New Delhi: Maritime tensions in the Gulf region intensified after the United States confirmed carrying out a missile strike on an oil tanker with Indian crew members onboard, marking the third such incident involving Indian seafarers in the region within a week.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged that it targeted the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer, alleging that the vessel was transporting Iranian oil through the Gulf of Oman in violation of the American naval blockade. According to the US military, an aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles at the ship’s engine compartment after repeated warnings and instructions were allegedly ignored by the crew.
In an official statement, CENTCOM said it has intercepted several vessels since enforcing its blockade measures in April, claiming that dozens of ships have altered course after complying with its directives while humanitarian vessels have been allowed safe passage.
Reports from Iranian media indicated that five members of the 20-person crew were rescued by passing vessels and brought to safety in Oman. Details regarding the condition of the remaining crew members are still emerging.
The latest strike has added to growing concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers working in the conflict-hit Gulf region. Earlier this week, three Indian crew members reportedly lost their lives after another tanker, MT Settebello, came under attack near Oman. Before that incident, MT Marivex, carrying 24 Indian sailors, was also damaged in an attack near the Strait of Hormuz.
Reacting strongly to the recent developments, India condemned the repeated attacks on merchant vessels employing Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs described the incidents as deeply disturbing and stressed that the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers remain a top priority.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had already conveyed its concerns to the United States through diplomatic channels following the earlier attack and expects the matter to be addressed with seriousness.
The succession of attacks has heightened anxiety within the global shipping industry, as the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz remain critical routes for international energy supplies. With tensions continuing to escalate, maritime security in the region has once again come under sharp international focus.
