India Protests After Gunfire Targets Its Oil Tankers in Strait of Hormuz as Iran Stresses Strong Bilateral Ties – Obnews

India has raised diplomatic concerns with Iran after two India flagged oil tankers came under gunfire while passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, prompting New Delhi to summon Iran’s ambassador and seek assurances on the safety of its maritime traffic. The incident has added fresh tension to an already fragile regional security environment, although Iranian officials have emphasized that relations between the two countries remain strong.

The vessels involved, Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav, were transporting roughly two million barrels of Iraqi crude when they were reportedly fired upon by Iranian gunboats during their transit through the narrow shipping corridor. While both ships and their crews remained safe, the situation forced them to reverse course mid journey, disrupting operations and raising concerns about shipping security in one of the world’s most vital energy routes.

In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Iranian envoy Mohammad Fathali and urged Tehran to ensure the continued safe movement of India bound commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Officials in New Delhi also expressed concern over broader disruptions in maritime activity after reports suggested that several other tankers, including Greek vessels, also turned back following the gunfire incident.

Iran responded by reaffirming its commitment to maintaining stable relations with India. Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, the representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, described ties between the two countries as very strong and said he hoped the situation would be resolved peacefully. He emphasized that Iran does not seek conflict and expressed hope that all parties would work toward maintaining regional stability.

The episode unfolded shortly after Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, citing what it described as pressure linked to a United States blockade. The rapid shift from reopening the route to restricting access again has heightened uncertainty for global shipping markets and energy supply chains, especially for countries like India that depend heavily on oil imports passing through the corridor.