An Indian-flagged crude oil tanker was attacked on Saturday while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Indian government source.
The vessel has been identified as the Sanmar Herald. The source confirmed that the crew and the vessel remain safe.
The incident comes just one day after shipping traffic had begun to resume following a temporary easing of restrictions. At least two merchant vessels reported being hit by gunfire as they tried to navigate the strait on Saturday, Reuters reported earlier.
In response, India has summoned Iran’s ambassador to New Delhi to register its serious concern over the safety of Indian vessels and crew in the strategically vital waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas shipments normally pass.
US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that Iran had agreed to reopen the strait. However, tensions escalated again when Iranian officials demanded the complete lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian tankers.
Shipping data showed that more than a dozen tankers, including three under sanctions, had successfully passed through the strait on Friday after a 50-day blockade was lifted. Restrictions were reportedly reimposed by Iran on Saturday, with some vessels coming under fire.
The attack on the Indian-flagged Sanmar Herald highlights the fragile nature of the current truce and the ongoing risks to commercial shipping in the region.
India’s swift diplomatic response underscores New Delhi’s growing concern over the security of its energy imports, as the country relies heavily on oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Further details on the exact nature of the attack and the perpetrators are still awaited.
Source: Reuters
