Two Indian crude oil tankers came under fire while attempting to transit the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Government sources in India confirmed the incident occurred on Saturday (April 18), marking a sharp escalation in maritime tensions.
According to reports from NDTV, Iranian gunboats fired upon two Indian-flagged vessels. While no injuries were reported and the ships sustained no physical damage, both tankers were forced to retreat from the waterway, which is essential for global oil trade.
Vessels Targeted
The two ships involved have been identified as:
Following the attack, the Indian government summoned the Iranian Ambassador in Delhi to register a formal protest and express "deep concern." India has urged Iran to ensure the safe passage of all commercial vessels destined for its ports.
Retraction of Open-Seas Policy
The incident follows Iran’s decision on Saturday afternoon to re-impose a total blockade on the strait in response to the ongoing U.S. naval embargo. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the IRGC Navy stated:
"As long as ship movements to or from Iran remain under threat, the Strait of Hormuz will remain under strict control."
The IRGC Joint Military Command further justified the move by accusing the United States of engaging in "piracy and maritime theft" under the guise of an embargo.
Context: A Global Energy Chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz is responsible for the transit of nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG. The waterway has been a flashpoint since February 28, when Iran initially closed it following military escalations involving Israel and the United States.
While the strait was briefly reopened on Friday (April 17) following a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, that window of stability proved short-lived.
The renewed closure and subsequent firing on Indian vessels have sparked fresh fears of a global energy crisis and have placed the oil-reliant economies of the Gulf region on high alert.
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