The US military has confirmed firing two Hellfire missiles into the engine room of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman.This incident marks the third commercial ship crewed by Indian nationals to be disabled by American forces in a single week, severely escalating diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Washington.
Details of the MT Jalveer Strike
According to a statement released by US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strike was executed after the vessel allegedly attempted to bypass an ongoing American maritime blockade against Iran.
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The Strike: At approximately 11:20 PM ET on June 10 (around 11:00 AM IST on June 11), a US military aircraft targeted the vessel’s engine room with two Hellfire missiles to permanently disable its propulsion.
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The Justification: CENTCOM stated that the action was taken after the ship’s bridge repeatedly ignored and failed to comply with radio directions from patrolling US naval forces. The vessel had previously received warning shots from US aircraft on May 15.
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Crew Status: The vessel carried 20 Indian seafarers. Following the attack, which knocked out the ship’s communications systems, a joint rescue effort coordinated by the Indian Embassy in Muscat and the Royal Navy of Oman successfully evacuated all 20 crew members ashore to Shinas Port. No injuries or casualties were reported aboard the Jalveer.
Three Strikes in One Week
The blockade, which the US initiated on April 13, 2026, following the outbreak of hostilities with Iran on February 28, has heavily impacted Indian merchant mariners working on foreign-flagged vessels.
The strike on MT Jalveer follows two prior disablement operations by the US Navy in the same week:
| Date | Vessel Name | Flag State | Indian Crew Status | Outcome |
| June 8 | MT Marivex | Palau | Multiple Indian Nationals | Disabled by US Navy forces for blockade non-compliance. |
| June 10 | MT Settebello | Palau | 24 Indians (out of 28 total crew) | Disabled by US forces. Three Indian seafarers were killed during the strike. |
| June 11 | MT Jalveer | Guinea-Bissau | 20 Indians | Disabled via Hellfire missiles. All 20 crew safely evacuated to Oman. |
CENTCOM Blockade Statistics: Since April 13, 2026, US forces have disabled 9 non-compliant vessels, redirected 135 ships, and permitted 42 humanitarian aid vessels to pass through the regional choke point.
India’s Strong Diplomatic Protest
The loss of three Indian lives aboard the MT Settebello and the successive strike on the MT Jalveer have sparked sharp condemnation from New Delhi.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a stern statement, noting that India has officially summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) in New Delhi to lodge a formal and vehement protest.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafarers’ community. These attacks must cease and end immediately.”
— Randhir Jaiswal, MEA Spokesperson
Indian maritime authorities clarified that while the crew members are Indian nationals, the targeted ships are foreign-flagged, and at least two of the vessels targeted this week were operating under existing financial sanctions imposed by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
