X. 

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“[We] disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.” 

It is the third such attack in a few days. 

On Monday, the US military hit another Palau-flagged tanker with Indian crew members, The Marivex, in the Gulf of Oman. Centcom also accused it of failing to comply with American instructions. 

All 24 crew members of that vessel were rescued by Oman’s military, according to Indian authorities. 

India’s shipping ministry said all 20 Indian crew members were safe after a new suspected US strike on the asphalt tanker Jalveer off Oman on Thursday

“We have learnt of an incident involving a vessel off Shinas port of Oman, earlier today. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the local authorities for further details,” the embassy said on X. 

“Evacuation of crew from MT Jalveer to Shinas port is being coordinated with assistance from Royal Navy of Oman, and shall soon be completed.” 

US and Iran trade blows 

Since the war began in late February, Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz – the crucial waterway through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil and a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas passes. 

In response, the US has imposed a blockade on Iran’s ports. 

Centcom said on Wednesday that it had “disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13.”

It comes as the US and Iran continued to exchange strikes overnight and into Thursday. 

The renewed hostilities followed the downing of an American helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, after which Washington launched strikes on Iranian military infrastructure.

Iranian media reported explosions in several areas, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Minab, near the Strait of Hormuz. Reports also cited strikes in Karaj, Nazarabad and Pishva, near Tehran. Iranian media said at least three people were wounded in Tehran province.

The attacks came after US President Donald Trump accused Tehran of prolonging negotiations to end the three-month war. Speaking on Wednesday, Trump said Iran had been “playing us for suckers” and would “have to pay the price”.

Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the US strikes on Thursday, saying they rendered the nearly two-month ceasefire “practically meaningless”. 

It said Washington bore responsibility for what it called the “extremely serious consequences” of the attacks.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it retaliated by striking US-linked military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.