Iranian Navy Fires on Two Indian Oil Tankers Amid Tensions
Incident Overview
Recently, the Iranian Navy opened fire on two Indian oil tankers, Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald, while the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan was docked at Kochi port after seeking asylum in India.
Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from the incident involving the two Indian vessels, as confirmed by Indian officials on Sunday. However, they noted that a window on one of the cabins was shattered. Indian authorities have conveyed a clear message to Tehran that such actions will have consequences.
It is believed that there is a disagreement between the Iranian embassy in India and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding this incident. Sources indicate that the IRGC intends to impose tolls on all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with the U.S. and Israel, a demand Indian officials are unwilling to accept.
The incident occurred while the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan was still at Kochi port, having sought refuge in India. Of the 183 crew members aboard, around 120 have already been sent back home, while essential personnel remain at the Kerala port for maintenance. The asylum request was made after another Iranian vessel, IRIS Dena, was sunk by an American submarine near Sri Lanka on March 4.
Some reports suggest that the IRGC is collecting tolls from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but an Indian official stated that India is not considering any toll payments. They emphasized that there will be repercussions for the Iranian firing incident. Both Indian tankers are large crude oil carriers, transporting millions of barrels of oil, which were targeted by the Iranian Navy on Saturday, forcing them to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz.
India Summons Iranian Ambassador
Iran had previously stated that ships from nations not involved in the conflict with the U.S. and Israel would not be targeted. Following the recent developments, India's Ministry of External Affairs has expressed strong objections. New Delhi summoned the Iranian ambassador to convey its deep displeasure regarding the incident. According to marine traffic reports, the Indian-flagged bulk carrier Jag Arnav was en route from Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, to India, while the Sanmar Herald was transporting crude oil from Iraq to India.
Officials have stated that India is taking the IRGC's firing very seriously and supports open and free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait is one of the world's most crucial oil transit corridors, accounting for 20% of global crude shipments. India is among the countries with the highest number of vessels passing through this strait, reflecting its dependence on energy imports from the Gulf region. Iran has included India in its list of friendly nations allowed to navigate this strait amid its conflict with the U.S., while vessels from other countries face threats of drone and missile attacks.