Agencies | New Delhi:
In a serious escalation of maritime tensions, two Indian-flagged vessels were forced to retreat from the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian gunboats reportedly opened fire near the crucial shipping corridor northeast of Oman.
The incident occurred shortly after Iran declared the strategic waterway closed and asserted control over the passage amid the ongoing United States naval blockade of its ports.
According to sources in the Directorate General of Shipping, both vessels managed to withdraw safely without sustaining damage, and no injuries were reported among crew members. “The safety of seafarers and vessels remains our top priority,” officials said.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Iranian Ambassador in New Delhi. During the meeting, India conveyed its deep concern over the firing and emphasized the importance of ensuring the անվտանգ passage of merchant vessels through the Strait.
The Foreign Secretary urged Iranian authorities to take immediate steps to facilitate the safe movement of India-bound ships, recalling Tehran’s earlier cooperation in ensuring maritime security in the region. The Iranian envoy assured that India’s concerns would be communicated to the relevant authorities in Tehran.
Sources indicated that the vessels came under fire while navigating the sensitive shipping lane, forcing them to alter course and return. One of the ships involved is reported to be a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), designed for transporting substantial volumes of crude oil across long distances.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy transit chokepoints, handling a significant portion of global oil shipments daily. Any disruption in the region has immediate implications for international energy markets and maritime security.
Meanwhile, according to reports, several vessels have resumed transit through the Strait following the partial lifting of a prolonged blockade. However, the security environment remains volatile, with the United States continuing to enforce restrictions on ships accessing Iranian ports.
The latest incident underscores the fragile situation in the region, where escalating geopolitical tensions continue to pose risks to global shipping and energy supply chains.
