Hormuz blockade: Indian-flagged supertanker fired upon by gunboats as Iran reasserts control over critical waterway; IRGC warns situation will persist until…
An Indian-flagged supertanker was fired upon by Iranian gunboats when it was attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, as Iran has begun reasserting military control over the strategic control over the vital energy chokepoint.
Indian-flagged tankers comes under fire in Hormuz
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre, two merchant vessels, including an Indian-flagged tanker, came under fire from gunboats operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), while the ships were attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Two merchant vessels, including an Indian-flagged supertanker, came under gunfire while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to multiple maritime and security sources, as Iran moved to reimpose strict military control over the critical waterway.
However, both vessels and their crew are reported safe as the ships turned out following what seemed to warning shots by the IRGC.
Hormuz is ‘completely closed again’, IRGC warns ships
Shipping data showed that several ships, including an Indian-flagged supertanker carrying about 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil, were forced to reverse course after they were fired upon by Iranian attack boats. Audio intercepts suggested that IRGC gunboats fired on the ships when they attempted to pass Hormuz Straits, and redirected them westwar.
Earlier, multiple vessels turned back after they came under fire when crossing the strait between the Larak and Qeshm islands, Reuters reported. A container ship was reportedly hit in the gunfire. As per the report, some ships received VHF broadcasts announced that the Strait of Hormuz is “completely closed again”.
“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,” the message said.
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Why Iran closed Strait of Hormuz again?
This comes after Iran on Saturday announced that the Strait of Hormuz has reverted to its “previous state” of strict military control, as it was before the ceasefire deal with Israel and Lebanon, citing violations by the United States under its continued blockade of Iranian ports, despite Tehran earlier announcing the reopening of the waterway.
In a statement, the spokesperson of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said Tehran had agreed in good faith to allow limited and managed passage of oil tankers and commercial vessels through the strategic strait following negotiations but the US continued to engage in “piracy and banditry”.
“Following previous agreements in negotiations, the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed in good faith to allow a limited number of oil tankers and commercial ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in a managed manner. Unfortunately, the Americans, with their repeated record of breach of promise, continue to engage in piracy and banditry under the guise of a so-called blockade,” the spokesperson said, according to Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
Iran demands removal of US blockade
The spokesperson declared that control over the Strait has now been tightened, with the waterway placed under the “strict management and control” of Iran’s armed forces.
“For this reason, control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, and this strategic strait is under the strict management and control of the armed forces,” he said, adding that the current situation would persist unless Washington ensures what there is “complete freedom of movement” for Iranian vessels.
Iran’s response came after US President Donald Trump declared that the American naval blockade of Iranian ports will persist until a comprehensive peace agreement is finalised with Tehran, despite Iran’s move to restore access to the Strait of Hormuz.
“The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.