A Togo-flagged chemical tanker carrying 12 Indian crew members came under fire from the Iranian Coast Guard near the coast of Oman on April 25, prompting fresh concerns over maritime safety in the region.
The vessel, MT Siron, was sailing near the outer port limits of Shinas when the incident occurred, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) confirmed on Monday.
Addressing a press briefing, Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Director at MoPSW, said the tanker was part of a group of vessels navigating the area when Iranian Coast Guard units fired warning shots. Despite the escalation, all Indian crew members on board were reported safe.
“The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is in constant contact with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders, and remains committed to ensuring the safety of the crew and maritime operations. All Indian seafarers in the region are safe,” Randhawa stated.
Authorities said the government is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and relevant international stakeholders.
Rising Tensions in Strategic Waters
The incident adds to a series of recent confrontations involving vessels linked to India in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. In earlier cases, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly fired upon two Indian vessels — VLCC Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav — as they attempted to transit the narrow waterway, despite having prior clearance from Iranian authorities.
According to international maritime reports, including inputs from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), Iranian gunboats had engaged a tanker transiting the Strait, though no casualties were reported.
Iran’s military leadership has since asserted tighter control over the Strait of Hormuz, warning that transit restrictions would remain in place amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including a prolonged conflict and a US-led blockade of Iranian ports.
Heightened Vigilance
With the Strait of Hormuz serving as a vital global energy corridor, the recent incidents underline escalating risks to commercial shipping in the region. Indian authorities have heightened vigilance and continue diplomatic engagement to safeguard seafarers and ensure the uninterrupted flow of maritime trade.
