In a significant diplomatic development, India on Saturday (April 18) summoned Iranian Ambassador to New Delhi Mohammad Fathali after two Indian ships had to take a U-turn in the Strait of Hormuz following an incident of firing by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), official sources said.
Also read: How Iran conflict exposes deep cracks in Western alliance
They said New Delhi lodged a strong protest with the envoy.
MEA issues statement
In a statement, the MEA said the foreign secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier in the day involving two Indian-flagged ships in the strait.
Our statement regarding Iran ⬇️
🔗 pic.twitter.com/HwhqdNL9M8
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 18, 2026
“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 statement said, adding, “The foreign secretary urged the ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the strait.”
Ships try to cross Hormuz after Iran says it’s open
Several commercial vessels tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz after Iran on Friday (April 17) announced that it had opened the waterway for commercial traffic.
Tehran on Saturday said it has again closed the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that the US violated a certain understanding reached between the two sides.
A vessel tracker reported that two Indian vessels had to return following reports of gunfire from the IRGC. The vessels included an Indian-flagged super tanker, carrying two million barrels of Iraqi oil, it said.
A convoy of 14 India-bound ships halted
News agency PTI reported that a fleet of 14 ships bound for India, carrying crude oil and gas, was halted by the IRGC, which then opened fire at two of them as they navigated through the strait. This incident resulted in 13 of the ships redirecting to various locations within the Persian Gulf, according to official sources.
One of the two ships attacked had a shattered window pane, while the extent of damage to the second one remained unclear immediately, though it also retreated.
Also read: India’s exports fall 7.4 per cent, imports decline amid West Asia crisis
Nevertheless, another Indian-flagged ship, loaded with crude oil destined for the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, successfully traversed the Strait and is currently en route to India, according to the sources.
Two Iranian gunboats approached the targeted tanker and opened fire without prior warning. These gunboats neared the vessel 37 kilometres northeast of Oman, prompting other ships to abandon their crossings and return, the sources further said.
Jaishankar’s stress on ‘safe, unimpeded’ transit
Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed India’s strong commitment to “safe and unimpeded” transit passage of maritime shipping, even as he emphasised that attacks on merchant shipping are “completely unacceptable”.
Also read: Hormuz blockade could trigger global crisis, warns Vivek Katju
The diplomat said this in his remarks while participating in ‘AZEC (Asia Zero-Emission Community) Plus’ online meeting convened by Japan to discuss supply chain disruptions in the energy markets.
(With agency inputs)
Comments are closed.