India, June 11 -- 3 Indian seafarers have lost their lives after a US military strike targeted a Palau-flagged oil tanker near the coast of Oman, in a developing maritime incident linked to tensions over Iranian oil shipments. The fatalities were confirmed by India's Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal after the missing crew members were located and identified.

The vessel, identified as the MT Settebello, was carrying a 28-member crew, including 24 Indian nationals and four foreign nationals-two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian-when it came under attack in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week.

According to initial reports, 21 Indian crew members were safely rescued, while three remained unaccounted for following the strike. Tho...