On June 10, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had neutralized the tanker M/T Setebello at 11:14 p.m. while it was navigating through the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM stated that the vessel was attempting to transport Iranian oil and had repeatedly failed to comply with U.S. directives.
U.S. aircraft targeted the engine room of the Setebello with precision munitions. CENTCOM also reported that it had attacked another Palau-flagged tanker, M/T Marivex, heading for Iran on June 8.
Since the initiation of the blockade against Iran on April 13, the U.S. military has neutralized eight vessels that did not comply with orders and turned back 134 others. Humanitarian aid vessels, numbering 42, were allowed passage.
According to the Indian government, there were 24 Indian crew members aboard the Setebello. Of those, 21 were rescued, while the three missing crew members were found deceased.
In response, India summoned the U.S. chargé d'affaires to its foreign ministry to express its protest. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing serious concern over the ongoing attacks on vessels in the region and called for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions.
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), condemned the strike on the Setebello, stating, "Any act that threatens the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping is strongly condemned." The IMO reported that it had confirmed 43 attacks on international vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters since February 28.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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