Anger has spilled onto the streets of Delhi following a US military strike in the Gulf of Oman that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors. Videos circulating on social media show auto-rickshaw drivers actively tearing down posters featuring US President Donald Trump, which were part of the US Embassy's "Freedom 250" campaign celebrating American Independence.
Protests Erupt in Delhi After Fatal Strike
The protests underscore a growing public outrage in India, sparked by the incident involving the Palau-flagged tanker, MT Settebello. The vessel was struck on Wednesday, June 14, 2026, in the Gulf of Oman, leading to the tragic loss of life and turning what was intended as a celebratory campaign into a focal point for discontent.
Details of the MT Settebello Incident
The MT Settebello had a crew of 24 Indian nationals on board when it was attacked. While 21 crew members were successfully rescued, three Indian sailors perished in the strike. India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways identified the deceased as Aditya Sharma, a cadet; Shivanand Chaurashiya, a fitter; and Patnala Suresh, a chief engineer. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that efforts were underway to repatriate the bodies of the three fallen sailors to India.
Conflicting Accounts of the Attack
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that one of its aircraft fired "precision munitions" into the tanker's engine room after the crew allegedly failed to comply with instructions. However, iOS Marine, the vessel's operator, has strongly disputed this account. The company asserted that, to their knowledge, no warning calls or communications were successfully established with the vessel prior to the attack. iOS Marine also rejected any claims linking the tanker to Iran or the transport of Iranian oil, emphasizing that the MT Settebello was a civilian merchant vessel engaged in legitimate commercial operations and had remained stationary for approximately ten days before the incident.
Escalating Tensions in the Gulf Region
This incident is not an isolated event in the volatile Gulf region. Just days prior, another Palau-flagged tanker, the MT Marivex, was struck by US forces in the Gulf, though all 24 Indian crew members were rescued before the vessel sank. On Thursday, a third vessel, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MT Jalveer, also came under attack near Oman's Shinas port, with all 20 crew members reported safe due to assistance from Omani authorities. While these vessels operate under foreign flags, a significant majority of their crews are Indian nationals.
Diplomatic Fallout and US Blockade
The deaths of the Indian sailors have also fueled diplomatic tensions. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reiterating India's "strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners" and stating that "such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified." In its readout of the call, the US State Department indicated that Rubio stressed that all commercial vessels must comply with orders from US forces upholding security in the Strait and that "violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated."
The US military has been enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, following Tehran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies pass. CENTCOM reports that since the blockade began, US forces have disabled eight vessels and redirected 134 others, highlighting the ongoing and dangerous situation in the region.
Risks for Indian Seafarers
The current situation remains tense, with both countries reportedly exchanging strikes for a second consecutive day, straining an already fragile ceasefire. The shipping ministry estimates that more than 18,000 Indian seafarers are working across the wider Gulf region, making them particularly vulnerable as they navigate these increasingly dangerous waters. The deaths of the three Indian sailors have become a significant flashpoint, drawing global attention to the severe risks faced by crew members caught in the middle of this escalating conflict.