U.S. warplane strikes oil tanker in Gulf of Oman; India disputes destination

U.S. forces struck the M/T Marivex, an oil tanker sailing under the flag of Palau, in the Gulf of Oman on Monday.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln targeted the tanker's engine room. CENTCOM stated the vessel was en route to an Iranian port, violating Washington's blockade, and that the strike disabled its navigation system after the crew failed to comply with U.S. forces' orders.

However, India's Ministry of Shipping reported earlier that a fire had broken out on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman, without specifying the cause. The ministry confirmed that the 24 Indian nationals aboard the M/T Marivex were safe. The Indian ministry's statement indicated the vessel was sailing empty from India to Oman when the incident occurred, contradicting CENTCOM's assertion about its destination and cargo status.

The incident occurred in a region where maritime security has been a growing concern. The differing accounts from U.S. military command and the Indian maritime authority highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics and information flow surrounding incidents in the Gulf of Oman.