New Delhi: India has taken strict action after Iranian Revolutionary Guards opened fire on two Indian flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz. India summoned Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Fathali to the Ministry of External Affairs. This step has been taken due to serious concern regarding the security of Indian ships. The Iranian ambassador came to the ministry and returned to the embassy after the meeting. Meanwhile, India has lodged a formal protest over this incident and the Ministry of External Affairs has issued a statement.
What did the Foreign Ministry say in its statement?
The Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India issued a statement saying that the Iranian Ambassador present in New Delhi was called to meet the Foreign Secretary this evening. During the meeting, the Foreign Secretary expressed deep concern over the firing incident that took place today in the Strait of Hormuz, in which two Indian flagged ships were involved. He said that the safety of merchant ships and sailors is very important for India. It was also reminded that earlier Iran had helped in providing safe passage to many ships coming to India.
Reiterating his concern over this serious incident, the Foreign Secretary asked the Iranian Ambassador to convey India’s concerns to the government of his country and to resume the process of safe passage of ships coming to India as soon as possible. The Iranian ambassador assured that he will definitely convey India’s concerns to the officials of his country.
Many commercial ships were passing through Hormuz
The attack on Indian-flagged ships occurred when several commercial ships were trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had earlier announced the reopening of this sea route, but later said it was being closed again due to violations of the agreement by the US. According to reports, Iranian Revolutionary Guards gunboats fired on a tanker, while a container ship was also hit by projectiles, damaging some containers.
Both ships returned after firing
Amid the firing, two Indian-flagged ships, including a supertanker carrying Iraqi oil, were forced to divert course and return after the firing. Iran’s Joint Military Command has said the Strait of Hormuz is now under the ‘strict control’ of its armed forces. It has also been warned that as long as the sanctions imposed by the US on Iranian ports continue, the movement of ships through this route will remain limited.
Impact on global economy due to tension
Due to increasing tension between Iran and America, movement in Hormuz has been severely affected. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital sea route in the world, through which approximately one-fifth of the global oil supply passes. In such a situation, any kind of disruption here can have a major impact on the global energy supply and economy. Iran had initially opened the route briefly after a 10-day ceasefire, but the situation deteriorated again after the US announced the continuation of the blockade on Iranian ports.
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