New Delhi, Apr 18: In a startling development, the Iranian Navy today fired upon and forced two Indian ships, carrying oil from Iraq, to turn back in the Strait of Hormuz.
The two vessels were identified as ‘Jag Arnav’ and ‘Sanmar Herald’.
In the evening, Iranian Ambassador to India was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to lodge a protest over the aggressive incident.
“Two Indian vessels were forced back west out of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran’s Navy. Firing was involved,” reported the Islamic Republic of of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
“One of the vessels is an Indian-flagged VLCC supertanker carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil,” it added.
The Strait of Hormuz, flanked by Iran and Oman, is an extremely critical maritime corridor for movement of around 20% of the global crude shipments.
The Ambassador of Iran in New Delhi was “called in by the Ministry of External Affairs for a meeting with Foreign Secretary this evening.
“During the meeting, Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
“He noted the importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners and recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India.
“Reiterating his concern at this serious incident of firing on merchant ships, Foreign Secretary urged the Ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
“The Ambassador of Iran undertook to convey these views to the Iranian authorities,” it added.
India, which depends heavily on oil and gas imports from the West Asian nations, is among the countries with the highest number of vessels passing through the strait.
The attack came hours after Iran announced closure of the Strait again following fresh threats by US President Donald Trump to “start bombing again”.
“Iran agreed to allow a limited number of ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz according to agreements. But the US did not fulfil its obligations. So, the Strait of Hormuz is now closed again and passage requires Iran’s approval,” the Iranian military said.
