India Summons Iran Envoy, Demands Safe Passage After Firing on Two India-Flagged Oil Tankers in Hormuz
India on Saturday lodged a formal protest with Iran after two India-flagged ships came under fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, prompting New Delhi to summon Iran’s ambassador and demand immediate restoration of safe passage for Indian-bound vessels through the critical waterway.
 |
| Image Via: @Iran on X |
He recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated safe transit for India-bound vessels and urged Tehran “to resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait.”
The Iranian envoy, Mohammad Fathali, was called in by the Ministry of External Affairs and “undertook to convey these views to the Iranian authorities,” the statement said, indicating diplomatic engagement is ongoing following the incident.
The firing incident occurred as the India-flagged vessels Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav, carrying an estimated 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude, were passing through the Strait of Hormuz when gunshots were reported, forcing both ships to reverse course.
Officials confirmed that the vessels and crew were safe, though no further operational details were disclosed.
Maritime security assessments indicated that armed vessels linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were involved in the firing, while independent tracking data suggested that multiple commercial ships altered course amid the incident, highlighting the widening risk to global shipping in the region. Reports also indicated that additional merchant vessels, including Greek tankers, turned back earlier in the day.
The episode comes amid renewed volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy flows, after Iran moved to reimpose restrictions on maritime transit following a brief reopening.
Tehran has accused the United States of violating understandings tied to a recent ceasefire by maintaining its blockade on Iranian ports, even after Iran signalled a reopening of the route.
Shortly after announcing renewed restrictions, Iranian naval broadcasts warned that the strait was closed to vessels, contributing to confusion and heightened risk for shipping operators navigating the corridor.
The resulting uncertainty has led to erratic vessel movements, with tankers reversing course or delaying transit.
India’s protest reflects growing concern over the safety of its commercial fleet and energy supply chains, as the Strait remains a critical route for crude imports.
The incident underscores the fragile security environment in the Gulf, where overlapping military measures, competing claims over maritime control and unresolved geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.