FLORIDA, June 11 — The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday confirmed that American forces struck the Guinea-Bissau-flagged oil tanker MT Jalveer in the Gulf of Oman, alleging that the vessel was attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of a U.S.-enforced blockade.
According to a CENTCOM statement, the tanker failed to comply with repeated instructions from U.S. forces. At approximately 11:20 p.m. ET on June 10, a U.S. aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel’s engine room to halt its movement.
“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,” the statement said.
The incident follows confirmation from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways that no casualties or injuries were reported aboard the vessel, which was carrying 20 Indian seafarers when smoke was detected following a fire in the engine room near Oman’s Shinas Port.
Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing on developments in West Asia, Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal said all crew members were safe and evacuation efforts had begun.
“On June 11, MT Jalveer, with 20 Indian seafarers on board, was reportedly involved in a maritime security incident near Shinas Port, Oman. All crew members are safe. As per the latest information, evacuation to Shinas Port has commenced. Six more crew members are to be evacuated,” Mangal said.
The strike marks the third commercial vessel targeted by U.S. forces in the Gulf of Oman this week. Earlier, the Palau-flagged tankers MT Marivex and MT Settebello were disabled after allegedly attempting to transport Iranian oil.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that three Indian seafarers killed in the attack on MT Settebello have been identified and efforts are underway to repatriate their remains.
During the briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the attacks were carried out by U.S. naval forces operating in the region.
“These attacks came from the U.S. Navy that is stationed there. As you would have seen in the various reports, as also in what was clarified through our statements and otherwise from this podium, the three ships that have been involved in the incidents are foreign-flagged,” Jaiswal said.
He added that two of the vessels were sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), while another had been categorized as a non-compliant ship.
“I also understand that two of them are OFAC-sanctioned ships and one of them is also in the category of a non-compliant ship,” he said.
CENTCOM stated that since the blockade began on April 13, U.S. forces have disabled nine non-compliant vessels, redirected 135 ships that complied with orders, and permitted 42 vessels carrying humanitarian assistance to continue transit.
“CENTCOM 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,” the statement said.
According to CENTCOM, the blockade is being enforced against vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas as part of broader efforts linked to ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending hostilities in West Asia.
The conflict, which escalated following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, has intensified regional tensions and heightened concerns over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global energy shipments. (ANI)
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