New Delhi. India has taken the incident of firing by Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) troops on two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz very seriously. This incident occurred on April 18. The government took immediate diplomatic action, summoning the Iranian ambassador and registering its strong protest over this incident. Around 14 Indian ships are still stranded in Hormuz, and India has intensified efforts to safely evacuate them. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has deployed 7 warships and started escorting the ships.
Diplomatic Response and India’s Stance
Following the firing incident, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the Iranian envoy and expressed India’s deep concern. He clearly stressed the need to ensure the safety of Indian ships transiting the area. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that India has taken swift action through diplomatic channels. He said, “We are in constant touch with Iranian authorities regarding the safety of Indian ships and are striving to ensure their safe passage.”
The firing appears to be the result of a “communication gap” between Iranian authorities and the local IRGC unit. Fortunately, the ships did not suffer any major structural damage. Some glass was reportedly broken during the incident.
UKMTO report and details of the attacks
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also mentioned the incident in its report. According to the report, a total of three ships were targeted on April 18, two of which were Indian.
Incident 1: Two Iranian military gunboats approached an Indian-flagged oil tanker and opened fire without prior warning or radio contact. Fortunately, the crew escaped unharmed.
Second incident: Shortly after, another Indian supertanker was targeted off the coast of Oman. An unidentified projectile reportedly struck the vessel, raising serious questions about the safety of merchant ships in this vital sea route.
Amid this serious incident, the Indian Navy has deployed seven warships to the area. An advisory has been issued to stranded ships to stay away from Larak Island and proceed only with permission. The Navy is escorting the ships.
The current situation and the presence of Indian ships
remain extremely sensitive at this time. At least 14 Indian-flagged vessels remain anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, including three large oil tankers and one LPG carrier. India has already safely evacuated 10 Indian LPG and oil tankers from the region since tensions escalated in the Middle East on February 28. Efforts are now underway to ensure the safe return of the remaining 14 ships. A large number of Indian citizens are also present in Iran, and ensuring their safety is New Delhi’s top priority.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. India is continuously exerting diplomatic pressure on Iran to prevent any such incidents in the future and to guarantee the safe passage of Indian ships.
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