"Just think about how many of our people are dying": Asaduddin Owaisi blasts US military over strike on MT Settebello
Hyderabad, June 11
AIMIM Chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday lashed out at US President Donald Trump following the deaths of three Indian sailors in an attack on the commercial vessel Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz.
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 this afternoon.
Highlighting the human cost of the escalating tensions in West Asia, the AIMIM leader questioned the oversight of United States Central Command military operations in the region. "Just think about how many of our people are dying. They are attacking our ships. Doesn't CENTCOM know how many vessels are operating there?" Owaisi said emphasising that the aggressive posturing is directly endangering the lives of Indian seafarers.
The MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged oil tanker, came under fire on June 10 amid a blockade aimed at Iranian oil transit. While 21 Indian crew members were rescued in an operation coordinated with Omani authorities, the Ministry of Shipping confirmed today that the three remaining sailors, who were initially reported missing, had perished in the strike. Expressing deep concern over the geopolitical fallout, Owaisi warned that the entire region is being pushed toward unprecedented instability.
"The entire region is affected. This is not just a localised conflict; it is causing immense suffering and economic distress that will impact us all," he added.
Earlier, the family of Indian seafarer Aditya Sharma, a native of Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, was left shattered after he was confirmed dead following the attack on MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz.
A total of 24 Indian crew members were onboard MT Settebello, and officials confirmed that 21 were rescued, while three died in the alleged US attack.
Aditya Sharma was serving as a deck cadet on the vessel.
His family members broke into tears while speaking to reporters. They have demanded an inquiry into the incident and sought the seafarer's mortal remains.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is heartbreaking. Three families destroyed because of someone else's war. India needs to stand up and demand accountability from the US. Our sailors are not collateral damage. The government should bring back the bodies and ensure compensation for the families. 🇮🇳🙏
While I agree with Owaisi's condemnation, we also need to ask why our ships are sailing through such dangerous waters without proper protection. The government should be more proactive in ensuring the safety of Indian seafarers. We cannot just rely on others to keep our people safe. 🤔
This is the price we pay for being caught in the crossfire of superpower rivalries. The whole Middle East is a tinderbox, and ordinary people are suffering. I pray for the departed souls and hope their families get justice. It's time India plays a more assertive role in global peace efforts. 🕊️
Owaisi is right to call out the US, but let's not forget that Iran also has a role in this. The whole region is a mess. We need to bring our people home and rethink our maritime strategy. How many more lives will be lost before someone takes responsibility? 🤦♂️
My heart goes out to Aditya Sharma's family. Imagine sending your son to work, thinking he'll come back, and then hearing this news. 😢 The government must do everything possible to bring his body back and support the family. This should be a wake-up call for all of us.
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