US forces struck an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on June 9, disabling the vessel after it attempted to transport Iranian crude in defiance of the American maritime blockade. The M/T Settebello, a Palau-flagged tanker carrying 24 Indian seafarers, was hit with precision munitions targeting its engine room after the crew repeatedly ignored warnings from US military aircraft.
Three crew members are missing. Twenty-one others were rescued. The incident marks the second straight day of kinetic enforcement actions by US Central Command, and the eighth vessel disabled since the blockade took effect on April 13.
What happened in the Gulf of Oman
CENTCOM reported the strike occurred at approximately 11:14 p.m. EST. A US aircraft engaged the Settebello’s engine room after the tanker’s crew failed to comply with multiple warnings to change course. The 29-year-old vessel, registered under IMO number 9162916, was attempting to move oil out of Iran when it was intercepted.
The precision strike was designed to disable rather than destroy, targeting the ship’s propulsion system. Out of 24 Indian nationals crewing the tanker, three remain unaccounted for, and additional injuries have been reported among the survivors.
