A frantic audio recording from an Indian-flagged tanker has captured a tense exchange during a firing incident in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian forces targeted two merchant vessels attempting to transit the channel.
In the audio, the captain of motor tanker Sanmar Herald can be heard urgently calling out:
“Sepah Navy! Sepah Navy! This is a motor tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me clearance to go! My name is second on your list! You gave me clearance to go! You are firing now! Let me turn back!”
The audio emerges a day after two Indian-flagged merchant vessels, including a supertanker, came under gunfire on Saturday while attempting to pass through the strait. The ships reversed course after personnel from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) opened fire.
Officials said the supertanker was carrying nearly 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil at the time of the incident. Audio intercepts suggested IRGC gunboats fired during the encounter as vessels were redirected westward. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed that two IRGC gunboats opened fire on a tanker in the strait.
Earlier reports indicated gunfire between Qeshm and Larak islands, prompting vessels to abort transit. A maritime security source said a container ship was also reportedly hit during the episode.
Several ships in the region picked up VHF broadcasts declaring the Strait of Hormuz “completely closed again.” The broadcast warned:
“Attention all ships, regarding the failure of the US government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”
India responded by summoning the Iranian ambassador and lodging a formal protest, expressing “deep concern” over the incident. A government source identified one of the vessels involved as Sanmar Herald and confirmed that both the ship and its crew remained safe.
The MEA said India’s top foreign ministry official urged the envoy to convey New Delhi’s concerns to Iranian authorities and called for the early resumption of safe passage for India-bound ships. The ambassador assured that he would communicate the concerns.
Authorities added that the Directorate General of Shipping is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and vessels operating in the region.
Meanwhile, Iran’s representative of the Supreme Leader in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, downplayed concerns over the reported firing. Speaking to ANI, he said he was not aware of the specifics of the incident.
“The relationship between Iran and India is very strong, and I don't know anything about this event which you mentioned. We hope that it will be okay, and it will be solved,” Ilahi said.
