Three Indian sailors missing after US says it hit tanker in Gulf of Oman

June 10, 2026

The US military has attacked and disabled two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, including the Palau-flagged Settebello, as part of enforcement actions against vessels allegedly attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of an American blockade. The strikes on both ships, which carried Indian crews, resulted in three missing Indian sailors and prompted India to summon a US diplomat to protest the targeting of commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure. Since implementing the blockade on April 13, US forces have disabled eight ships and redirected 134 others after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

Who is affected

Three missing Indian sailors from the Settebello
21 rescued Indian crew members from the Settebello
24 rescued Indian crew members from the Marivex (attacked earlier this week)
India's government
Iran and its oil transport operations
The US military and diplomatic mission in Delhi
Countries relying on oil and gas transported through the Strait of Hormuz (20% of world's supplies)
Lebanon (drawn into the conflict)
Israel and US-allied Gulf states

What action is being taken

US military forces are enforcing a blockade against Iranian oil transport
US aircraft are firing precision munitions at non-compliant vessels
The Omani military is conducting rescue operations
India is summoning US diplomatic officials
US and Iranian forces are conducting military strikes against each other

Why it matters

This matters because it represents a significant escalation in the US-Iran conflict that threatens global energy security, as the blockade and closure of the Strait of Hormuz affects 20% of the world's oil and gas supplies. The military actions against commercial vessels with civilian crews are creating diplomatic tensions between the US and India, a key regional partner, while the broader conflict that began with the killing of Iran's supreme leader continues to expand throughout the Middle East. The attacks on civilian commercial shipping raise serious concerns about international maritime law and the safety of neutral parties caught in the crossfire of this conflict.

What's next

President Trump has threatened to hit Iran "hard" if Tehran does not sign a peace deal more quickly, indicating potential further military escalation. However, beyond this threat, no explicit next steps stated in the article.

Read full article from source: BBC