US Forces Kill Three Indian Sailors off Oman, New Delhi Condemns Washington

A United States attack off the coast of Oman has claimed lives, not of Iranians, but of Indian sailors. “Three Indian sailors, who were initially reported missing, have died after a ship was attacked by US forces off the coast of Oman earlier this week,” said Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Sonowal said the bodies of the three sailors have been recovered. For India, he said, the deaths of the three sailors represent a tragic loss. The Palau-flagged oil tanker, Settebello, had a total of 28 crew members, including 24 Indian nationals and four foreign nationals—two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian—when it was attacked by the US military in the Gulf of Oman. The US military said it struck after the vessel allegedly failed to follow US instructions and continued to carry oil from Iran. Initial reports stated that 21 Indian sailors were rescued from the vessel, while three others remained missing. “It is deeply regrettable to hear about the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Tragically, three Indian sailors who were initially reported missing have now been confirmed dead after their bodies were found and identified,” he said in a post on X.