India Outraged as US Strike Claims Lives of Indian Sailors
WHO:
CNN - Three Indian seafarers were killed in a US strike.
CNN - India’s foreign ministry spokesperson is Randhir Jaiswal.
DW - Indian Shipping Minister is Sarbananda Sonowal.
CNN - Kanti Bajpai is a political scientist at India’s Centre for Social and Economic Progress.
CNN - Manoj Yadav is the general secretary of the Forward Seamen’s Union (FSUI).
CNN - The Indian National Congress is the opposition party in India.
WHAT:
CNN - The Indian government has urged Washington to halt strikes on shipping vessels, with Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating, “The attacks that are happening must stop.”
CNN - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet US President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 leaders’ summit in France next week.
CNN - The Indian National Congress stated that the deaths of the sailors represent a test of Modi’s diplomatic leverage, emphasizing that he cannot evade responsibility when the relationship fails to protect Indian lives.
CNN - The head of the International Maritime Organization condemned the US strike on the M/T Settebello.
CNN - The families of the deceased sailors are seeking answers regarding the circumstances of their loved ones' deaths, with Rajesh Sharma, the father of one victim, demanding, “I want to know what happened in his last moments.”
CNN - Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on X that the three Indians missing after the US strike were confirmed dead.
NY Post - The US Central Command reported that all 20 crew members of the Guinea-Bissau flagged M/T Jalveer were safe after the suspected US strike.
CNN - A US aircraft fired precision munitions into the engine room of the M/T Settebello, causing a fire and a large rescue operation.
CNN - The three Indian seafarers are the first confirmed casualties of a US strike in the blockade of Iranian ports.
DW - The Indian government lodged a formal protest against the US strike.
DW - The Indian government summoned a senior US diplomat to express its concerns.
CNN - 28 seafarers were onboard the Settebello, most of whom were Indian nationals.
CNN - Another 24 Indian sailors were rescued from the M/T Marivex after it was struck by US forces.
CNN - US forces fired missiles into the engine room of the M/T Jalveer for attempting to transport Iranian oil.
WHERE:
CNN - The incident occurred in the Sea of Oman.
DW - The M/T Settebello is a Palau-flagged vessel.
WHEN:
CNN - The attack on the M/T Settebello occurred on a Wednesday morning.
DW - The Indian government summoned a US diplomat on Thursday.
WHY:
CNN - The US military stated the attack was due to the crew's failure to comply with instructions while enforcing a blockade.
DW - The Indian government expressed concerns over the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region.
HOW:
CNN - The US aircraft used precision munitions to strike the M/T Settebello.
DW - The US Central Command indicated that warnings were issued to the crew before the strike.
(UPDATED June 12, 2026 16:04 UTC)
The Indian government has called on Washington to stop strikes on shipping vessels, with Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that "the attacks that are happening must stop." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet with President Trump next week during the G7 leaders’ summit in France, as the Indian National Congress emphasizes that the recent deaths of sailors are a critical test of Modi’s diplomatic leverage. Meanwhile, Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths of three Indians who were missing after a US strike, while the families of the deceased are seeking answers about their loved ones' final moments.
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(UPDATED June 12, 2026 12:08 UTC)
In a tragic incident in the Sea of Oman, a US aircraft fired precision munitions into the engine room of the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello, resulting in the deaths of three Indian seafarers, marking them as the first confirmed casualties of a US strike during the blockade of Iranian ports. The Indian government has lodged a formal protest against the attack, expressing concerns over the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure, and summoned a senior US diplomat to address these issues. Additionally, 28 seafarers were onboard the Settebello, with most being Indian nationals, while another 24 Indian sailors were rescued from the M/T Marivex after it was also struck by US forces.