Three Indian sailors dead after U.S. strike on tanker off Oman

Three Indian sailors have died following a U.S. military operation off the coast of Oman, Indian authorities confirmed on Thursday. The incident marks the first reported deaths since the U.S. began its blockade of Iran-linked shipping on April 13, an operation that has disabled eight ships and turned back over 100 others.

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Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified.

The U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that a U.S. aircraft conducted a precision strike on the Palau-flagged oil products tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM reported that precision munitions were fired into the ship's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces. The Settebello was reportedly attempting to transport oil from Iran, violating the ongoing blockade.

India's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and announced that 21 Indian sailors had been rescued. The ministry also stated that two of the three vessels involved were sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, while the third was in a non-compliant category. The Omani Navy responded to the Settebello's distress call after it reported an engine fire post-strike.

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fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.

In response to the incident, India summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission to lodge a "strong protest." The deaths of the sailors come ahead of the Group of Seven summit next week, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. The Indian Shipping Ministry also confirmed the deaths and noted that 13 Indian vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

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The U.S. should take note of India's protest against attacks on ships carrying their citizens.