Live updates: US military says it fired on a tanker trying to transport oil from Iran

A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday evening, leaving three Indian seafarers missing after Oman rescued 21 others. The attack, part of Washington’s naval blockade of Iran, marks the latest escalation in a conflict that has already targeted Indian-flagged vessels twice this year, straining ties between New Delhi and its traditional ally.

The Strike and Its Immediate Fallout

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strike on the Settebello, a chemical/oil products tanker carrying Iranian oil, after the crew allegedly failed to comply with US instructions in the Gulf of Oman. According to CENTCOM, the vessel was disabled by a precision munition fired by the USS Abraham Lincoln’s Super Hornet, rendering it unable to proceed to an Iranian port. The attack follows a similar US operation on June 8, when another tanker, the Marivex, was struck for attempting to violate the blockade. Military Times reported that the US has disabled seven ships since imposing the blockade in mid-April, while over 100 vessels have complied with redirection orders.

Photo: Military Times

The incident unfolded after the Settebello reported an engine room fire 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s port of Sohar, prompting the Omani navy to respond to a distress call. British maritime risk management group Vanguard confirmed the rescue operation, which salvaged 21 Indian sailors, while three remain missing. India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the violence, summoning the US deputy chief of mission in New Delhi to protest the strike. In a statement, the ministry declared, “The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end.” The ministry also noted that its embassy in Oman is coordinating with local authorities for the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end.

India’s Escalating Protests and Diplomatic Tensions

India’s response to the strike reflects mounting frustration with US actions in the region. This is the third time since February 28—when the US-Israel war on Iran began—that Indian vessels have been targeted. Earlier this week, another attack on an Indian-flagged ship prompted New Delhi to summon the Iranian ambassador in April, though no direct retaliation was taken at the time. The latest incident, however, has pushed India to publicly challenge the US, with opposition parties demanding stronger action.

Photo: Al Jazeera

The US blockade, ordered by President Donald Trump in mid-April, aims to pressure Iran into accepting Washington’s terms for ending the war. While the blockade has reportedly reduced Iran’s oil exports, Tehran has shown no signs of capitulation. The incident has also reignited debates about the legality and ethics of the blockade, particularly its impact on neutral shipping and civilian lives. Al Jazeera reported that the strike has further damaged India-US ties, which experts describe as already at their lowest point in decades.

International Condemnation and the Broader Conflict

The US strike on the Settebello has drawn condemnation from multiple fronts. On Wednesday, the US, Britain, and 20 other nations issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Quds Force, and Ministry of Intelligence and Security for targeting dissidents, journalists, and Jewish/Israeli communities. The statement, backed by allies including Australia, Canada, France, and Germany, declared, “The Islamic Republic of Iran must halt these actions now.” AP News reported that the group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya was also named in the condemnation, though no direct link to the Gulf of Oman incident was established.

For more on this story, see Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Launches Strikes on Iran; Tehran Claims Attacks on U.S. Fleet.

The Islamic Republic of Iran must halt these actions now.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) also weighed in, with Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemning any act that endangers seafarers. Dominguez stated, “This is simply unacceptable. My thoughts are with the families of the three missing seafarers and with all those awaiting news of the crew members.” His remarks underscore the growing humanitarian crisis in the Gulf, where commercial shipping and civilian lives are increasingly caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions.

This is simply unacceptable. My thoughts are with the families of the three missing seafarers and with all those awaiting news of the crew members.

What Happens Next: Legal, Diplomatic, and Military Risks

The strike on the Settebello raises critical questions about the future of the US blockade and its legal standing. While the US frames its actions as necessary to enforce sanctions, critics argue that the blockade violates international law by restricting neutral shipping. The incident also risks further isolating the US among its allies, particularly as India and other nations grow increasingly wary of Washington’s unilateral actions in the region.

Diplomatically, India’s summoning of the US envoy signals a hardening stance, though New Delhi has historically avoided direct confrontation with Washington. The opposition’s pressure on the government to take a stronger position could force India to reconsider its traditionally pro-US foreign policy. Meanwhile, Iran’s refusal to engage with US demands suggests that the blockade may not achieve its intended outcome without broader international support—or further escalation.

Militarily, the strike on the Settebello could embolden Iran or its proxies to retaliate, either through direct attacks on US forces or by targeting commercial shipping in the Gulf. The US has already disabled seven vessels since imposing the blockade, but the humanitarian and economic costs of such actions are mounting. If the trend continues, the risk of miscalculation—or a broader conflict—will only increase.

A Timeline of Escalation: Key Dates in the US-Iran Conflict

• February 28, 2026: The US-Israel war on Iran begins, marking the start of direct military engagements.
• Mid-April 2026: President Trump orders a naval blockade of Iran, aiming to cut off oil exports and force negotiations.
• June 8, 2026: US forces strike the Marivex tanker in the Gulf of Oman for attempting to violate the blockade.
• June 10, 2026: The Settebello is attacked, leaving three Indian seafarers missing and sparking diplomatic protests from India.

The events of the past week underscore the volatile nature of the US-Iran conflict and its ripple effects on global shipping and diplomacy. With no signs of de-escalation, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the blockade achieves its goals—or whether it pushes the region closer to the brink.