Three Indian seafarers who were reported missing after a US military operation targeting an oil tanker near Oman have been confirmed dead, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Thursday.

The sailors were part of a 24-member Indian crew aboard the tanker Settebello, which was struck in the Gulf of Oman.

While 21 Indians were safely rescued following the incident, the fate of the remaining three had remained uncertain until the minister's confirmation.

The deaths come a day after the Ministry of External Affairs said rescue teams were searching for the missing crew members.

India's embassy in Muscat had been coordinating with local authorities as efforts continued in the aftermath of the attack.

The United States has defended its action, saying its forces carried out a targeted strike after the vessel allegedly failed to comply with instructions. American officials have also claimed the tanker was transporting Iranian oil at the time of the operation.

The incident has intensified concerns over the security of commercial shipping in the region, where geopolitical tensions have increasingly spilled into vital maritime routes.

The Gulf of Oman and the nearby Strait of Hormuz remain among the world's busiest waterways, handling a significant share of global energy shipments.

India had earlier condemned the attack on the commercial vessel and expressed concern over the growing number of incidents involving merchant ships.

New Delhi also called for restraint and urged all sides to pursue diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and safeguard civilian maritime traffic.

The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the risks faced by thousands of seafarers working aboard commercial vessels in conflict-prone waters, including a large number of Indian nationals employed across the global shipping industry.