The U.S. military hit a commercial ship in the Gulf of Oman, the U.S. military said Wednesday. Image courtesy of CENTCOM
June 10 (UPI) — The U.S. military said it disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday because the ship violated the U.S. Navy’s blockade.
The U.S. Central Command announced the kinetic action on Wednesday.
India announced that three Indian crew members were missing from the Palau-flagged ship, M/T Settebello. The Indian foreign ministry condemned the attack, saying that of 24 crew members, 21 have been rescued.
India’s Embassy in Oman was monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities in the search-and-rescue operation, the ministry said.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region,” the ministry said in a statement. “We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region.
“The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region in keeping with international law must be restored at the earliest,” the ministry added.
India has summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission to the nation, The Hill reported.
A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the engine room after the ship didn’t comply with directions from U.S. forces, CENTCOM said.
The ship, which was transporting oil from Iran, was about 600 feet long and about 106 feet wide, MarineTraffic.com said.
CENTCOM said the U.S. military has redirected 134 ships that complied with orders since the U.S. naval blockade since it began in April.
The military disabled an oil tanker on Monday, Palau-flagged M/T Marivex, which was traveling toward Iran after it said the ship was violating blockade, Centcom said.
The military has disabled eight non-compliant vessels and allowed 42 ships to pass through that were supporting humanitarian aid, Centcom reported.
