US strikes Iran-bound oil tanker in Gulf of Oman, leaving 3 Indian crew members missing

Jun 9, 2026

A US military strike disabled the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman for violating a blockade on Iran, leaving three of its 24 Indian crew members missing. US Central Command confirmed it fired precision munitions into the ship's engine room. The incident prompted India to summon a senior US diplomat in protest, condemning the continued attacks on commercial shipping in the volatile region.

US strike on Settebello tanker

▪The Settebello is a Palau-flagged chemical/oil products tanker, and the attack caused a fire in its engine room.
▪The US military attacked the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman on June 10, 2026.
▪The strike was initiated after the Settebello's crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.
▪US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed a US aircraft fired precision munitions into the Settebello's engine room.
▪The incident occurred 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman's port of Sohar.

US blockade of Iranian oil

▪On June 8, 2026, a US F-18 Super Hornet hit and disabled another Palau-flagged tanker, the MT Marivex, for violating the blockade.
▪CENTCOM stated the Settebello was disabled for violating the blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.
▪The US strike was part of an ongoing blockade of Iranian ports, which began on April 13.
▪Since the blockade began, US forces have disabled eight non-compliant vessels and redirected 134 ships.

Indian crew missing

▪The vessel had a total of 24 Indian crew members on board at the time of the attack.
▪Three Indian crew members are reportedly missing from the Settebello.
▪21 of the 24 Indian crew members from the Settebello have been rescued.

Rescue operations off Oman

▪The Omani Navy responded to the Settebello's distress call after the attack.
▪India's Embassy in Oman is coordinating with local Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

Indian diplomatic response

▪The MEA called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a diplomatic solution for peace in the Middle East.
▪India summoned Jason Meeks, the US Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi, to lodge a "strong protest".
▪India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack on the Settebello.

Regional shipping security concerns

▪India's MEA stated that continuing attacks on shipping are deeply worrisome and a direct result of regional conflict.
▪The Strait of Hormuz normally carries one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG shipments.
▪The Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway, has been under rival blockades from both Tehran and the US for months.