Indian-flagged crude oil tanker shot by Iranian navy

An Indian-flagged crude oil tanker carrying nearly two million barrels of Iraqi oil was allegedly fired upon by Iranian naval forces north of Oman on Saturday, sources said, amid heightened tensions in the region.

Two vessels, Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald, were involved in the incident, with Jag Arnav reportedly coming under direct fire, while Sanmar Herald, which was nearby, remained unharmed, they said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday called in the Iranian ambassador to India to lodge a formal protest after an Indian-flagged tanker, Sanmar Herald, was fired on by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, say people familiar with the matter.

Earlier, two Indian ships had been forced to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region.

Officials said the Indian Navy is assessing the situation, though no Indian naval vessel is currently deployed within the strait. India, however, has naval assets including destroyers, a frigate and a tanker positioned in the Gulf of Oman, they added.

Reports citing sources said the alleged firing by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is being taken seriously, with India reiterating its position in favour of free and secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

They added that another Indian tanker was in proximity at the time but was not involved in the incident.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, accounting for around 20% of global crude shipments. 

India is among the major users of this route due to its dependence on energy imports from the Gulf region.