Maritime Security & Diplomacy: India escalated its dispute with the US after a strike off Oman killed three Indian seafarers aboard the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar telling US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the attacks were “not justified” and demanding safeguards for civilian shipping; the US response stressed that violations of its Iran blockade and illicit Iranian oil transport “will not be tolerated,” and that commercial vessels must comply with US orders. Gulf Tensions & Shipping Risk: The US said it disabled multiple tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week, while families and shipping stakeholders face uncertainty over insurance and legal accountability as incidents ripple through maritime trade. US-Iran Deal Claims: Trump said a US-Iran agreement is set for signing Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately afterward, while Pakistan said the deal is “ready for signatures” and Iran urged caution on timing. India-US Talks at G7: Amid the fallout, White House officials confirmed PM Narendra Modi and Trump will meet June 17 on G7 sidelines in France, with a proposed trade deal expected to be a key agenda item. Palau-Relevant Economy & Governance: Palau’s Vice President Hsiao continued regional development visits, including fisheries and aquaculture work, while Palau Business Report readers also saw renewed attention on maritime and ocean policy themes. Conservation Science: A Palau rat-removal study on Ulong Island found faster-than-expected land-and-sea ecosystem recovery, adding momentum to restoration efforts.