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Taking a tough stance, India has summoned Iran’s ambassador after the alleged firing incident on two Indian-flagged merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has called Iran’s Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Fatahli and expressed deep concern over this incident and asked him to ensure the safety of Indian sailors and merchant ships.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in the meeting with the ambassador that Iran has been providing safe passage to Indian ships in the past and even now the access facility to Indian ships should be restored as soon as possible. The Iranian Ambassador has assured to convey India’s concerns to his government.

Iran has tightened its military control over the Strait of Hormuz, due to which two Indian-flagged ships, VLCC ‘Sanmar Herald’ and bulk carrier ‘Jag Arnav’, were stopped from crossing the strait. According to reports, the ‘Sanmar Herald’ was loaded with approximately two million barrels of crude oil, and it was targeted by gunboats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

During the incident the ship’s crew appealed in radio communications, “My name is second on your list! You gave me permission to go! Now you are firing! Let me turn back!” After this the ship had to return without any damage or casualties. At the same time, ‘Jag Arnav’, who had set out with urea for India, also had to stop midway.

A shipping industry official said, “Some of the ships stuck inside the Strait of Hormuz were trying to transit. There was some information that it was safe to do so. So, they were transiting. And then warning shots were fired, and the ships were ordered to turn back because the strait is closed.”

Earlier, ships with Indian crew named ‘Bhagya Lakshmi’ and ‘Desh Suraksha’ were also stopped by IRGC gunboats and sent back. These ships broadcast their identity of being ‘Indian ships with Indian crew’ through transponders, but were not allowed to transit.

However, another oil tanker named ‘Desh Garima’, owned by Shipping Corporation of India, managed to escape safely during the temporary opening of the strait.

It is noteworthy that Iran has recently toughened its stance regarding this strait. Speaker of Iran’s Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that if the US blockade of Iranian ports continues, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open. This waterway is considered extremely important for global oil supply. After the latest developments, tension has increased in the region and India has increased activity at the diplomatic level regarding the security of its ships.

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