US strikes Iran-bound tanker near Oman, sparking India protest over missing crew
India said 21 of 24 crew members were rescued and three remained missing after the U.S. strike on the tanker.
- On Wednesday, U.S. Central Command disabled the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello off the coast of Oman, leaving three Indian crew members missing while 21 of the 24 aboard were rescued.
- U.S. forces disabled the vessel after accusing it of violating an American naval blockade by "attempting to transport oil from Iran," an enforcement effort active since April 13, 2026.
- CENTCOM fired "precision munitions" into the engine room after the crew failed to comply with directions; India summoned U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Jason Meeks to lodge a "strong protest."
- Condemning the strike as "deeply worrisome," the Indian External Affairs Ministry confirmed the Indian Embassy in Oman is coordinating ongoing search and rescue efforts for the missing sailors.
- Attacks on shipping have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor, with this incident occurring two days after the June 8 attack on the tanker Marivex, where 24 Indian sailors were rescued.
153 Articles
153 Articles
The U.S. military on Thursday targeted an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel violated a U.S. blockade of Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil, according to the Central Command (CENTCOM). It is the third merchant ship the U.S. has taken down in the Gulf of Oman this week.
US military says it struck tanker violating Iran port blockade
The US Central Command said it was the third such US strike this week and the ninth since the blockade began. (EPA Images pic) WASHINGTON: US forces struck and disabled another oil tanker attempting to bypass their blockade of Iranian ports this week, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday. A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel “after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with direc…
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