India summons US envoy over tanker strike off Oman; 3 Indians still missing
The MEA said 21 Indian sailors were rescued following the attack, while three remain missing. The US military subsequently admitted targeting the vessel during enforcement of its blockade on Iran.
India on Wednesday summoned the United States' Charg d’Affaires in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over an attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman that had 24 Indian crew members onboard.
Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), summoned Jason Meeks, Charg d’Affaires of the United States, following the strike on the tanker Settebello.
The move came as India strongly condemned the attack and expressed concern over the safety of Indian nationals caught in the latest escalation in the Middle East. In an official statement, the MEA said: "We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today."
"Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far and 03 Indians are reportedly missing. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation," the ministry added.
US CONFIRMS STRIKE ON SETTEBELLO
The US Central Command later confirmed that it had targeted the Settebello at 11:14 pm on June 9 (US time) as part of its ongoing maritime blockade against Iran.
According to the statement, "US Central Command disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman", adding that "a US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship's engine room" after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with instructions from American forces.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SETTEBELLO?
Maritime security agencies said the Settebello, a Palau-flagged chemical and oil products tanker, was struck off the Omani coast in what security analysts believe was a US missile attack. The vessel reported an engine-room fire about 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar port in Oman.
British maritime security company Ambrey said the incident was likely linked to US operations enforcing a blockade on Iran-related shipping.
"This was likely the result of US operations to blockade Iranian ports," Ambrey said. The Omani Navy responded to the vessel's distress call and rescue efforts began shortly afterward.
The ship had a total crew of 28 people, including 24 Indians.
India warned that attacks on merchant vessels were becoming increasingly dangerous as tensions continued to rise across the region. It also called for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
"We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region."
SHIPPING ROUTES UNDER GROWING PRESSURE
The incident comes amid growing risks for commercial vessels operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors. The United States began a blockade of Iran-related shipping in April after Tehran imposed severe restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait.
Since then, tensions have remained high.
According to US Central Command, American forces have intercepted or redirected dozens of vessels suspected of violating the blockade. Several ships linked to Iran's so-called shadow fleet have also been targeted.
The attack on the Settebello follows another recent maritime incident involving the tanker Marivex, which was attacked in the Gulf of Oman after allegedly attempting to sail to an Iranian port.