Three Indian seafarers who had been reported missing following a US military strike on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman have been confirmed dead, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday. The bodies of all three sailors have been recovered and identified.

The incident involved the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello, which was carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indian nationals and four foreign nationals. According to reports, the vessel came under attack in the Gulf of Oman after US forces alleged that it had failed to comply with instructions and was transporting Iranian oil.

Three missing sailors confirmed dead

The deceased sailors have been identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh. They were initially reported missing after the attack while 21 other Indian crew members were rescued. Sonowal described the development as a tragic loss and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The minister stated that the bodies had been located and identified following search and recovery efforts conducted after the strike.

Vessel carried 24 Indian nationals

MT Settebello had a crew comprising 24 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian and one Russian. The tanker was operating in the Gulf of Oman when it was targeted. The US military has said the vessel was struck because it was allegedly violating restrictions related to Iranian oil shipments.

The attack has drawn strong reactions in India due to the loss of Indian lives and concerns over the safety of civilian seafarers operating in a conflict-affected maritime region.

India lodged diplomatic protest

Before the deaths were confirmed, India had formally raised the issue with the United States and sought clarification over the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior US diplomat and conveyed concerns regarding the safety of Indian crew members aboard commercial vessels.

The latest development marks a tragic conclusion to the search for the three missing sailors and is likely to intensify concerns over maritime security in the Gulf region.

The United States carried out a fresh round of military strikes against targets in southern Iran on June 11, marking the second consecutive day of American attacks on the country. According to the US military, the operation targeted multiple sites in response to what Washington described as continued Iranian aggression.

Reports from Iran indicated that explosions were heard in several locations near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, including Minab, Sirik, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island. Iranian media said the attacks occurred shortly after the United States acknowledged conducting new military operations in the region.

Iran launches retaliatory attacks

In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for attacks on American military facilities across the Gulf region. Iranian authorities said operations targeted US-linked sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, describing them as retaliation for the latest American strikes.

Regional governments reported that air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming missiles and drones. Initial assessments from US officials suggested that most of the projectiles were intercepted and that there were no immediate reports of casualties among American personnel.

Strait of Hormuz dispute intensifies

Iran’s military leadership also announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed to vessel traffic and warned that any ship attempting to pass through the waterway could be targeted. Iranian media reported that military forces had acted against vessels attempting transit.

However, the US military disputed those claims, stating that commercial shipping continued to move through the strait and that no American warships had been struck. US Central Command said maritime traffic remained active despite Tehran’s announcement.

Concerns over oil markets

The latest escalation has renewed concerns over global energy supplies because the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Oil prices rose following reports of intensified military action and uncertainty surrounding maritime traffic in the region.

The renewed confrontation comes amid fragile diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran. Analysts warn that continued military exchanges could further destabilise the region and increase pressure on international energy markets.

Three Indian nationals have been reported missing following an attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Indian authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant agencies as efforts continue to locate the missing individuals.

The incident occurred in waters off Oman, where the vessel came under attack amid heightened security concerns in the region. While details surrounding the circumstances of the attack are still emerging, officials confirmed that three Indian nationals remain unaccounted for.

Government monitoring developments

The MEA said it is actively engaged in tracking developments related to the incident. Indian authorities are maintaining contact with concerned stakeholders and are working to gather more information about the condition of the vessel and the status of the missing crew members.

The attack has renewed concerns over maritime security in and around the Gulf region, an important route for international shipping and energy supplies. Recent incidents involving commercial vessels have highlighted the risks faced by seafarers operating in the area.

Search and response efforts underway

Efforts are underway to determine the whereabouts of the missing Indians. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the individuals, and further updates are expected as search and coordination efforts continue.

The Indian government has assured that it is closely following the situation and will provide assistance as required while continuing engagement with local authorities and maritime agencies.