Three Indian sailors are missing after a US military strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, according to Indian authorities. Twenty-one other Indian crew members were rescued following the incident, which has reignited tensions surrounding the transport of Iranian oil in the region.
According to US Central Command, the operation targeted the oil tanker Settebelloflying the flag of Palau. Washington claims the ship was carrying Iranian oil in violation of the US maritime blockade and that it had repeatedly refused to obey instructions from US forces.
The US military stated that an aircraft carried out a "precision" strike against the ship's engine room to disable it. The US command maintains that this action was intended to prevent the tanker from continuing its journey while minimizing risks to the crew.
The United States imposed this blockade on April 13, following a sharp reduction in maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz attributed to measures taken by Iran. This area is considered one of the world's most important strategic points for the transport of oil and natural gas.
India, for its part, protested the attack and expressed concern for the fate of the three missing sailors. Indian authorities are monitoring the situation and seeking further information about the circumstances of the incident.
This strike comes amid persistent tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iranian oil exports and maritime security in the Gulf. The incident could further fuel concerns about the stability of maritime routes used by a significant portion of global energy trade.
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