Three Indian Sailors Die in US Strike on Oil Tanker Off Oman
US forces struck the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman as part of Oman strikes tied to a blockade on Iran’s ports, killing three Indian sailors after the vessel failed to comply with directions from American forces.
US Strike on MT Settebello and Fatalities
The strike on the MT Settebello occurred late on Tuesday when a US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply. [2] The US military accused the tanker of violating its blockade on Iran’s ports and attempting to transport oil from Iran. [2] The Palau-flagged MT Settebello vessel came under attack after the US accused it of not complying with directions from American forces. [2] Of the 24 Indian crew members aboard the Settebello, 21 were rescued while three are confirmed dead after their bodies were located and identified. [2] India’s shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal stated that three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified. [2] The Omani Navy responded to the Settebello’s distress call after it reported an engine fire following the US strike. [4] India’s foreign ministry condemned the attack and said 21 Indian sailors had been rescued. [4] The US military’s Central Command said a US aircraft had carried out a precision strike on the Palau-flagged oil products tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. [4] CENTCOM stated it fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces. [4] The US military accused the tanker of violating the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran. [2]
Sequence of Tanker Strikes Off Oman
US aircraft strikes engine room of oil tanker MT Settebello in Gulf of Oman. — Source: middleeasteye
This was the third strike this week on Indian-crewed tankers off Oman. [2] On Monday the US military hit another Palau-flagged tanker with Indian crew members, the Marivex, in the Gulf of Oman. [2] CENTCOM also accused the Marivex of failing to comply with American instructions. [2] All 24 crew members of that vessel were rescued by Oman’s military according to Indian authorities. [2] A US jet fired two missiles into the engine room of the tanker Jalveer off Oman on Thursday. [1] US Central Command confirmed the strike on the Jalveer. [1] All 20 crew members were safe after the third strike on Indian-crewed tankers this week. [1] India’s shipping ministry said all 20 Indian crew members were safe after a new suspected US strike on the asphalt tanker Jalveer off Oman on Thursday. [2] Evacuation of crew from MT Jalveer to Shinas port is being coordinated with assistance from Royal Navy of Oman. [2] The Indian embassy in Oman reported an incident involving another tanker off Oman. [4] The Indian Foreign Ministry stated that the commercial vessel MT Jalveer which had 20 Indians on board had also come under attack by the US navy. [4] All the sailors on the ship were confirmed to be safe. [4]
India's Response and Diplomatic Protest
India lodged a strong protest and summoned the US deputy chief of mission in Delhi. [2] After the attack the Indian government summoned the deputy head of Washington’s mission in Delhi. [2] The US should take note of India’s protest against attacks on ships carrying their citizens India’s Foreign Ministry announced. [4] India’s foreign ministry on Wednesday condemned the attack. [4] Sarbananda Sonowal said the Modi government stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin. [2] Sonowal directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased for their final rites. [2] Family members of Shivanand Chaurasia one of the sailors who died told reporters he had gone to sea about nine months ago and had told his father earlier this week that everything was fine. [4]
US Blockade on Iran and Operational Details
Three Indian sailors died after US strike on oil tanker MT Settebello off Oman. — Source: timesofindia
The attacks are part of a US blockade on Iran’s ports imposed April 13 in response to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. [2] CENTCOM reports disabling eight non-compliant vessels redirecting 134 compliant ships and allowing 42 humanitarian vessels to pass. [2] CENTCOM said on Wednesday that it had disabled eight non-compliant vessels redirected 134 ships that complied and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13. [2] The deaths are the first reported since the blockade began on April 13 operations which have seen the US disable eight ships and turn back more than 100 others. [4] Of the three vessels the ministry said two were sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control while the third was in the non-compliant category. [4] CENTCOM said the Settebello violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran. [4] US forces disabled the unladen Marivex oil tanker which also had Indian crew aboard in the Gulf of Oman on Monday after it attempted to sail to an Iranian port. [4]
Broader US-Iran Hostilities
The strikes coincide with renewed US-Iran hostilities including US attacks on Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran following the downing of a US helicopter prompting Iranian retaliation on US-linked targets. [2] Since the war began in late February Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz the crucial waterway through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil and a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas passes. [2] In response the US has imposed a blockade on Iran’s ports. [2] It comes as the US and Iran continued to exchange strikes overnight and into Thursday. [2] The renewed hostilities followed the downing of an American helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week after which Washington launched strikes on Iranian military infrastructure. [2] Iranian media reported explosions in several areas including Bandar Abbas Qeshm and Minab near the Strait of Hormuz. [2] Reports also cited strikes in Karaj Nazarabad and Pishva near Tehran. [2] Iranian media said at least three people were wounded in Tehran province. [2] The attacks came after US President Donald Trump accused Tehran of prolonging negotiations to end the three-month war. [2] Speaking on Wednesday Trump said Iran had been playing us for suckers and would have to pay the price. [2] Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the US strikes on Thursday saying they rendered the nearly two-month ceasefire practically meaningless. [2] It said Washington bore responsibility for what it called the extremely serious consequences of the attacks. [2] The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it retaliated by striking US-linked military targets in Bahrain Kuwait and Jordan. [2]
Impact on Indian Seafarers and Global Shipping
The Indian Shipping Ministry also announced that at present there are 562 Indian seafarers on Indian flagged vessels with a total of over 18,000 Indian sailors in the Gulf region as a whole and 13 Indian vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. [4] India is the world’s third-largest supplier of seafarers with more than 300,000 sailors working in global shipping fleets according to government data. [4] Ships being targeted by the US blockade include Iranian vessels as well as so-called shadow fleet tankers which are typically older vessels without Western insurance used to transport sanctioned oil and sailing under the flags of various nations to obscure their true ownership cargo and movements. [4] I strongly condemn any act from any party that endangers the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping. This is simply unacceptable said Arsenio Dominguez secretary-general of the UN’s shipping agency the International Maritime Organization on Wednesday. [4]
What to watch next: India is coordinating repatriation of rescued crew and mortal remains while the US blockade continues with CENTCOM reporting further actions against non-compliant vessels.
