Can India protect its sailors in the Persian Gulf?

Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello carrying 24 Indian sailors was attacked by US forces off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. Three Indian crew members were killed in the strike | Photo credit: ANI

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On 12 June, after India summoned US Embassy representative Jason Meeks and lodged its “strong protest” against US missile attacks on merchant vessels with Indian crew members, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar that violations of the US blockade and “illegal transportation of Iranian oil” would not be tolerated. Recalling his discussion with Mr Rubio, Mr Jaishankar wrote on X: “I reiterated India’s strong protest against US Navy attacks in the Persian Gulf that killed three Indian sailors. Such deadly actions against commercial shipping are not justified.”

Published – 15 Jun 2026 08:30 IST