India Summons Iranian Envoy After Firing Incident Involving Two Tankers in Hormuz

New Delhi summonds Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fathali to protest a firing incident involving two Indian-flagged tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 11:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters and The Times of India

Diplomatic Standoff Follows Direct Firing on Indian Merchant Vessels

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that two Indian-flagged ships, including a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) carrying two million barrels of Iraqi oil, were targeted by small-arms fire while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, 2026. The vessels were identified by shipping trackers and government sources as the Sanmar Herald and an unnamed supertanker. According to reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the ships were approached by Iranian gunboats northeast of Oman and fired upon without any prior radio warning. Both the vessels and their crews were reported safe, though they were forced to abort their passage and head west back out of the waterway.

New Delhi Summons Iranian Ambassador to Protest Maritime Aggression

In response to the escalation, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri summoned Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Fathali to Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan on Saturday evening. During the meeting, Misri conveyed New Delhi’s "deep concern" and registered a strong protest over the unprovoked firing. The MEA emphasized that India attaches the highest importance to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners in the strategically vital waterway. Ambassador Fathali reportedly undertook to convey India's views to the authorities in Tehran, while the Foreign Secretary urged for the immediate resumption of safe passage for India-bound vessels.

Iran Reverses Opening of Strait Citing Continued U.S. Blockade

The incident occurred just 24 hours after Iran had declared the Strait "completely open" following a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. However, by Saturday morning, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) joint command announced that the waterway had returned to its "previous state" under strict military control. Tehran cited the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports as a violation of the "ceasefire understandings," leading to a reimposition of transit restrictions. Iranian officials warned that all commercial traffic would remain subject to "strict management" until a comprehensive regional peace deal is finalized.