Three Indian sailors, initially reported missing, have been confirmed dead following a US military strike on a commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, Indian officials announced on Thursday. This incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions and represents the first civilian casualties since the US began its naval blockade on Iran-linked shipping routes in mid-April.
Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that the bodies of the three missing crew members were recovered and positively identified. The vessel involved, the Palau-flagged oil products tanker Settebello, was navigating international waters when it was targeted.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs reported that 21 other Indian crew members aboard the tanker were rescued safely through a coordinated effort with Omani authorities. The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that it conducted a “precision strike” aimed specifically at the tanker’s engine room.
US officials explained that the strike was carried out after the tanker’s crew repeatedly ignored lawful maritime orders from American naval forces. The US maintains that the Settebello was violating the naval blockade, which was imposed on April 13 to disrupt maritime revenue linked to Iran amid ongoing regional conflicts.
Since the blockade’s enforcement, US forces have disabled eight vessels and compelled over 100 others to turn back. Meanwhile, the deaths have provoked a strong diplomatic response from New Delhi, which condemned the attack on civilian infrastructure.
Indian authorities summoned the US Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi to formally protest the use of lethal force against commercial sailors. This maritime crisis arises at a delicate moment in India-US relations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit, where he is expected to hold key bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic analysts suggest that the tragic incident in the Gulf of Oman could overshadow the summit’s agenda and complicate the dialogue between the two nations.
