Three Indian sailors killed in US blockade enforcement operation in Gulf of Oman

Three Indian sailors are dead after US forces struck an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on June 10, 2026, marking the most lethal incident yet in Washington’s ongoing naval blockade against Iran. The operation targeted the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello, hitting its engine room and killing crew members Aditya Sharma, Shivanand Chaurasia, and Patnala Suresh.

The remaining 21 Indian sailors aboard were rescued by Omani authorities. India responded by summoning a US diplomat, a move that signals this is no longer just a US-Iran standoff. It now has a body count involving a third country’s civilians.

What happened aboard the MT Settebello

The MT Settebello was operating in the Gulf of Oman when US Central Command forces engaged the vessel. The strike targeted the ship’s engine room, according to reports from the incident. The tanker was carrying a crew of 24 Indian nationals, all of whom were civilian merchant sailors.

The attack followed what US authorities described as the crew’s alleged attempt to defy blockade orders. Those orders have been in effect since April 13, 2026, when the US imposed a naval blockade aimed at halting Iranian oil exports. The blockade was established in response to Iranian restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

India’s Shipping Minister described the incident as “deeply unfortunate.” The summoning of a US diplomat underscored the severity of New Delhi’s response.

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