India Protests After US Strike Kills Three Indian Sailors in Gulf of Oman
Maryam Tariq
New Delhi Escalates Diplomatic Response
India has formally lodged a strong protest with the United States after a US military strike on a commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman killed three Indian sailors, marking the first reported Indian fatalities since Washington’s blockade of Iran linked shipping began earlier this year.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he raised the issue directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressing that attacks on commercial shipping and the loss of civilian lives “cannot be justified.”
The diplomatic dispute intensified after India summoned a senior US diplomat in New Delhi for the second time in two days to convey its concerns over the incident.
Strike on MT Settebello
The vessel at the center of the controversy is the Palau flagged oil tanker MT Settebello, which was struck by US forces off the coast of Oman on Wednesday.
According to US Central Command, American forces targeted the ship after it allegedly failed to comply with repeated instructions and attempted to transport oil linked to Iran in violation of the ongoing US naval blockade.
The vessel’s operators have rejected the allegations, insisting that the tanker had no connection to Iranian oil and complied with international maritime regulations. They have called for an independent international investigation into the incident.
The strike killed three Indian sailors and forced a rescue operation involving the Omani Navy, which evacuated 21 surviving crew members.
More Indian Crewed Ships Targeted
The Settebello incident is not an isolated case.
Indian officials say three vessels with predominantly Indian crews have been targeted by US enforcement actions in the Gulf region within a single week.
Earlier, the tanker MT Marivex was disabled after allegedly attempting to sail toward an Iranian port. Another tanker carrying 20 Indian sailors was also struck, though all crew members were rescued.
The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors that handles nearly one fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Growing Tensions Ahead of Key Talks
The dispute comes at a sensitive moment for US India relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump are expected to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming G7 Summit, where the issue is likely to be discussed.
India has also issued a fresh advisory urging its more than 300,000 seafarers working across global shipping fleets to exercise extreme caution while operating in conflict affected waters.
As tensions continue to rise in the Gulf, New Delhi is demanding accountability for the deaths of its citizens while calling for diplomacy and de escalation to prevent further loss of life at sea.
Sources:
India demands end to US attacks on ships after three sailors killed
Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-summons-top-us-diplomat-second-time-protest-strikes-ships-off-oman-source-2026-06-12/
Jaishankar tells Rubio killing of Indian mariners by US forces ‘cannot be justified’
Economic Times
https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/jaishankar-tells-rubio-killing-of-indian-mariners-by-us-forces-cannot-be-justified/articleshow/131710288.cms
Lethal actions against commercial shipping not justified: Jaishankar lodges strong protest with Rubio
Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/lethal-actions-against-commercial-shipping-not-justified-jaishankar-lodges-strong-protest-with-rubio/articleshow/131693567.cms
India voices strong protest over 3 of its mariners being killed in US strikes on oil tankers
CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-war-us-oil-tankers-attacked-india-protest-mariners-killed/
