A day after tensions flared in the Strait of Hormuz, more details have emerged about two Indian-flagged vessels that came under fire, triggering a swift diplomatic response from New Delhi.
This is the first reported instance of Iranian forces targeting Indian-flagged or Indian-owned merchant ships in the volatile waterway, even as several other Indian vessels have passed through the strait safely in recent weeks. The MT Desh Garima, for instance, crossed the route on Saturday afternoon en route to Mumbai, and at least nine vessels have transited without incident recently, with 13 more currently in the Persian Gulf.
The two ships involved in the incident have been identified by the shipping ministry as the Sanmar Herald, a crude oil tanker, and the Jag Arnav, a bulk carrier. Both vessels were navigating the Strait of Hormuz when they were reportedly fired upon by boats of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Following the incident, both ships turned back. No injuries were reported.
Shipping data indicates that the Sanmar Herald was carrying crude oil from Iraq to India, while the Jag Arnav had departed from Al Jubail in Saudi Arabia and was also headed towards India.
According to officials, the incident occurred in one of the world’s busiest and most sensitive maritime corridors. The UK Maritime Operations Centre reported that one of the tankers was approached by two IRGC gunboats without prior radio communication before shots were fired. The vessel and its crew remained safe.
In a separate but nearby incident, another ship was struck by an unidentified projectile that damaged some containers, though there was no fire or environmental impact. Sources indicated that both vessels involved in these incidents were Indian-flagged.
India responded quickly, summoning Iranian Ambassador Mohammed Fathali for a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. During the meeting, India conveyed its deep concern over the firing and stressed the importance of ensuring maritime safety in the region.
The Indian side also reminded Iran of its earlier role in facilitating the safe passage of India-bound ships and urged that such arrangements be restored at the earliest. The Iranian envoy assured that India’s concerns would be conveyed to authorities in Tehran.
The incidents come amid heightened regional tensions, as efforts continue to formalise a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has indicated that it will maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz until the conflict is fully resolved, while warning that continued US actions, including what it calls a blockade of Iranian ports, could be treated as violations of the ceasefire.
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