Two Indian vessels were forced back west out of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after an encounter involving Iran’s Sepah navy, according to TankerTrackers, the ship-tracking group said two Channel 16 audio recordings captured that day indicated firing was involved.
TankerTrackers said one of the vessels was an Indian-flagged very large crude carrier carrying about 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil. The group also said India is still importing Iranian oil.
In a separate warning, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a tanker reported coming under fire from two gunboats operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The incident occurrd northeast of Oman, and the tanker and its crew were reported safe, the agency said in a warning.
Reuters separately reported that at least two merchant vessels said they were hit by gunfire as they attempted to cross the strait, citing three maritime security and shipping sources. Reuters also reported that some vessels received radio messages saying no ships were allowed to pass.
The incident added fresh disruption to traffic through one of the world’s most sensitive oil shipping corridors.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
