IRGC Fires on Indian Tankers in Strait of Hormuz, Closes Strait
UKMTO and CENTCOM have advised all commercial vessels to maintain a wide berth from Iranian territorial waters. The "completely open" status declared on April 17 is officially void.
Tensions spiked in the world's most critical oil chokepoint today after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy opened fire on at least one Indian-flagged supertanker, forcing multiple vessels to turn back just hours after Tehran had signaled the strait was open.
The incident involved the VLCC Sanmar Herald, an Indian-flagged very large crude carrier loaded with nearly 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil. A dramatic VHF radio recording captured the ship's crew pleading with IRGC forces:
“Sepah Navy! Motor Tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me clearance to go!! My name second on your list! You gave me clearance to go, you are FIRING now! Let me turn back!”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a tanker approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman was approached by two IRGC gunboats without prior VHF challenge, after which shots were fired. The crew and vessel remained safe, with no reports of serious damage or injuries. A second Indian-flagged vessel, the bulk carrier Jag Arnav (carrying urea bound for India), was also reported in the vicinity and forced to reverse course.
Maritime tracking data showed the Sanmar Herald and other India-bound ships, including state-owned tankers Desh Vaibhav and Desh Vibhor, abruptly turning westward after attempting to transit eastward. At least four Indian-flagged vessels reversed direction, while one other (Desh Garima) successfully crossed earlier. This brings the number of Indian vessels currently held in the Persian Gulf to around 14.
The firing occurred amid confusion over the strait's status. Iran had briefly declared the waterway “completely open” earlier in the day, only to reverse course and reimpose restrictions. The IRGC has asserted operational control, requiring explicit approvals for passage.
India reacted swiftly. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Iran's ambassador to New Delhi, Mohammad Fathali, to lodge a strong protest and demand immediate facilitation of safe passage for Indian ships.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri expressed "deep concern" and emphasized the safety of merchant mariners. India reminded Iran that it had previously facilitated safe passage and demanded an immediate resumption of that cooperation.
Iran's Justification: Tehran claims the "safety valve" has snapped shut because the United States failed to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports (specifically Kharg Island and Bandar Abbas), despite Iran’s brief reopening of the Strait.
No major casualties or oil spills have been reported, and the vessels appear to have sustained only minor effects (one account mentioned a broken window). The firing has already contributed to volatility in energy markets.