Attack on Indian oil tankers in Hormuz prompts rare diplomatic rebuke against Tehran

Indian oil tankers come under fire in Hormuz: Two Indian-flagged vessels — the Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald — were fired at by Iran’s navy while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, India’s External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

The impact: The tankers were among eight stranded Indian-flagged vessels that abandoned transit after the firing incident and returned to the Arabian Gulf, Hindu reports, citing vessel tracking data. These included crude carriers, container ships, a bulk carrier, and an LPG tanker, with some vessels turning back after nearly crossing the strait.

Why it matters: The disruption has impacted shipments linked to Indian state-run refiner Indian Oil Corporation and India’s largest refiner Reliance Industries, with tankers carrying cargoes of around 2 mn barrels each. The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for India’s crude and LPG imports, and even short-term disruption can force rerouting, extend transit times, and raise freight and ins. costs for India-bound cargoes.

The attack prompted a rare diplomatic rebuke, with India’s External Affairs Ministry summoning Iran’s Ambassador in New Delhi to express concern over the incident and seek assurances on the safe passage for India-bound vessels, Reuters reports.

REMEMBER- Nine India-bound ships had cleared the strait during the war, following high-level diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Tehran. The recent firing incident appears to upend that arrangement and puts maritime security under further stress. During his meeting with Iran’s envoy, the Indian foreign secretary “noted the importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners and recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India,” according to the statement.

IN CONTEXT- Indian authorities had earlier coordinated with Iranian agencies to secure the movement of 22 ships carrying energy supplies to India.