5 Months, Multiple Strikes, 15 Deaths: How Indian Seafarers Paid The Price Of US-Iran Conflict
5 Months, Multiple Strikes, 15 Deaths: How Indian Seafarers Paid The Price Of US-Iran Conflict Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 19:59 IST Following
5 Months, Multiple Strikes, 15 Deaths: How Indian Seafarers Paid The Price Of US-Iran Conflict Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 19:59 IST Following the latest attack in which an Indian sailor was killed, India summoned Iranian diplomats, including Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini, to the MEA. The latest tragedy is part of a growing list of incidents in which Indian seafarers have been caught in the crossfire between Washington and Tehran. (Reuters file) At least 15 Indian sailors have died, and several others have been injured in attacks on commercial vessels linked to the escalating US-Iran conflict in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the war began in late February. The latest incident occurred after Iranian strikes on two oil tankers — Mombasa B and Al Bahyah — left one Indian crew member dead and six others injured. Following the attack, India summoned Iranian diplomats, including Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini, to the Ministry of External Affairs. The UAE defence ministry said the vessels were targeted while sailing through the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.
Shipping company Abu Dhabi Oil Company Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) confirmed that both very large crude carriers (VLCCs) suffered “significant damage". Eight crew members were injured in the attack, including six Indians and two Ukrainians. Four of the injured were reported to be in serious condition. The latest tragedy is part of a growing list of incidents in which Indian seafarers have been caught in the crossfire between Washington and Tehran. Here’s a timeline of Indian sailors killed and injured in the US-Iran conflict March 1: Indian sailors killed in tanker attacks The first major casualty involving Indian seafarers came on March 1, when an Indian sailor aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MKD Vyom was killed. The US accused Iran of carrying out the strike on the vessel. On the same day, two Indian sailors were killed after the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight was attacked near Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. May 8: Indian crew member dies after dhow fire An Indian sailor was killed after a wooden dhow carrying Indian crew members caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz. June 9: Three Indian sailors killed in US strike on tanker Three Indian seafarers died after the US military struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman.
The deaths triggered outrage in India, while Washington defended the operation, claiming the vessel had violated a blockade on Iranian ports and ignored warnings. July 12: Indian sailor missing after Iranian attack An Indian sailor went missing after Iran attacked the Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel GFS Galaxy near the Oman coast. The Oman Navy later rescued 10 Indian crew members from the vessel. July 14: Iranian missile strike kills Indian sailor on oil tanker The latest incident occurred when Iranian missiles struck two UAE-linked oil tankers — Mombasa B and Al Bahyah — while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. One Indian crew member aboard Mombasa was killed, while eight others were injured. Six injured crew members were Indian nationals, while two were Ukrainian nationals. Why Strait of Hormuz Has Become Dangerous For Indian sailors The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global energy supplies. Thousands of Indian sailors work on commercial vessels passing through the region, making them vulnerable as military tensions between the US and Iran escalate. For India, which has one of the world’s largest seafaring workforces, these deaths have raised concerns over the safety of its maritime workers caught in geopolitical conflicts far from home.
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