India on Thursday urged the United States to halt strikes on shipping after three US attacks on Indian-crewed tankers this week, including one that resulted in the deaths of three sailors. These are the first reported fatalities since a US blockade on Iran-linked shipping began on April 13, during which US forces have disabled eight vessels and turned back over 100 others.
India's Demand for Ceasefire
“These attacks must cease and end,” Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters. “We also call for dialogue and diplomacy so that we can have an early return to peace and stability in the region.” Jaiswal said the US Navy had attacked three ships with Indian crews this week, including one on Thursday.
Diplomatic Action Taken
He added that the ministry had summoned the US chargé d’affaires in New Delhi on Wednesday to convey its “deepest concerns over the ongoing attacks” after a strike on the tanker Settebello off Oman, in which three Indian sailors died. The US embassy did not respond to requests for immediate comment.
US Military's Stance
The US military's Central Command said a US aircraft had carried out a precision strike on the Settebello's engine room “after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.” It stated that the Settebello “violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.”
Ship Manager's Denial
The ship's manager, IOS Marine FZE, rejected claims that it ignored warnings or was carrying Iranian crude and called for a transparent international investigation. The Settebello “holds no affiliation whatsoever with Iran or Iranian oil,” it said in a statement posted on X by the Forward Seamen's Union of India.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
The Omani Navy responded to the Settebello’s distress call after it reported an engine fire, and 21 Indian sailors were rescued. Family members of Shivanand Chaurasia, one of the deceased sailors, told reporters he had gone to sea about nine months ago and had told his father earlier this week that everything was fine. Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the deaths were a “profound loss to our maritime family.”
Broader Context
India has more than 300,000 sailors working in global shipping fleets, according to government data. The US attacks come ahead of next week's Group of Seven summit, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump.
Blockade Details
Centcom said the US blockade had disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass. US forces disabled the unladen Marivex oil tanker, which also had an Indian crew aboard, in the Gulf of Oman on Monday after it attempted to sail to an Iranian port. Ships targeted include Iranian vessels and so-called shadow fleet tankers—older vessels without Western insurance used to transport sanctioned oil, sailing under various flags to obscure ownership, cargo, and movements.
International Reaction
“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 Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the UN's International Maritime Organisation, on Wednesday.
