Published Jun 11, 2026 | 10:48 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 11, 2026 | 10:48 PM
Asaduddin Owaisi. (X)
Synopsis: The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out a “precision” strike on the MT Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman transporting Iranian oil on Tuesday evening, claiming the crew failed to comply with instructions from US forces. The attack was part of an ongoing US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday, 11 June, took to X, to criticise the Union government for the loss of lives of Indian sailors after an attack on the oil tanker MT Settebello by US forces off the coast of Oman.
Manoj Yadav, general secretary of Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), identified the three dead as Aditya Sharma, deck cadet, Shivanand Chaurasiya, engine fitter, and Patnala Suresh, chief engineer.
The MP wrote on X: “The Modi government has repeatedly failed to protect the lives of Indians who are working as sailors and operating in international waters. This is the very first duty of the Indian government. It is sad and distressing that the prime minister has time for celebrations but not for condemning the US military for killing Indians.”
He further criticised, “Has India had a weaker government in its history? Russia continues to recruit Indians as soldiers who are killed but the government is helpless. The government doesn’t allow films to name China or depict the battle of Galwan. And now this with the Indian sailors in international waters. As a country, we deserve better than this.”
The Modi government @narendramodi has repeatedly failed to protect the lives of Indians who are working as sailors and operating in international waters. This is the very first duty of the Indian government. It is sad and distressing that the prime minister has time for…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 11, 2026
He also lashed out at US President Donald Trump. Condemning the military aggression in the region, he held the Trump administration’s “reckless” foreign policy responsible for the instability. “I condemn it; I absolutely condemn it. Donald Trump has become reckless; he is causing trouble for the entire nation and the world,” Owaisi told reporters in Hyderabad on Thursday afternoon.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On the death of three Indians sailors after the attack on commercial vessel Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz, AIMIM Chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, “I condemn it; I absolutely condemn it. Donald Trump has become reckless; he is causing… pic.twitter.com/5bHnqVaaiC
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2026
On Wednesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had issued a statement condemning the attack on the commercial vessel.
Jaiswal, on behalf of the Indian government, called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region in keeping with international law must be restored at the earliest,” he said in the statement.
The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out a “precision” strike on the MT Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman transporting Iranian oil on Tuesday evening, claiming the crew failed to comply with instructions from US forces.
The attack was part of an ongoing US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
