Three Indian mariners aboard the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello were killed on Tuesday night when the United States Navy fired on the vessel for ignoring the U.S. blockade on Iran. As the Washington Examiner previously reported, the Navy fired precision strikes at the engine room of the Settebello to disable the vessel. The incident occurred as the U.S. conducted self-defense strikes against Iran for deploying a drone that took down a U.S. Army Apache helicopter on Monday.
Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s minister of ports, shipping, and waterways, announced the casualties in a social media post on X early Thursday morning.
“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello,” said Sonowal. “Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified.”
“This is a profound loss to our maritime family,” he added. “The Modi Govt stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin.”
Sonowal did not provide any information on why the ship ignored U.S. warnings and proceeded into the Gulf of Oman despite the blockade. Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command accused the Settebello of “attempting to transport oil from Iran” and violating the U.S. blockade in the region. Centcom announced in a press release that the Settebello disregarded U.S. orders to halt its travel before firing on the ship.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman,” read a release. “A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.”
The blockade enforcement on the Settebello is the eighth time Central Command utilized military force against “non-compliant” vessels in the region. Additionally, since the blockade went into effect on April 13, Central Command claimed it “redirected 134 ships that complied” and permitted 42 ships to transport humanitarian aid.