India ‘calls in’ Iranian envoy, conveys ‘deep concern’ after two oil tankers prevented from crossing Strait of Hormuz

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India summoned Iran's ambassador on Saturday to convey its "deep concern" after two Indian-flagged oil tankers came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the fragility of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and the threat to global energy supplies.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, and "conveyed India's deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz," according to a statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The statement, reported by Dawn and The Hindu, said Misri "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 India-bound ships.

Coverage Comparison

The incident received broad coverage, though reports varied in focus. Dawn emphasized India's official response, while The Hindu reported on the broader diplomatic context, including India's recent welcome of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and its call for unimpeded trade through the waterway. All sources agreed on the core facts: two Indian-flagged vessels were attacked, Iran's actions disrupted their transit, and India expressed serious concern.

Reuters, cited by Dawn, identified one of the vessels as the Sanmar Herald, an Indian-flagged tanker carrying crude oil. The crew and vessel were reported safe. Shipping sources told Dawn that at least two vessels reported coming under fire while attempting to transit the strait, and some merchant vessels received radio messages from Iran's navy stating that no ships were allowed through.

Key Claims

• Attacks on Indian vessels: Two Indian-flagged ships, including a crude oil tanker, were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, according to multiple reports. The crew were safe, per Reuters' report citing an Indian government source.
• Iran's closure of the strait: Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed for commercial ships on Saturday, citing the United States' continued blockade of its ports, according to Dawn. This was the first instance of India-bound energy carriers being stopped by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the ceasefire that began April 8.
• India's diplomatic response: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iran's ambassador and conveyed "deep concern," urging Iran to resume facilitating India-bound ships, according to the MEA statement. The Iranian envoy undertook to convey India's views to Iranian authorities.
• Ceasefire context: Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said a day earlier that the Strait of Hormuz was "completely open" for the remaining period of the ceasefire, but the incident on Saturday contradicted that assurance.

Perspectives

India's official position, as reported by The Hindu and Dawn, emphasizes the importance of maritime safety and unimpeded trade, while avoiding direct name-calling of parties in the conflict. The MEA's carefully worded statement on the ceasefire, which did not mention any party by name, reflected an attempt to balance ties with both Washington and Tehran.

Iran's perspective, as reported by Dawn, is that the closure was a response to the U.S. blockade of its ports, framing the action as a reciprocal measure. Iran's foreign minister had earlier suggested the strait would remain open during the ceasefire, indicating a possible policy divergence or operational miscommunication.

Since the ceasefire's inception, both sides have traded accusations of violations, and this incident represents a significant challenge to the truce. The fact that a Pakistani-brokered agreement led to the ceasefire, while India welcomed it, adds a layer of regional diplomacy that could influence future negotiations.