Caught In The Crossfire: Why Indian Sailors In The Gulf Are Being Drawn Into US-Iran War

Last Updated:June 12, 2026, 12:28 IST

The deadliest incident involved MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged tanker that was attacked by US in the Gulf of Oman. Three Indian sailors were killed.

Three attacks in four days, three Indian seafarers dead, dozens more rescued. The latest crisis unfolding in the Gulf has placed India in an uncomfortable position. As the United States intensifies its maritime blockade against Iran-linked oil shipments, commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members have repeatedly found themselves in the crosshairs.

What began as a regional confrontation between US and Iran has now acquired an Indian dimension, forcing New Delhi to balance the safety of its citizens, energy security concerns and its growing strategic partnership with the US.

Read More: India On ‘Highest Alert’ Near Hormuz After US Strike Kills 3 Indian Seafarers: ‘Ready To Respond’

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces have struck three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members this week as part of an operation aimed at enforcing a blockade against Iranian oil exports. The vessels identified in reports include MT Marivex, MT Settebello and MT Jalveer.

The deadliest incident involved MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged tanker operating near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. Three Indian sailors were killed after the vessel was struck during a US interception operation. The deceased were identified as Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh, Deck Cadet Aditya Sharma and Fitter Shivanand Chaurashiya. More than 20 other crew members were rescued.

A day later came another shock. The US acknowledged attacking MT Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker carrying 20 Indian crew members. CENTCOM said a US aircraft fired two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles into the ship’s engine room after it allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to breach the blockade. All crew members were reported safe.

Why Is The US Attacking Commercial Ships?

The strikes are linked to a wider American campaign against Iran. Following the collapse of diplomatic efforts and renewed tensions with Tehran, Washington imposed a maritime blockade targeting Iranian oil exports.

The US argues that vessels transporting Iranian crude or refined products are helping finance Iran’s military and regional activities. CENTCOM says ships are repeatedly warned before force is used and that military action is taken only when vessels fail to comply with interception orders.

US officials claim that since the blockade began in April, multiple ships have been disabled and more than a hundred others redirected. American authorities allege that the targeted vessels were either transporting Iranian oil or attempting to circumvent blockade measures.

However, shipping companies linked to some of the vessels have disputed the US version of events. In the case of Settebello, the ship’s management reportedly denied involvement in Iranian oil transport and called for an independent international investigation.

Why Are Indian Sailors On These Ships?

India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of merchant seafarers. Indian officers, engineers and crew members serve on thousands of vessels owned, operated and registered across different countries. A tanker may be flagged in Palau, managed from Greece, insured in Europe and staffed largely by Indians.

As a result, Indian nationals are often present on ships operating in some of the world’s most volatile maritime zones. The Gulf, through which a significant portion of global oil trade passes, employs thousands of Indian seafarers at any given time. Reports indicate that more than 18,000 Indian sailors are currently in the Gulf region.

This means that even when India is not directly involved in a conflict, its citizens can become unintended victims of geopolitical confrontations.

India’s Rare Diplomatic Response

India’s reaction has been unusually sharp. After the attacks, India summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi and lodged what diplomats call a “demarche" – a formal diplomatic protest conveying a government’s serious concerns to another country. Such steps are not routine between strategic partners and signal that India considers the issue significant.

The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks, expressed concern over the loss of Indian lives and called for an immediate end to hostilities. Indian officials stressed that the safety of civilian seafarers must remain paramount regardless of broader geopolitical disputes.

The government has also directed maritime agencies to remain on high alert and coordinate with the Navy, the Ministry of External Affairs, shipping companies and international authorities to protect Indian maritime interests.

Will This Damage India-US Relations?

The current spate of attacks has created a serious point of friction. India and the United States today cooperate closely on defence, technology, trade, the Indo-Pacific strategy and countering shared security challenges. Both governments have invested heavily in building what they often describe as a comprehensive global strategic partnership. Yet the deaths of Indian citizens in a US military operation present a politically sensitive challenge for New Delhi.

India is unlikely to abandon its broader strategic engagement with Washington over a single issue. At the same time, it cannot afford to appear indifferent when Indian nationals are killed. This explains the government’s calibrated approach: a strong diplomatic protest, demands for accountability and enhanced protection measures, while avoiding any broader rupture in bilateral relations.

The coming days will likely see intensive diplomatic engagement behind closed doors as both sides attempt to prevent the maritime crisis from spilling over into the wider India-US relationship.

The attacks on Marivex, Settebello and Jalveer highlight a growing reality of global geopolitics: even conflicts in which India is not a participant can directly affect Indian citizens because of the country’s deep integration with global trade and shipping networks.

For India, the challenge now is to ensure that thousands of Indian seafarers working in one of the world’s most strategically contested regions do not become collateral damage in an escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran.

About the Author

Pragati Ratti

Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures...Read More

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