Current Affairs
First Seafarer Casualties Reported in U.S. Iran Blockade Enforcement Campaign
At least two crew members were reported missing and one injured after U.S. forces disabled the Palau-flagged tanker M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on June 9, marking the first reported seafarer casualties of Washington's maritime blockade of Iran. India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed 21 Indian seafarers were rescued while three remained missing. CENTCOM stated U.S. forces have now disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships, and allowed 42 humanitarian vessels to proceed since blockade operations began on April 13.
