Image for representation purposes only India is on ‘highest’ alert to protect seafarer lives in the Middle East, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a statement, a few hours after the deaths of three missing seafarers were confirmed following the identification of their bodies. The Indian Government said that it is closely monitoring the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf to support Indian seafarers and prevent more lives from being lost. India is in contact with the maritime administrations of friendly nations and shipping companies, the statement read. The three sailors killed in the third attack this week on a commercial vessel with an Indian crew were identified as Patnala Suresh (44), Aditya Sharma (23) and Shivanand Chaurasia (38). They were killed when the Palau-flagged MT Settebello was attacked by U.S. forces on claims that the ship carried Iranian oil and refused to pay heed to warnings, both claims denied by the ship’s operator, which has also issued a strongly worded public statement against the attack. Seafarers in the Middle East onboard Indian and Foreign-flagged ships have been advised to exercise caution and report to the authorities in case anything happens. Vessel operators, ship managers and shipping companies have been ordered to maintain maritime protocol and ensure the safety of sailors. The Indian Government has also started 24/7 communication channels for seafarers where they can register complaints or report in case their vessel comes under attack. Amidst continued attacks on tankers, Trump praised U.S forces for successful strikes on ships that he claimed carried Iranian oil and evaded sanctions. According to CENTCOM, 9 ships have been disabled and 135 redirected, while 42 carrying humanitarian aid were allowed to pass through.