2 Indian vessels reverse course after Iran gunfire, narrowly escape Hormuz

Two Indian-flagged mercantile vessels came under gunfire on Saturday as they approached the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns in India and led to sharp reaction from the Ministry of External (MEA).

The two vessels were warned by the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC’s) naval arm while they were on the western approach of the Hormuz. The ships had turned back to ports in the UAE.

Distress call captures the moment of panic. A distress message from one of the ships, Sanmar Herald, was shared and it captured the confusion during the episode. “Sepah Navy, you gave me clearance to go… you are firing now… let me turn back,” a crew member said in an audio message posted on social media.

The reference to “Sepah Navy” is for IRGC’s naval arm, which has asserted operational control over the Strait amid escalating confrontation with the United States.

Video footage shows the Sanmar Herald navigating the Strait’s “Green Area”.

At one point, the ship switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) while travelling eastbound, before turning back after restoring the signal.

Maritime accounts said several ships encountered firing in a sensitive stretch of the waterway, where naval activity had increased amid tensions involving Iran.

One tanker captain reported that two gunboats, believed to be linked to Iran’s IRGC, approached and fired near the ships. The Iranian media, however, said shots were fired to make vessels change course.

Officials said there were no injuries or damage to either ship, even as the incident underscored rising risks in one of the world’s busiest oil transit corridors.

The incident comes as Iran tightens control over the waterway while maintaining that it remains open for commercial traffic under specific rules. At the same time, the US Navy continues operations in the region, adding to navigational risks for merchant vessels.