Three missing crew members have been found dead after the US military attacked a tanker in the Gulf of Oman, Indian officials said on Thursday.
"Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified," Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on X.
The US CENTCOM regional command said on Wednesday that it had fired at the Settebello vessel, which was sailing under the flag of Palau, after the crew defied instructions.
The ship is suspected of having attempted to transport Iranian oil, it said.
The UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had previously reported that a fire broke out in the engine room of a tanker off the coast of Oman. It said the crew was evacuated. Initial reports suggested two people were missing and one person was killed following the attack.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs later said in a statement that three Indian crew members from the Settebello were missing, with the remaining 21 having been rescued.
According to The Hindu newspaper and other Indian media, the ministry summoned the US deputy ambassador in New Delhi in protest.
The United States has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in response to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Since mid-April, eight ships have now been rendered unable to manoeuvre, according to US figures.
