Iran shuts Hormuz again, fires at two Indian vessels after clearance
Delhi summons envoy | Won’t allow blackmail: Trump
India on Saturday summoned the Ambassador of Iran after two Indian-flagged vessels were fired upon and forced out of the Strait of Hormuz, in a sharp escalation that comes alongside renewed geopolitical brinkmanship and fragile diplomatic outreach in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs called in Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fathali for a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, conveying “deep concern” over the incident and stressing the importance India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers.
During the demarche, New Delhi also recalled that Tehran had earlier facilitated safe passage for India-bound vessels and urged that such arrangements be restored without delay. “The Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz… and urged the Ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran,” the MEA said in a statement. The Iranian envoy assured that the concerns would be relayed to Tehran.
One ship crosses, 4 others turn back
One Indian-flagged oil tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, while at least four others trying to transit the choke point turned back after Iran signalled the strategic waterway was closed again.
Amid the escalating tensions, US President Donald Trump struck a dual note, warning that the ceasefire could collapse if no agreement was reached while also signalling continued engagement. “Very good conversations going on. We are talking to them,” Trump said, while rejecting what he described as Iranian attempts to exert pressure through the Strait. “Iran can’t blackmail us,” he added, indicating further clarity could emerge within hours.
The diplomatic protest by India followed reports that two Indian vessels—Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav—were intercepted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy while attempting transit through the narrow but strategically vital waterway.
According to maritime monitor TankerTrackers, Sanmar Herald, an Indian-flagged VLCC carrying nearly 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude, came under direct fire, while both vessels were forced to retreat westward. Audio intercepts from maritime channels captured a distress call from the tanker, suggesting a sudden reversal of clearance by Iranian forces. “Sepah Navy! Motor Tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me clearance to go… You are firing now! Let me turn back!” the crew was heard saying.
The reference to “Sepah Navy” points to the IRGC’s naval arm, which has asserted operational control over the Strait amid escalating confrontation with the US.
The Iranian authorities defended the move, stating that the Strait had been brought back under “intense management and control” in response to what they described as a US-led blockade and “piracy”.
A statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council indicated that the Islamic Republic was now exercising conditional control over all maritime traffic through the Strait, including issuing transit permits, mandating navigation routes and enforcing wartime regulations.
The council said Iran had briefly allowed limited commercial passage following a temporary ceasefire earlier this month, but warned that any disruption or continued blockade efforts would be treated as a violation of the truce.
It further underlined that access to the Strait would remained conditional until a “lasting peace” was achieved, effectively signalling a prolonged phase of restricted navigation through one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.
Iran also confirmed it was reviewing fresh proposals from the US conveyed through Pakistan, with mediation efforts led by Army Chief Asim Munir, who recently visited Tehran.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the proposals were received in recent days but that no formal response had yet been issued. Earlier talks held in Islamabad reportedly failed after Tehran accused Washington of shifting positions and placing excessive demands. The ongoing ceasefire, announced on April 8 after weeks of hostilities, is set to expire on Wednesday, adding urgency to the diplomatic push.
