U.S. military disables Palau-flagged tanker in Gulf of Oman as blockade enforcement escalates; India protests after crew casualties
U.S. forces struck the engine room of the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on June 9 after it allegedly attempted to ship Iranian oil in violation of a U.S.-imposed blockade. At least one crew member died and two to three remain missing, triggering a sharp protest from India, whose nationals were among the rescued.
The strike
On June 9 at 23:14 local time, U.S. forces struck the engine room of the Palau-flagged chemical and oil tanker M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman, 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, Oman. The aircraft used precision munitions after the crew repeatedly refused to comply with instructions, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The strike disabled the ship's navigation system. This was the second such disabling operation in two days.
Blockade enforcement
The strike is part of a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian oil exports that began on April 13. CENTCOM data shows that since the start, U.S. forces have disabled 8 non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that agreed to inspections, and permitted 42 humanitarian aid shipments to pass. The Settebello was allegedly attempting to transport oil from Iran.
- U.S. imposes naval blockade on Iranian oil exports.
- First in a series of disabling strikes on non-compliant tankers (exact details not disclosed).
- U.S. aircraft strikes M/T Settebello, disabling it for non-compliance.
- Disabled non-compliant ships
- 8 ships
- Redirected compliant ships
- 134 ships
- Humanitarian passages allowed
- 42 ships
Casualties and diplomatic fallout
Initial reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicated a fire in the engine room, with one person killed and two crew members missing. Indian authorities later confirmed that 21 of the 24 Indian nationals aboard (out of a total crew of 28) were rescued, while two to three remain unaccounted for. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned U.S. chargé d'affaires Jason Mix to lodge a strong protest over the attack on a commercial vessel.
We summoned the American chargé d'affaires and lodged a strong protest over the attack on the commercial vessel.
The maritime security firm Ambrey assessed that the incident was likely a result of U.S. blockade operations, noting that crews had previously been warned to gather at the bow before such strikes.
This was likely a result of U.S. operations to blockade Iranian ports. In the past, crews had been warned to gather at the bow of the ship before an attack on the stern.
Wider regional tensions
The Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters have seen heightened tensions since a truce in April 2026. Both U.S. and Iranian forces have attacked merchant ships, and thousands of vessels remain idled in the strategic waterway as both sides enforce dueling blockades.
