India has called on the United States to stop military actions against commercial vessels after three Indian sailors were killed in a strike on a tanker operating near Oman.
According to Indian officials, three vessels staffed by Indian crews have been targeted this week amid a U.S.-led effort to intercept shipping suspected of links to Iran. The latest incident involved the tanker Settebello, where three Indian seafarers lost their lives.
India’s Foreign Ministry said it had formally raised the issue with U.S. diplomats, expressing serious concern over the attacks and urging a return to diplomacy to restore stability in the region.
The U.S. military stated that the Settebello was struck after allegedly failing to follow instructions from American forces and attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of the ongoing maritime blockade. However, the vessel’s management company denied those accusations, insisting the tanker had no connection to Iran and calling for an independent international investigation.
Following the attack, Omani naval forces rescued 21 crew members from the vessel after it reported an engine-room fire.
The incident marks the first reported fatalities since the U.S. began enforcing restrictions on Iran-linked maritime trade in April. American officials say multiple vessels have been disabled or redirected during the operation, while humanitarian shipments have been allowed to pass.
The deaths have drawn international concern. India’s shipping minister described the loss as a tragedy for the maritime community, while the head of the International Maritime Organization condemned any action that puts seafarers and global shipping at risk.
The dispute comes just days before an expected meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the upcoming G7 summit, where the issue could become a point of discussion.
