US fired on Palau-flagged tanker Settebello off Oman on June 9 night. 3 Indian crew missing, 21 rescued.MEA “strongly condemned the attack on commercial vessel”. US CENTCOM brushed it off: called it “precision strike on non-compliant vessel” violating Iran oil blockade. The clash highlights growing friction between India’s push to protect seafarer safety and US efforts to enforce Iran sanctions in the Strait of Hormuz region.
MUSCAT/NEW DELHI, June 10, 2026 – The US has brushed aside India’s condemnation of a strike on the Palau-flagged tanker M/T Settebello, defending the attack that left 3 Indian crew members missing in the Gulf of Oman.
The incident: On June 9, 11:14 p.m., US Central Command CENTCOM fired precision munitions into the engine room of Settebello after the crew “repeatedly failed to comply” with orders. The vessel, carrying 24 Indian nationals, caught fire 20 nautical miles NE of Sohar Port, Oman. 21 crew were rescued; 3 remain missing. News peg: Differing responses
India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday “strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel _Settebello_”, calling it unacceptable and confirming the Embassy in Muscat is coordinating search ops with Omani authorities for the 3 missing Indians.
Differing responses: The US, however, dismissed the criticism. In a CENTCOM statement released hours after MEA’s condemnation, the command described Settebello as a “non-compliant vessel” transporting Iranian oil in violation of an April 13 blockade. CENTCOM said the strike was a “precision enforcement action” and made no mention of casualties, instead noting it had disabled 8 vessels since the blockade began.
UKMTO confirmed the engine room fire and Omani Navy’s response, while MarineTraffic data showed the partially laden tanker off Oman’s coast since June 1.The clash highlights growing friction between India’s push to protect seafarer safety and US efforts to enforce Iran sanctions in the Strait of Hormuz region.
