Key facts
- India has lodged a second protest with the US over a strike that killed three Indian sailors.
- The US Central Command stated the tanker Settebello violated a naval blockade of Iran's ports.
- The US stated the tanker failed to comply with directions from American forces.
- Iran's embassy in New Delhi called US President Donald Trump's claims of an Iranian drone attack "baseless."
- Iran accused the US of attacking Indian seafarers and diverting attention from its own strikes.
- Indian sailor Patnala Suresh was killed in the US strike on the MT Settebello.
- The US military stated the tanker ignored warnings and carried Iranian oil.
- The vessel's managers dispute the claim that the tanker was carrying Iranian oil.
- India summoned the US Charge d'Affaires twice in two days.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- A US boat strike reportedly resulted in over 200 fatalities.
- Families of victims from last year's Air India Boeing crash are seeking answers and accountability.
India has lodged a second protest with the United States concerning a US strike that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors aboard the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello off Oman. The US Central Command stated that the vessel violated a naval blockade of Iran's ports and failed to comply with directions from American forces. Iran's embassy in New Delhi has described US President Donald Trump's claims of an Iranian drone attack on Indian ships as "simply baseless." The embassy further stated that the US is attempting to divert attention from its own military strikes on merchant vessels in the Gulf of Oman, which led to the deaths of three Indian sailors.
An Indian sailor, identified as Patnala Suresh, was killed in the US strike on the oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. His wife recounted his last words, in which he promised a safe return for their anniversary. The US military asserted that the tanker ignored warnings and was carrying Iranian oil, a claim that has been disputed by the vessel's managers. India summoned the US Charge d'Affaires for the second time in a week to protest the American military strikes on commercial vessels off Oman, which have resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to protest these "unjustified" US Navy attacks off the coast of Oman that killed three Indian mariners. The US embassy's charge d'affaires was summoned twice in two days.
Separately, a US boat strike reportedly resulted in over 200 fatalities, though details remain scarce and service members have raised questions regarding this incident. Families of victims from last year's Air India Boeing crash gathered to commemorate the event, seeking answers and closure. While compensation has been received, many families are still looking for accountability and a judicial probe into the incident.