Three Indian Crew Members Missing After US Bombs Tanker in the Gulf of Oman

 

According to Reuters, India summoned a US diplomat and expressed 'strong protest' over the strike

by Dave DeCamp | June 10, 2026 at 2:35 pm ET | India, Iran

Three Indian crew members are missing after the US bombed a tanker in the Gulf of Oman as it continues to target civilian ships in its enforcement of the blockade on Iranian ports.

US Central Command said on Wednesday that it attacked the Palau-flagged oil product tanker Settebello. “A US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces,” CENTCOM said.

Video of the strike released by CENTCOM

The Indian Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the attack that said 21 out of the 24 Indian crew members of the tanker had been rescued, but that three were 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 said.

“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region in keeping with international law must be restored at the earliest,” the ministry added.

According to Reuters, India summoned the US deputy chief of mission to the country after lodging a “strong protest” over the US attack. The strike was also strongly condemned by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“I strongly condemn any act from any party that endangers the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping,” said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. “This is simply unacceptable. My thoughts are with the families of the three missing seafarers and with all those awaiting news of the crew members.”

A day earlier, the US bombed another tanker that had a 24-person Indian crew, who were forced to abandon ship due to a fire caused by the US strike.

According to CENTCOM, the latest attack marked at least the eighth time US forces “disabled” a civilian commercial vessel while enforcing the blockade on Iran.

https://news.antiwar.com/2026/06/10/three-indian-crew-members-missing-after-us-bombs-tanker-in-the-gulf-of-oman/