Three Indian seafarers died after the U.S. military struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman [1].
The incident highlights the growing risk to neutral merchant crews caught in the escalating maritime conflict between the U.S. and Iran. As the U.S. enforces a blockade, the safety of international sailors becomes a critical point of diplomatic tension.
The attack occurred on June 10, 2024 [4]. According to U.S. officials, the military action was intended to disable oil tankers that were violating a blockade on Iran [5]. The MT Settebello was one of the vessels targeted in the operation.
There were 24 Indian crew members on board the tanker at the time of the strike [2]. Following the attack, 21 Indian sailors were rescued [3]. The remaining three died in the strike [1].
India has responded with diplomatic urgency. A spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said India lodges a "strong protest" over the three sailors being killed [6]. The government is seeking clarity on the circumstances that led to the deaths of its citizens.
Sarbananda Sonowal, India's Minister of Shipping, addressed the tragedy via CNBC TV18. "This is deeply disappointing and a tragic loss," Sonowal said [7].
The strike has sparked outrage among the families of the deceased, who are calling for a full investigation into the U.S. military's engagement rules. The families seek to understand why a commercial vessel with a multinational crew was targeted in a manner that resulted in fatalities.
“"This is deeply disappointing and a tragic loss."”
This incident underscores the volatility of the Gulf of Oman as a theater of war. By targeting commercial vessels to enforce a blockade, the U.S. risks creating diplomatic rifts with key partners like India, whose citizens make up a significant portion of the global maritime workforce. The clash between U.S. strategic objectives and the safety of neutral crews may force India to reconsider its maritime security protocols or demand stricter guarantees for its seafarers in contested waters.
