India Protests US Attack on Tanker Off Oman; Three Crew Missing

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has summoned Jason Meeks, the Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy, to express strong disapproval regarding an attack on the tanker Settebello off the coast of Oman. The incident occurred on Wednesday, resulting in three Indian crew members being reported missing.

According to the MEA, 21 Indian seafarers were rescued following the attack. The situation is being closely monitored by the Indian Embassy in Oman, which is in active coordination with Omani authorities for ongoing search and rescue operations. While no formal demarche was issued, sources confirmed the seriousness of India's concerns.

Earlier, the Indian government had issued a statement condemning the attack, yet did not assign blame for the strike. Reports suggest that the tanker, flagged in Palau, was allegedly targeted by US forces as it was thought to be ignoring an American blockade aimed at Iranian ports. British maritime risk management group Vanguard stated that the ship had transmitted a distress signal after being struck by what appears to be a missile, igniting a fire in the engine room approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, Oman.

The US Central Command (Centcom) stated that the Settebello had failed to comply with directives to refrain from transporting oil from Iran and defended the incident as necessary for maintaining the blockade. "U.S. Central Command disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces," the statement indicated.

In response to the continuing violence in the region, India's MEA has labelled the attacks on commercial vessels as "deeply worrisome." The Ministry remarked, "The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest," calling for immediate de-escalation of tensions.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency first reported the distress incident, confirming that the Oman Navy responded promptly to assist the vessel and evacuate the crew. The incident has raised significant concerns over maritime security in the region, as it follows a previous attack on another tanker involving Indian seafarers just days before, highlighting the precarious situation in West Asian waters.

The Indian government has not confirmed any fatalities among the crew but continues to seek clarity on the incident as it unfolds. Local maritime officials and organisations are closely monitoring developments and have raised the alarm over the broader implications for commercial shipping and regional stability.