The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday thanked Omani authorities for their support in the timely rescue of 24 Indian sailors after the United States military disabled an unladen oil tanker operating
near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The MT Marivex, a Palau-flagged vessel, was operating in waters close to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz when it was hit by a projectile off the Omani coast. Authorities said the crew was evacuated as a precautionary measure after the fire was reported on board.
All 24 Indian crew members were safely evacuated by the Indian Navy with the help of Omani authorities. Indian authorities have confirmed that they remain in touch with the crew and local agencies to ensure the welfare of the seafarers.
“The ship MT Marivex was disabled off the coast of Oman. We have learnt that it is a Palau-flagged vessel. We also understand that there was some exchange of communication between the ship and the US Navy before the incident,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a media briefing.
VIDEO | Delhi: On the attack on a Palau-flagged vessel near the Oman coast carrying 24 Indian crew members, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) says, “A vessel named ‘MT Marivex’ was disabled near the coast of Oman. We understand that the ship was operating under the… pic.twitter.com/cHOzLt6eGM
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 9, 2026
The ministry said all Indian nationals were rescued, and the Indian embassy had coordinated with Omani authorities for their rescue. “We thank the Oman government for their support in rescuing the crew and ensuring their safety. Our Mission continues to be in touch with the seafarers,” Jaiswal said.
US Acknowledges Strike On Vessel
Meanwhile, the US military confirmed the strike on the oil tanker carrying 24 Indian crew members aboard, saying it attempted to sail to an Iranian port in violation of an ongoing naval blockade against Iran.
In a statement, the US Central Command said it disabled an unladen oil tanker after the vessel violated the ongoing blockade against Iran by attempting to sail to an Iranian port.
“An F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) fired a precision munition into the ship’s engineering and steering spaces after the crew failed to comply with directions from US forces. Marivex is no longer sailing to Iran,” it said.
The incident came amid broader tensions in the region, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
