The government identified the bodies and began repatriation efforts, while officials called for a full investigation into the circumstances aboard the vessel.
As reported by the Twitter account @sarbanandsonwal.
Three Indian nationals died aboard the vessel MT Settebello, which had earlier been struck by American forces – according to Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, on June 11.
He called the Palau-flagged vessel’s incident a “tragic incident,” not naming the United States.
“Unfortunately, the death of three Indian sailors has been confirmed, who were initially believed to be missing after their bodies were found and identified”
– Sarbananda Sonowal
Sonowal expressed the government’s support for the families of the deceased and added that he had directed officials to ensure the immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and the swift return of the deceased’s remains.
The day before, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that on June 9 its forces again disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after another vessel breached the blockade while attempting to transport oil from Iran.
The command confirmed the strike on the Palau-flagged Settebello during its transit through the Gulf of Oman:
“An American aircraft struck the vessel’s engine room with precision munitions after the crew repeatedly failed to follow the orders of the American forces”
– CENTCOM
In April, after a ceasefire agreement and a round of talks between Iranian and American representatives in Pakistan that failed to yield results, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the start of a naval blockade of Iran, which remains in effect.
According to U.S. data, since the start of the Gulf blockade on April 13, CENTCOM has disabled eight ships for failing to comply with directives, redirected 134 ships, and allowed 42 ships carrying humanitarian aid to pass.
In late May, the United States stated that it had “disabled” a vessel in the Gulf of Oman to enforce the blockade of Iranian ports, underscoring the lasting consequences of the regional conflicts.
After a round of talks between Iran and the United States that failed to deliver the expected results, tensions and the maritime blockade in the region continue, shaping the next steps for both sides.
The news underscores the complexity of the situation in the Gulf of Oman and the need for coordinated efforts by the international community to reduce risks to civilians and ship crews.
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