US Says Tanker Ignored 60 Warnings, Crew Given 15 Minutes To Evacuate Before Strike Killed 3 Indian Sailors
The United States military said it issued nearly 60 verbal warnings and carried out multiple aerial shows of force before striking a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman, an operation that disabled the vessel and killed three Indian sailors, according to US officials and statements cited by the Associated Press.
The Palau-flagged tanker M/T Settebello was targeted by US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday after what US officials described as repeated attempts to breach an American-enforced blockade on Iranian oil shipments.
Officials said the vessel had been in contact with US forces over a two-week period and ignored multiple instructions to turn back.
US officials said the ship also disregarded around eight aerial demonstrations of force, including flyovers and flares.
On the day of the strike, CENTCOM said US forces issued two final warnings and gave the crew 15 minutes to evacuate the engine room before an American aircraft fired precision-guided munitions that disabled the vessel.
CENTCOM said the operation followed more than 60 verbal warnings issued over time. “After being in place for more than 60 days, it should be clear by now that US forces will strictly enforce the blockade,” the command said in a statement.
US officials said the tanker was part of a so-called “shadow fleet” involved in transporting Iranian oil in violation of sanctions and attempting to evade restrictions. They said the vessel had repeatedly tried to break the blockade.
Three Indian nationals were killed in the strike, Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh, Deck Cadet Aditya Sharma, and Engine Fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya. Twenty-one other Indian crew members were rescued by regional authorities.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it strongly protested the incident and summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks in New Delhi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also raised the matter with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling the use of lethal force against commercial shipping unacceptable and reiterating India’s protest over the deaths.
The US State Department said Rubio told Jaishankar that all commercial vessels operating in the region must comply with instructions from US forces as they enforce security measures in the Strait of Hormuz.
Dubai-based IOS Marine FZE, the company managing the vessel, rejected the US account. It said the tanker had been stationary for around 10 days before the strike and was not carrying out any manoeuvres that would justify military action.
The company has called for an independent international investigation and said the strike caused more than $35 million in damage.
Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of the Forward Seamen’s Union of India, also questioned the US account, saying civilian vessels should be detained rather than subjected to lethal force.
The incident took place in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping chokepoint for oil. The waterway is one of the most important routes for seaborne crude shipments, and any disruption there can affect energy trade, shipping operations, and insurance costs.
US officials said the operation was part of ongoing enforcement against Iranian oil exports and sanctions evasion networks described as “shadow fleets.”
The tanker has been disabled following the strike. Twenty-one Indian crew members survived, while three fatalities have been confirmed. India has maintained its protest, while the vessel operator continues to call for an independent investigation.
The US has not expressed regret over the deaths, according to statements cited by Indian officials.
References: ndtv, firstpost
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