'2 hellfire missiles into engine room': US admits striking third ship with Indian crew near Oman

US confirms strike on MT Jalveer

In a post on X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it targeted the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated instructions from American forces.

"U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) acted against M/T Jalveer as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the ship's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces," CENTCOM said.

The US military claimed it has disabled nine vessels, redirected 135 ships and allowed 42 humanitarian aid vessels to pass since launching its blockade operations on April 13.

Crew rescued after attack

According to Iran's Mehr news agency, five of the vessel's 20 crew members were rescued by passing ships and taken to Oman after the attack.

The condition of the remaining crew members was not immediately clear.

India calls attacks 'deeply worrisome'

Reacting to the recent incidents, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was deeply concerned about the safety of its seafarers.

"There have been several incidents involving Indian seafarers in West Asia in the last few days. We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafarers' community," he said.

Jaiswal also revealed that India had summoned the US Chargé d'Affaires and registered a strong protest following an earlier attack in which three Indian nationals lost their lives.

"We expect the US to take due note of our protest," he added.

Third ship with Indian crew targeted this week

MT Jalveer is the third vessel carrying Indian crew members to be caught in the escalating maritime conflict near Oman.

Earlier this week, three Indian sailors were reported missing after the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello was attacked by US forces.

On Monday, another tanker, MT Marivex, carrying 24 Indian seafarers, caught fire south of the Strait of Hormuz following an attack.

The back-to-back incidents have heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping routes in the Gulf, where tensions continue to escalate amid the US-Iran confrontation.