The US military disabled the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello by firing precision munitions into its engine room in the Gulf of Oman on June 9, 2026, according to US and Indian sources [1, 2]. The tanker was carrying 24 Indian crew members at the time of the strike [1, 2]. Three Indian sailors went missing after the attack and were later confirmed dead after bodies were recovered and identified [1, 3]. Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified. I have directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members" [3].
The Omani military conducted search and rescue operations, successfully rescuing 21 Indian crew members from the Settebello [1, 2]. The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, saying, "The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end" [2]. United Nations International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called the strike "simply unacceptable" and expressed sympathy for the families of the seafarers [2].
This is the second Indian-crewed vessel hit by US forces in the Gulf of Oman in the past week. The US struck another Palau-flagged tanker, the Marivex, on June 8, carrying Indian sailors who were safely airlifted by Oman authorities [4, 5].
US Central Command said all strikes were carried out after ships failed to follow directions from US forces enforcing a blockade on Iranian oil shipments in the Gulf of Oman that began on April 13, 2026, in response to Iran restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz [1, 4]. Since the blockade began, the US military has blocked eight vessels and redirected over 130 more, including the recent strikes on Indian-crewed tankers [1, 4].
India summoned the deputy US chief of mission in New Delhi to protest the attack on the Settebello and urged prompt repatriation of survivors and the remains of the deceased sailors [1, 3]. Shipping Minister Sonowal said officials were working on this effort [3].
