India Protests After Iranian Fire on Two Merchant Vessels
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April 19, 2026 — India summoned Iran’s ambassador and filed a formal protest after reports that two Indian-flagged merchant ships came under fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iran’s envoy Mohammad Fathali to convey New Delhi’s “deep concern” about the “shooting incident” and to stress the high priority India places on the safety of merchant shipping and mariners. The foreign ministry also noted that Tehran had previously facilitated the safe passage of several India-bound vessels.
Maritime monitoring site TankerTrackers.com reported that Iran’s Sepah (IRGC) Navy forced two Indian vessels back west out of the Strait. One of the ships was described as an Indian-flagged VLCC supertanker reportedly carrying about 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil. The two vessels were among several attempting to transit Hormuz after Iran briefly declared the waterway open for shipping and then announced it had reimposed a blockade.
Responding to questions, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, the Iranian Supreme Leader’s representative in India, said bilateral ties remain strong and expressed hope the episode would be resolved peacefully. “We don't want this war. We want peace,” he told news agency ANI, urging peaceful solutions amid broader regional tensions.
The incident comes amid heightened volatility around the Strait of Hormuz. New Delhi reiterated its concern for the safety of seafarers and for commercial shipping lanes that are critical to global energy supplies as it pursues diplomatic channels to address the situation.