The US military struck a Palau-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for the second time this week, causing three Indian crew members to go missing, while other crew have been rescued.
On Wednesday, 10 Jun 2026 GMT+7, the US Central Command (Centcom) posted on the platform X that US forces had disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, accusing the vessel of violating the US blockade by “attempting to transport oil out of Iran.”
Centcom's statement said US warplanes fired "precision-guided munitions" at the engine room of the Palau-flagged oil tanker named "Settebello" after the crew repeatedly ignored orders from US forces.
The Indian government stated that three Indian crew members are missing, while another 21 Indian crew have been rescued. It also emphasized that attacks targeting commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure in the region "must stop."
In addition, the Indian government summoned the US Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi for a meeting.
The US military has blocked access to various Iranian ports after Tehran ordered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This began after US and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 Feb, severely impacting global trade markets, especially oil.
US Central Command said that since the blockade began on 13 Apr, US forces have disabled eight vessels and rerouted another 134 ships.
Earlier this week, US forces attacked another Palau-flagged oil tanker with Indian crew, the “Marivex,” in the Gulf of Oman after it failed to comply with US orders. Indian authorities reported that all 24 crew members were rescued by Omani forces.
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Source:bbc