It is understood that there is a discrepancy between the stance of the Iranian diplomatic mission in India and that of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding the incident. Sources said the IRGC wants to levy a toll on all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. However, Indian authorities are not willing to accept any such demands.
The incident involving firing on two Indian ships — Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald — comes even as the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan, which sought refuge in India, remains docked at Kochi port. Around 120 of the 183 crew members have already been repatriated, while essential personnel remain to maintain the vessel. The ship had sought shelter after another Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, was torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine near Sri Lanka on March 4.
While there have been reports of the IRGC collecting tolls from ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian official said there is no question of India agreeing to such demands, adding that there will be consequences for the firing incident.
The two Indian vessels, both large crude oil tankers carrying millions of barrels, were fired upon by the Iranian Navy north of Oman on Saturday. They were forced to turn back while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran had earlier stated that countries not involved in the conflict with the US and Israel would not be targeted and had listed India among friendly nations.
Following the incident, New Delhi conveyed its strong displeasure to Tehran and warned that such actions would have consequences. Officials confirmed that there were no casualties, though one of the vessels sustained minor damage after a cabin window was shattered.
India has taken up the matter seriously, especially as IRIS Lavan continues to remain berthed in Kochi. Officials reiterated that India supports free and open navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and considers any threat to its commercial shipping unacceptable.
India is one of the largest users of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route located between Iran and Oman. Shipping data showed that Jag Arnav had departed from Al Jubail in Saudi Arabia and was headed to India, while Sanmar Herald was transporting crude oil from Iraq to India.
