US Admits Attack On Third Gulf Tanker
The United States has admitted that its forces disabled a third commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman, with the latest incident involving a vessel that reportedly had Indian crew members on board.
US Attack On Tanker In Gulf Of Oman
US Central Command said American forces disabled the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker M/T Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman on June 10. According to the US military, the vessel was allegedly attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of an American-imposed blockade.
CENTCOM said a US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with instructions. The strike marked another escalation in the growing maritime crisis near the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian Crew On Gulf Tanker
The vessel reportedly had Indian crew members on board at the time of the attack. The latest incident follows earlier attacks on other tankers with Indian seafarers in the region, raising serious concerns over crew safety.
India has strongly condemned attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers and has urged an immediate end to actions that put civilian maritime workers at risk. New Delhi has also stressed that the safety of Indian nationals working at sea must be protected.
Strait Of Hormuz Shipping Tensions
The Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz remain critical routes for global oil movement. Any attack on commercial shipping in the area can affect energy supply, insurance costs and regional stability.
The US has said its actions are linked to enforcement of restrictions on Iranian oil movement. However, repeated strikes on commercial vessels have increased diplomatic pressure as concerns grow over the safety of civilian crews and the wider impact on global shipping.
