Two Indian-flagged vessels were fired at by Iranian gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, sources said. No injuries or damage were reported, but both ships were forced to turn back after the incident northeast of Oman along a key global oil shipping route. One of the vessels involved is a very large crude carrier (VLCC), typically used for long-haul transport of crude oil.
Following the incident, New Delhi summoned the Iranian Ambassador, with the Ministry of External Affairs expected to issue a statement soon. The episode comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran's military operations reportedly facing coordination challenges amid ongoing conflict dynamics.
Earlier in the day, Iran said control of the Strait of Hormuz had "reverted to its previous state" in response to the continuing US naval blockade of its ports. This led to several commercial ships halting or avoiding passage through the vital waterway. A day earlier, Tehran had briefly declared the strait open following a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, but later announced renewed restrictions.
Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, had earlier said that Indian vessels would be allowed safe passage and that coordination with the Indian government was ongoing. He also indicated that Iran considers India among its friendly nations and that direct communication channels remain active.
Meanwhile, the Government of India said all Indian seafarers in the West Asia and Gulf region are safe, with no incidents involving Indian vessels reported in the past 24 hours. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has facilitated the repatriation of over 2,487 Indian seafarers so far, including 34 in the last 24 hours.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has put in place measures to ensure the safety of Indian vessels and uninterrupted maritime operations. It is working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders to safeguard seafarer welfare.
The government also said that port operations across India remain normal with no congestion reported. The MEA continues to monitor the situation and issue regular advisories regarding travel, local guidelines, and consular services for Indians in the region.
Evacuation efforts are ongoing, with the Indian Embassy in Tehran facilitating the movement of 2,373 Indian nationals from Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan for onward travel to India, including over 1,000 students and hundreds of fishermen.
Air travel continues where possible, with over 10.68 lakh passengers having travelled from the region to India since February 28. Limited flights are operating between the UAE and India, while services from Saudi Arabia and Oman also remain functional.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles nearly 20% of global oil and gas trade, remains volatile, with ongoing geopolitical tensions continuing to impact maritime movement and global energy supply routes.
