Key Facts
India on Thursday (June 11, 2026) confirmed that three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members came under attack from the US Navy off the coast of Oman over the past four days. New Delhi has lodged a strong protest with the United States, demanding an immediate halt to such strikes.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated at an inter-ministerial briefing that the attacks on the ships Settebello, Marivex, and Jalveer were carried out by the US Navy. The attacks resulted in the death of three Indian sailors and left several others injured.
Details of the Attacks
The first incident occurred on June 8 when the US Navy disabled the Palau-flagged oil tanker Marivex, which had 24 Indian seafarers on board. All crew members were safely rescued. On June 10, the US struck another Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello, killing three of the 24 Indian sailors. The third vessel, Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker with 20 Indians, was attacked on June 11.
The US Central Command claimed that Jalveer was disabled after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces, and that the vessel was violating the blockade against Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil.
India's Strong Protest
India summoned the US Charge d'Affaires on Wednesday (June 10) and handed over a diplomatic note of protest. Mr. Jaiswal said, “We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafaring community. When this particular attack on the ship Settebello occurred, we lodged a strong protest with the American side.” He further emphasized that these attacks must stop.
India also conveyed that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward for the peaceful resolution of the conflict, and that there should be unimpeded access through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.
Impact on Indian Seafarers
Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said that the evacuation of seafarers from Jalveer has commenced. From Settebello, all remaining 25 crew members—including 21 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Russian, and one Ukrainian—have been safely evacuated. The Seamen Welfare Fund Society has been asked to pay ₹10 lakh to the family of each deceased.
Over 18,000 Indian seafarers remain in the Gulf region, including 562 crew members aboard 13 Indian-flagged ships—329 on vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz and 233 in the Gulf of Oman.
What Readers Should Know
- The three vessels were foreign-flagged and not Indian-owned. Two were Palau-flagged, one Guinea-Bissau-flagged.
- Two of the vessels were subject to US Treasury OFAC sanctions for violating sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil.
- India has been pressing for immediate de-escalation and a diplomatic solution to the regional conflict.
- Secretary (West) Sibi George indicated that the situation may figure in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral meetings at the G7 summit in France.
FAQ
How many Indian sailors were killed in the US attacks?
Three Indian sailors were killed when the US struck the tanker Settebello on June 10.
Which vessels were targeted by the US Navy?
The US Navy targeted three foreign-flagged tankers: Marivex (Palau-flagged), Settebello (Palau-flagged), and Jalveer (Guinea-Bissau-flagged).
What was India's response to the attacks?
India summoned the US Charge d'Affaires and lodged a strong protest, demanding that such attacks stop and that dialogue and diplomacy be used for peaceful resolution.