Overview
- US forces struck multiple commercial tankers in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week, firing on engine rooms and leaving some ships inoperable after crews allegedly disobeyed orders.
- India confirmed that three Indian crew members were killed in the attack on the MT Settebello and that 21 survivors were rescued from that vessel.
- New Delhi summoned the US chargé d’affaires to protest the strikes and called for an end to attacks on commercial shipping while asking for diplomatic talks to prevent further harm to mariners.
- The US Central Command said the targeted ships were carrying or trying to deliver Iranian oil and released a Pentagon video it says shows a missile hit the Settebello’s engine or steering area.
- Seafarers’ unions and shipping authorities warn the strikes are raising safety risks for merchant crews, complicating legal and operational questions about flags of convenience and the growing maritime standoff in the Strait of Hormuz corridor.