US Strikes Another Vessel with Indian Seafarers Hours After Demarche
In a dramatic escalation, the United States military struck a commercial oil tanker, MT Jalveer, carrying 20 Indian crew members off the coast of Oman on Thursday, just a day after three Indian sailors were killed in a similar attack. This marked the third US strike on a merchant vessel with Indian seafarers in a week.
All 20 Indian crew members aboard the Guinea-Bissau flagged tanker were safely evacuated, the Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed. The attack came hours after New Delhi issued a demarche to US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks, protesting the previous strike that killed three Indians on the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Two missing sailors from that incident were later declared dead.
US Justification and Response
The US Central Command stated that it disabled MT Jalveer after the vessel allegedly violated a blockade by attempting to transport Iranian oil. An aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with US directions. Earlier on Monday, the US had disabled another Palau-flagged vessel, MT Marivex, which also had Indian seafarers on board.
According to UK Maritime Trade Operations, MT Settebello was hit approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, Oman. The ship was reportedly operating as a “dark ship” with its automated identification system switched off. Indian sources confirmed that the vessel had not sunk.
India’s Response and Concerns
Forward Seamen’s Union of India general secretary Manoj Yadav expressed disbelief that the US was unaware of the nationalities on board. “I refuse to believe the US lacked information. The US naval forces knew exactly how many Indians and foreign nationals were there. If the ships failed to heed instructions, detaining them was a viable alternative,” he told ANI.
The opposition Congress expressed “profound grief” and condemned the “reckless military actions” by the US. It criticized Prime Minister Modi’s relationship with President Trump, stating, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly showcased his personal rapport with President Donald Trump as a diplomatic achievement. He cannot evade responsibility when that relationship fails to protect Indian lives and interests.”
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafaring community. When this particular attack on MT Settebello occurred, we lodged a strong protest with the American side.” India also flagged the issue at the UN Security Council.
Seafarers in the Gulf Region
Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, stated that over 18,000 Indian seafarers, including 562 crew members aboard 13 Indian-flagged ships, remain in the Gulf region. Of these, 329 are on vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz and 233 in the Gulf of Oman.
