Iran's representative downplays Hormuz shooting, says ties with India very strong

Iran’s representative of the Supreme Leader in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Sunday played down concerns over the reported shooting involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz, saying 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 while talking to news agency ANI.

Ilahi also stressed that Tehran does not seek further escalation and remains committed to peace in the region. “We don't want this war. We want peace, and we hope that the other side will also follow peace so that we can have a peaceful area,” he said.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the strategic waterway, which has seen increased friction linked to the broader US-Iran standoff.

INDIAN SHIPS COME UNDER FIRE

Two Indian-flagged merchant vessels, including a supertanker, came under gunfire on Saturday while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The ships were forced to reverse course after firing by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The supertanker was carrying nearly 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil. Audio intercepts indicated IRGC gunboats fired during the encounter as vessels were redirected westward. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre also confirmed that two IRGC gunboats opened fire on a tanker in the strait.

Earlier reports indicated gunfire between the Qeshm and Larak islands, with vessels aborting transit. A container ship was also reportedly hit, according to a maritime security source.

Several ships also picked up VHF broadcasts declaring the Strait of Hormuz “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.

INDIA FLAGS ‘DEEP CONCERN’

India summoned the Iranian ambassador to lodge a formal protest, flagging its “deep concern” over the incident. One of the vessels involved was identified as Sanmar Herald, a government source said, adding that the crew and the ship were 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 the concerns would be communicated.

Authorities said the Directorate General of Shipping is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and vessels in the region.

IRAN REIMPOSES CONTROL OVER STRAIT

Meanwhile, Iran said it has reimposed strict controls over the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US naval blockade on its ports and shipping.

Iran’s joint military command later said that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state” under armed forces supervision, warning that restrictions would continue as long as the US blockade remains in place.

Tehran had earlier allowed limited and regulated passage for oil tankers and commercial vessels following negotiations, describing it as a move made “in good faith”. That arrangement has now been rolled back.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Commission, said the strait was “returning to the status quo”, under which ships require Iranian naval authorisation and may be subject to toll payments before transit.