Three Indian seafarers have died after a US attack on a tanker off the coast of Oman, sparking India's protest over the Iran blockade. The three seafarers were reported missing after Omani armed forces rescued 25 crew members, including 21 Indians, from the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. US forces targeted another merchant vessel, MT Jalveer, with 20 Indian crew members, in the same region, but all crew members are reportedly safe.
India has condemned the attack on Settebello and summoned the US charge d' affaires to register a strong protest. The Indian government has also directed officials to ensure the immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and the swift return of the bodies of the dead.
The US Central Command said that Jalveer was 'disabled' when a combat aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces. The US claimed that Jalveer violated the blockade against Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil.
India has a total of more than 320,000 seafarers, and the government has expressed concern over the safety of its seafarers in the region. The Indian government has called for an end to the attacks on shipping in the region and has urged dialogue and diplomacy for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
