Two Indian-flagged vessels attacked in Strait of Hormuz

Two Indian-flagged vessels carrying crude oil were on Saturday attacked while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed in a statement.

Following the incident, Tehran’s ambassador to New Delhi, Mohammad Fathali, was called in for a meeting with India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. During the meeting, Misri conveyed India’s “deep concern” over the shooting incident involving the two vessels.

He urged the ambassador to convey India’s views to authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait.

India on Saturday also summoned the Iranian envoy and conveyed its strong protest after the two Indian-flagged vessels had to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following an incident of firing by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s “deep concern” at the shooting incident, the MEA said.

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”.

The Foreign Secretary stressed the importance India attaches to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners, and referred to earlier instances where Iran had facilitated safe passage for India-bound vessels.

He urged the Iranian side to resume efforts to ensure the safe movement of ships through the Strait at the earliest.

The Iranian Ambassador assured that India’s concerns would be conveyed to authorities in Tehran.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint that carries nearly a fifth of the world’s oil trade.

Recent days have seen increased military activity, with vessels facing restrictions and disruptions in movement, raising concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and the risk of further escalation.