An Indian crude oil tanker carrying nearly two million barrels of Iraqi oil was reportedly fired upon on Saturday by the Iranian Navy north of Oman, according to individuals familiar with the matter. The incident occurred shortly after reports emerged that two Indian vessels had been forced to alter their course near the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessels identified in the incident are Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald. Of the two, Jag Arnav is said to have come under direct fire, while Sanmar Herald, which was sailing nearby, was not targeted and remained unaffected. The circumstances surrounding the engagement are still under verification.
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The Indian Navy is currently assessing the situation and attempting to gather detailed information. Officials noted that no Indian naval ship was present in the immediate vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz at the time of the incident. However, India reportedly maintains a naval presence in the broader Gulf of Oman region, including destroyers, a frigate, and a tanker.
Authorities in India are treating the reported firing by elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seriously. India has reiterated its longstanding position in favour of maintaining free and open navigation through critical maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait, situated between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, handling nearly 20 percent of global crude shipments. India, as a major energy importer, relies heavily on this route for uninterrupted oil supplies from the Gulf region.
