Following a fatal US military strike that killed three Indian seafarers aboard a commercial oil tanker near Oman, New Delhi has lodged a fierce official protest raising critical global questions about civilian protections under maritime law

A high-stakes military strike by the United States Navy off the coast of Oman has ignited a major diplomatic standoff between Washington and New Delhi. The incident involved a commercial oil tanker staffed by Indian seafarers resulting in three confirmed deaths. As India registers a fierce official protest, there may be a lingering question if this deadly attack on a third-party merchant ship amount to an act of war?

To understand the situation, we have to look closely at what happened in the waters of West Asia, why the US opened fire and how maritime law defines military actions against civilian vessels.

What happened off the coast of Oman?

The incident took place in the volatile waters near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for global oil transportation. The Palau-flagged merchant tanker, MT Settebello, which was carrying an all-Indian crew of 24 members, was intercepted by American naval forces.