India protests after US strike kills three Indian seafarers in Gulf

India has issued a strong protest to the United States following the deaths of three Indian seafarers in U.S. military strikes targeting oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The incident has escalated tensions in a region already grappling with a complex Middle East crisis.

U.S. Central Command acknowledged that its aircraft launched two Hellfire missiles at the MT Settebello, the vessel on which the seafarers were traveling. The command asserted that the tanker was violating the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and failed to heed instructions. The strikes occurred on Wednesday as the ship navigated the strategic waterway.

This event adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing regional instability. The Indian government's formal protest underscores the gravity with which it views the loss of its citizens' lives, particularly in an incident involving foreign military action. The situation remains a focal point amid continuous updates on the broader Middle East crisis.