IMO chief condemns US attack on tanker, 3 Indian crew killed in Gulf of Oman
Synopsis
The UN's maritime agency has condemned a US military strike on the tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman that killed three Indian crew members — and India has formally protested to Washington. With CENTCOM calling it the second such 'disabling' this week and a second India-crewed vessel also targeted, the episode is testing both international maritime law and India-US diplomatic ties.
Key Takeaways
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez strongly condemned the US military strike on the tanker Settebello on 11 June .
Three Indian crew members were killed and 21 Indian sailors were rescued, confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) .
CENTCOM said its aircraft 'fired precision munitions into the ship's engine' in the Gulf of Oman , accusing the vessel of carrying Iranian oil.
India summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks to the MEA; Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu conveyed a formal protest.
A second tanker, the Marivex , also registered in Palau and carrying an Indian crew, was reportedly targeted in a separate strike the same week.
The IMO has called for a 'full and transparent investigation' into the incident.
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez on 11 June strongly condemned the US military strike on the tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman, in which three Indian crew members were killed and 21 Indian sailors were rescued. The IMO said it is monitoring the situation closely and has called for a full and transparent investigation into the incident.
The Attack and Its Toll
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that its aircraft 'fired precision munitions into the ship's engine' as the Settebello transited the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, accusing the vessel of transporting oil from Iran in violation of a US blockade of Iranian ports. The strike triggered a fire on board, with the IMO initially reporting three seafarers as missing — later confirmed dead.
The attack occurred approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of the Omani port of Sohar, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, which monitors shipping safety in the region. CENTCOM also released a video of the strike on X.
India's Diplomatic Response
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the casualties and convened an urgent meeting with the US Embassy's Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks. Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu, who oversees the Americas desk, formally conveyed India's protest over the attack. In an earlier statement, the MEA said, 'The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end.'
This represents one of the sharpest diplomatic protests India has lodged against the United States in recent memory, underscoring the gravity with which New Delhi views the loss of its nationals aboard a civilian commercial vessel.
IMO's Position on International Shipping Safety
Secretary-General Dominguez issued a pointed statement: 'I strongly condemn any act from any party that endangers the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping. This is simply unacceptable.' He added, 'All actions affecting international shipping must fully respect international law and the safety of life at sea. The protection of seafarers is a shared responsibility that must remain paramount.'
Dominguez also expressed condolences: 'My thoughts are with the families of the three seafarers who lost their lives and with all those awaiting news of the crew members.'
A Second Tanker Also Targeted
CENTCOM described the Settebello strike as the second such 'disabling' operation it carried out this week. The other vessel, the tanker Marivex — also registered in Palau, a small island nation in the Western Pacific Ocean — reportedly also carried an Indian crew and was similarly accused of breaching the US blockade of Iranian ports.
Both tankers are registered in Palau. Shipping tracking service Myshipfinder noted that the Settebello was last recorded in May heading toward Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates before going out of coverage. Its point of origin and final destination at the time of the attack remain unclear.
What Comes Next
The IMO's call for a 'full and transparent investigation' puts international pressure on Washington to account for the strike under maritime law. India's formal protest, combined with the IMO's condemnation, signals that the diplomatic fallout from the incident is far from over. Families of crew members aboard both vessels are reportedly still awaiting full information on the status of all personnel.
Point of View
And the fact that it did signals that the loss of Indian nationals on a civilian vessel is not a matter it will quietly absorb. The IMO's condemnation is notable precisely because it does not carve out an exception for the stated US rationale of enforcing an Iranian oil blockade, implicitly challenging whether that justification holds under international maritime law. India's exposure here is structural: hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers crew the world's commercial fleet, making any precedent that normalises strikes on civilian vessels a direct national security concern. The diplomatic response so far has been firm in tone but restrained in action — how far New Delhi is willing to push back against Washington will define the real significance of this episode.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman?
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) struck the tanker Settebello with precision munitions targeting its engine as it transited the Gulf of Oman, accusing it of transporting Iranian oil in violation of a US blockade. The strike caused a fire on board, killing three Indian crew members and leading to the rescue of 21 others.
Why did the US military attack the Settebello?
CENTCOM accused the Settebello of violating the US blockade of Iranian ports by transporting oil from Iran. The US described the strike as a 'disabling' operation and said it was the second such action carried out that week.
How has India responded to the attack?
India summoned US Embassy Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks to the Ministry of External Affairs, where Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu formally conveyed India's protest. The MEA also issued a statement saying 'the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end.'
What has the IMO said about the attack?
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez strongly condemned the strike, calling it 'simply unacceptable,' and called for a full and transparent investigation. He stressed that all actions affecting international shipping must respect international law and that the protection of seafarers is a 'shared responsibility.'
Was another India-crewed tanker also attacked?
Yes. A second tanker, the Marivex — also registered in Palau and reportedly carrying an Indian crew — was described by CENTCOM as the other vessel it 'disabled' the same week, also on accusations of breaching the US blockade of Iranian ports.
