What Happened to the MT Marivex? A Tanker Attack and Its Aftermath

The MT Marivex, a Palau-flagged tanker, was attacked by the US Navy off the coast of Oman, resulting in a fire. All 24 Indian crew members were rescued thanks to coordinated efforts between the Indian embassy and Omani authorities. The vessel has been black-listed by the US for attempting to evade sanctions related to Iranian oil. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, particularly between Iran and Israel, as hostilities escalate. Read on for a detailed account of the events and the international response.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 9, 2026, 18:09 IST

Incident Overview

New Delhi: A tanker registered under the Palau flag, known as MT Marivex, was set ablaze following an attack by the US Navy near Oman. Fortunately, all 24 Indian crew members aboard were successfully rescued.

Reports indicate that the vessel attempted to bypass the US blockade aimed at Iranian ports on four separate occasions.

The tanker caught fire after being struck by a missile on Monday.

According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, the ship was rendered inoperable off the coast of Oman.

There was prior communication between the vessel and the US Navy before the missile strike, he added.

All crew members, who are Indian nationals, have been accounted for and rescued, he confirmed.

During a media briefing, Jaiswal expressed gratitude towards the Omani government for their assistance in the rescue operation, which was coordinated through the Indian embassy in Oman.

The vessel has been black-listed and sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a division of the US Treasury Department responsible for enforcing financial sanctions.

The OFAC targets vessels that breach US sanctions related to the trade of Iranian and Russian oil.

MT Marivex had previously attempted to evade the US blockade on three occasions, retreating after receiving multiple warnings from the US Navy.

In a separate statement, the Indian Coast Guard reported that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai worked closely with Omani authorities to facilitate the rescue of the crew following the missile attack.

At around 2:20 PM on Monday, the MRCC was alerted about the missile strike on the tanker while it was anchored near Masirah, Oman, through a relative of one of the crew members.

Recognizing the critical nature of the situation, the MRCC promptly contacted the Oman Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (OMSC) to take charge of the search mission and provide immediate assistance.

The OMSC organized the rescue operation by redirecting a nearby vessel and deploying two rescue helicopters to the scene.

This successful rescue operation underscores the importance of international maritime collaboration and the effective coordination between regional maritime rescue authorities.

The Indian Coast Guard manages the MRCC.

This incident occurs amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with Israel conducting airstrikes in western and central Iran following missile attacks from Iran targeting northern Israel.