US confirms third strike this week on Indian-crewed tanker off Oman

By Jonathan Saul and Nidhi VermaLONDON/NEW DELHI, June 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. jet fired two missiles into the engine room of the tanker Jalveer off Oman on Thursday, U.S. Central Command confirmed, as authorities said the 20 crew members were safe after the third strike on Indian-crewed tankers this week.Three Indian sailors died in a U.S. strike on the Settebello tanker off Oman a day earlier.

India evacuates crew after tanker fire off Oman India’s shipping ministry says the crew of the asphalt tanker Jalveer is being evacuated after a fire broke out aboard the vessel off the coast of Oman. The incident occurred near the port of Shinas after a blaze erupted around the ship’s engine room and funnel, according to maritime risk management company Vanguard. Indian officials said the evacuation was being carried out in coordination with the Royal Navy of Oman. The development follows two other incidents involving Indian-crewed vessels in the region this week. Three Indian sailors were killed in a strike on the tanker Settebello off Oman a day earlier, according to Indian authorities. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Jalveer was attacked by the US Navy. Maritime security company Ambrey said the cause of a fire on the Jalveer had not been disclosed but suggested it was likely linked to US operations enforcing its blockade on Iranian ports. There has been no immediate comment from US Central Command. 

The US military on Thursday confirmed that it had disabled a third oil tanker in the Gulf ‌of ⁠Oman overnight ⁠as it was trying to move Iranian oil through an American blockade, saying it was the third commercial ship disabled ⁠by US ‌forces this week. The vessel had 20 Indian seafarers on board, the country's shipping ministry informed following the attack."U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) ⁠acted against Guinea-Bissau flagged M/T Jalveer as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired ‌two Hellfire missiles into the ship's engine room after ⁠the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces," U.S. Central Command said in a statement.CENTCOM cliamed that forces have disabled nine non-compliant vessels, redirected 135 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13.Also read: MEA flags growing threat to shipping as MT Jalveer crew evacuation beginsIndia expresses concerns on continuing attacks on shippingIndia's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over continuing attacks on shipping in West Asia, calling them "deeply worrisome", as evacuation of Indian crew members from the vessel MT Jalveer commenced following a maritime security incident near Oman."There have been several incidents involving Indian seafarers in West Asia in the last few days. We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafarers' community. We need not re-emphasise this point...The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region. These attacks must cease and end. We also call for dialogue and diplomacy so that we can have an early return to peace and stability in the region," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.Jaiswal's comments comments came after the Guinea-Bissau-flagged bitumen tanker, MT Jalveer, was involved in a maritime security incident in the vicinity of Shinas port in Oman.According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the vessel had 20 Indian seafarers on board and all of them are safe. No casualties or injuries have been reported so far.Additional Secretary in the ministry, Mukesh Mangal, said evacuation of the crew to Shinas port had begun."On 11th June, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel, a bitumen tanker MT Jalveer, was reportedly involved in a maritime security incident in the vicinity of Shinas port, Oman. The vessel has 20 Indian seafarers on board, and all of them are reported to be safe. No casualties or injuries have been reported. As per the latest information, the evacuation of crew members to Shinas port has commenced. Six more are to be evacuated. The Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and is in continuous coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions abroad and the Indian Navy and other relevant stakeholders," Mangal said.

Third suspected US strike this week hits Indian-crewed tanker off Oman India's shipping ministry said all 20 Indian crew members were safe after a new suspected US strike on the asphalt tanker Jalveer off Oman on Thursday, following two similar strikes involving Indian crews in the region this week. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged Jalveer sent a distress call while off Oman's port of Shinas after a fire broke out around its engine room and funnel, British maritime risk management company Vanguard said. An Indian shipping ministry official said the crew were being evacuated in coordination with the Royal Navy of Oman. The ship was attacked by the US Navy, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters. "The cause of the fire has not been disclosed; however, ...this was likely the result of U.S. operations to blockade Iranian ports," British maritime security company Ambrey said. US Centcom was not available for immediate comment on the incident. If confirmed, it would be the third Indian-crewed tanker hit by US forces this week after the Marivex oil tanker was disabled using precision munitions on Monday. Three Indian sailors were reported to have died in a US strike on the Settebello tanker off Oman that occurred on Tuesday.