Indian ships warned off Hormuz as Iran tightens grip amid US blockade
Two Indian-flagged ships were warned to stay away from the Strait of Hormuz after being fired upon by Iranian gunboats, sources told The Indian Express on Saturday, as Iran reasserted military control over the strategic waterway following a US-imposed maritime blockade.
Iranian state media and international reports provided accounts of the incident. Tasnim news agency reported that an Indian tanker was fired upon with warning shots to return after ignoring alerts from Iranian forces. TankerTrackers, an online service that tracks ships and tankers, reported that two vessels retreated and turned back from the Strait of Hormuz.
In an unconfirmed report, TankerTrackers stated that following a warning from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, two Indian-flagged vessels carrying Iraqi oil were forced to retreat and return to the western side of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Tasnim, shooting also occurred during the incident. One of the vessels is a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) flying the Indian flag and carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil.
According to The Indian Express, tensions in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz escalated sharply on Saturday after Iran reportedly opened fire on two merchant vessels attempting to transit the waterway, following its decision not to reopen the critical oil route. Two Indian vessels also have had to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following the gunfire, a vessel-tracker said.
The new strike comes a day after US President Donald Trump announced the continued, full-force naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said on Saturday the Islamic Republic will maintain control of all traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz until a negotiated end to the US-Israeli-imposed war is achieved.
New Delhi on Saturday summoned the Iranian envoy after the two Indian-flagged ships were fired at. Iran said it had reimposed military control over the strait after the US blocked its ports, effectively tightening its grip over a passage through which nearly a fifth of global oil consumption flows.
The US, through the United States Central Command, confirmed enforcing a complete maritime blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.
"US Central Command has initiated a full maritime interdiction effort targeting Iranian coastal operations. Vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian-controlled ports will be subject to inspection and possible denial of passage," CENTCOM said in a statement.
Following the move, at least 23 vessels reportedly reversed course, highlighting the immediate disruption to commercial shipping.
Another Indian oil tanker crosses Hormuz
Another report by the Times of India said that an Indian crude oil tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, even as tensions around the waterway remained high. Maritime traffic data showed that Desh Garima passed through the strait, becoming the 10th Indian vessel to cross Hormuz since the war between Iran and the United States began, and the second since the ceasefire that began last Wednesday.
According to the data, the tanker started its journey from Ras Laffan port in Qatar and is now in the Gulf of Oman after crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, an AFP report said at least eight oil and gas tankers crossed Hormuz on Saturday.