India protests after U.S. strike kills three sailors off Oman

The U.S. military confirmed it had also disabled the Marivex tanker earlier this week, another vessel with Indian crew, after it attempted to sail to an Iranian port.

India has lodged a strong protest with Washington after three of its sailors were killed in a U.S. strike on a tanker off Oman, demanding an immediate halt to American attacks on commercial shipping linked to Iran.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the tanker Settebello was hit on Thursday, killing three crew members and injuring others. The Omani Navy rescued 21 sailors after the vessel reported an engine fire. The incident marked the first Indian fatalities since the U.S. blockade began on April 13, during which American forces have disabled eight ships and turned back more than 100 others.

“These attacks must cease and end,” Jaiswal told reporters, adding that India had summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires in New Delhi to convey its “deepest concerns.” He urged dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region.

U.S. Central Command said the strike was carried out after the Settebello repeatedly ignored instructions from American forces. It accused the vessel of violating the blockade by attempting to transport Iranian oil.

The deaths have sparked outrage in India, where Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the loss as a “profound tragedy for our maritime family.” India has more than 300,000 sailors working in global fleets, making it one of the largest suppliers of maritime labor worldwide.

The U.S. military confirmed it had also disabled the Marivex tanker earlier this week, another vessel with Indian crew, after it attempted to sail to an Iranian port. Washington says its blockade targets Iranian vessels and “shadow fleet” tankers — older ships often sailing under flags of convenience to obscure ownership and cargo.

The timing is politically sensitive. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to raise the issue directly with President Donald Trump at next week’s G7 summit. The deaths could complicate India’s balancing act between its strategic partnership with the U.S. and its longstanding energy ties with Iran.

The International Maritime Organization condemned the attacks. “I strongly condemn any act from any party that endangers the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping. This is simply unacceptable,” said Secretary‑General Arsenio Dominguez.

The incident underscores the growing risks of Washington’s enforcement campaign in the Gulf, which has already disrupted global energy flows and heightened tensions with Tehran. For India, the tragedy has turned a geopolitical confrontation into a deeply personal crisis, with grieving families demanding accountability and assurances that their loved ones will not be caught in the crossfire of a war they did not choose.