External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has officially conveyed India’s strong protest to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the recent deaths of three Indian mariners. This communication took place on June 12, 2026, and underscored India’s condemnation of the US Navy’s actions in the Gulf that resulted in the tragic incident. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated that such military actions against commercial shipping cannot be justified.

Incident Details Involving MT Settebello

The incident that prompted these diplomatic responses occurred when the commercial tanker MT Settebello, which had 24 Indian crew members on board, was reportedly attacked by US military forces. The strike followed accusations that the vessel violated a naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports. Consequently, three Indian sailors were confirmed deceased, while 21 others were successfully rescued.

In the aftermath of this event, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Jason Meeks, the US Charge d’Affaires, to express India’s serious concerns over repeated attacks on commercial vessels in the region. This diplomatic step was taken as it marks a significant escalation in maritime security issues affecting Indian nationals.

Further complicating matters, another incident was noted when a separate commercial vessel with 20 Indian crew members also came under assault in the same area shortly after the attack on MT Settebello. The situation has raised alarming concerns regarding the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the Gulf of Oman.

Efforts to Address the Situation

As part of the ongoing response to this critical situation, the MEA has identified the three Indian seafarers who lost their lives in the attack and is undertaking efforts to repatriate their mortal remains to India as swiftly as possible. This tragic development has deeply affected families and the wider maritime community.

Jaishankar, in his statements, highlighted the role of the US Navy, which is stationed in the region, in contributing to these deadly incidents. He provided clarity that the attacked vessels involved were foreign-flagged, raising further diplomatic and safety concerns regarding the conduct of military operations in contested maritime territories.

The recent events have spurred dialogues at multiple levels, with Indian authorities seeking reassurances and stronger measures to protect Indian maritime interests and personnel. The Ministry of External Affairs is keenly monitoring further developments to ensure the safety of Indian nationals working at sea.

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