Three Indian sailors were killed and twenty-one others rescued after United States naval forces fired missiles at their oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, in an attack that has set off a fierce diplomatic confrontation between Washington and New Delhi. The Palau-flagged MT Settebello came under fire on Wednesday after being accused of breaching an American naval blockade targeting Iranian oil exports, according to statements from both the US military and India’s foreign ministry.
US Central Command confirmed that an American aircraft launched precision munitions into the vessel’s engine room after repeated warnings went unheeded. The strike killed three crew members — Aditya Sharma, a deck cadet from Himachal Pradesh; Shivanand Chaurasia, an engine fitter from Uttar Pradesh; and Patnala Suresh, the chief engineer from Andhra Pradesh. All twenty-one surviving crew members were rescued from the water following the attack.
The Blockade and the Attack
The Settebello is the latest casualty in an escalating standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies. The United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian oil exports in April, and since then American forces have disabled eight vessels accused of non-compliance, redirected 134 ships that complied with inspections, and allowed 42 vessels carrying humanitarian aid to pass, according to Centcom figures.
A video released by US Central Command showed the moment of impact, with missiles striking the tanker amidships as it sat motionless in the water. Centcom said the vessel ignored multiple warnings and attempted to push through the exclusion zone while carrying oil intended for Iran.
The attack came just two days after US forces struck another tanker, the Marivex, also carrying Indian sailors. All twenty-four crew members aboard that vessel were rescued by Omani authorities. The back-to-back incidents have raised alarm in New Delhi about the safety of Indian seafarers operating in one of the world’s most heavily trafficked shipping corridors.
India’s Diplomatic Response
India launched an official protest and summoned Jason Meeks, the US embassy’s deputy chief of mission in New Delhi, to explain the strike. Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s shipping minister, called the deaths “a profound loss to our maritime family.” The foreign ministry said attacks on commercial shipping in the region were “deeply worrisome” and demanded the restoration of free navigation in line with international law.
“This is a profound loss to our maritime family.” — Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Shipping Minister
Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, has not publicly addressed the attack. Instead, he posted on social media thanking Donald Trump for congratulating him on becoming India’s longest-serving prime minister, after twelve years in the role. The omission drew immediate criticism.
“Does your friendship with Trump weigh more than the lives of Indian seafarers?” asked Dr Girja Shetkar, national spokesman for the Indian National Congress, in a statement posted online. The comment quickly spread across Indian media, adding pressure on a government already on the defensive over its handling of the crisis.