All 20 Indian crew members of the tanker MT Jalveer were safely evacuated after U.S. forces disabled the vessel during a blockade enforcement operation in the Gulf of Oman. This incident marked the third such occurrence involving Indian seafarers within the week. The evacuation followed a tragedy just 48 hours earlier, where three Indian mariners were killed when U.S. forces disabled the tanker Settebello, marking a significant loss in relation to ongoing U.S. sanctions against Iran.
The U.S. Central Command reported that the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MT Jalveer was targeted after allegedly attempting to transport Iranian oil. U.S. aircraft fired missiles at the tanker’s engine room after the crew failed to comply with commands. Fortunately, the Indian Embassy in Muscat coordinated with Omani naval authorities to ensure all crew members were brought safely ashore without injuries.
This series of incidents has thrust Indian seafarers into the spotlight amid a rising maritime crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. Indian nationals constitute a significant portion of the global maritime workforce, often serving on tankers and cargo vessels in the region. The response of the Royal Navy of Oman in these emergencies has been pivotal in recent rescue operations.
The Jalveer operation highlights escalating concerns regarding the safety of civilian merchant crews amidst ongoing U.S. blockade activities. While the evacuation was successful, the prior week has seen both fatalities and multiple rescue operations, increasing apprehensions among governments and maritime organizations about the vulnerabilities faced by seafarers during such enforcement actions.
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