Indian Vessels Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz, Crew Safe

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Apr 19, 2026: Two Indian-flagged vessels came under fire from Iranian gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, prompting strong concern from India over maritime safety in the region.

Officials said the ships — Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald — were targeted northeast of Oman in a key global oil shipping route. No injuries or damage were reported, but both vessels were forced to turn back following the incident. One of the ships is a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), typically used for long-haul crude transport.

In response, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador and conveyed India’s “deep concern” over the firing. The Foreign Secretary emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of merchant vessels and urged Iran to facilitate the smooth passage of India-bound ships through the strait.

The Iranian envoy assured that India’s concerns would be conveyed to authorities in Iran.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with reports of disruptions and uncertainty affecting maritime operations. Earlier, Iran had indicated fluctuating control over the strategic waterway, leading several commercial vessels to avoid or abandon transit through the route, which handles a significant share of global oil trade.