U.S. attacks third ship with Indian crew near Oman in four days; sailors safe
A day after the U.S. forces attacked tanker Settebello and killed three Indian seafarers, the U.S. struck another vessel, MT Jalveer, near Oman on Thursday
A day after the U.S. forces attacked tanker Settebello and killed three Indian seafarers, the U.S. struck another vessel, MT Jalveer, near Oman on Thursday (June 11, 2026). This is the third such incident in four days. Jalveer is a Guinea-Bissau-flagged asphalt tanker. West Asia war LIVE updates Confirming the attack, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said that “it acted against Guinea-Bissau flagged M/T Jalveer as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces.” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the U.S. Navy operating in the region attacked MT Jalveer. “These attacks came from the U.S. Navy that is stationed there. As you would have seen in the various reports, as also in what was clarified through our statements and otherwise from this podium, the three ships that have been involved in the incidents are foreign-flagged,” Mr. Jaiswal said.
Jaiswal said two of the vessels were sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), while another was a non-compliant ship. Additional Secretary of the Shipping Ministry, Mukesh Mangal, said MT Jalveer had 20 Indian seafarers on board. “On June 11, MT Jalveer, with 20 Indian seafarers on board, was reportedly involved in a maritime security incident near Shinas port, Oman. All crew members are safe. As per the latest information, evacuation to Shinas port has commenced. Six more crew members are to be evacuated,” he said. “The Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and is in continuous coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions abroad and the Indian Navy and other relevant stakeholders,” he added. A source in the shipping industry said that like Settebello, Jalveer too was anchored. “ We don’t know why they are targeting ships that are anchored as per their instructions.” The source was referring to the U.S. blockade of ships in the Gulf of Oman.
Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Oman wrote on X, “We have learnt of an incident involving a vessel off Shinas port of Oman, earlier today [June 11, 2026]. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the local authorities for further details.” Issuing an alert, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 21 NM northeast of Sohar, Oman. Local authorities have reported a tanker has experienced a fire in the engine room. No environmental impact has been reported. Authorities continue to investigate.” Three missing Indian seafarers onboard MT Settebello confirmed dead: Sonowal Condoling the deaths of sailors aboard Settebello, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal posted on X on Thursday, “It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified.
The BriefWire