Three Indian sailors have been confirmed dead following a series of US military strikes on vessels off the coast of Oman, marking the third such attack this week. The incidents involved the Palau-flagged MT Settebello and the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MT Jalveer, both carrying Indian crew members.

The MT Settebello, with 24 Indian seafarers on board, was struck on Wednesday. Three crew members initially reported missing were later confirmed dead. India's Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed deep sorrow and ordered immediate repatriation of the rescued crew and the remains of the deceased.

Indian media identified the deceased as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya, and Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh. India's foreign ministry summoned a senior US diplomat in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over the attack.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it disabled the MT Jalveer after it allegedly attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions. All 20 Indian crew members on board were reported safe and evacuated.

Analysts suggest the fragile ceasefire in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran is under strain, with both sides seeking to negotiate from a position of strength. The US regime is intensifying its blockade on Iranian oil exports, while Iran threatens to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: www.aljazeera.com