Iranian Ambassador Summoned After IRGC Gunboats Fire At Indian Vessels Transiting Hormuz

(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday summoned Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali over the shooting incident involving Indian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

India is believed to have lodged a strong protest with Tehran over the incident as the Indian-flagged vessels - one of which is believed to be a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) - came under fire from gunboats of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) even though the tanker and crew are reported to be safe.

Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre confirmed that a tanker came under fire from IRGC gunboats.

The UKMTO published a warning on their website saying, "Master UKMTO has received a report of an incident 20NM northeast of Oman. The Master of a Tanker reports being approached by 2 IRGC gun boats, no VHF challenge that then fired upon the tanker. Tanker and crew are reported safe. Authorities are investigating."

Another UKMTO warning Saturday evening, India time, stated that the organisation has received a report of an incident 25NM northeast of Oman.

"A report of a Container Ship being hit by an unknown projectile which caused damage to some of the containers, no fires or environment impact reported. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to report suspicious activity to UKMTO," it stated.

Iran announced on Saturday that the control of the Strait has "reverted to its previous state" amid the continuing US naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran's Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters' spokesman was quoted as saying by the country's semi-official Tasnim news agency that the Strait of Hormuz is under "strict control" of the Iranian Armed Forces and will remain in its previous operational state.

The spokesperson further stated that under the pretext of a blockade, the United States continued acts of "sea robbery" and "piracy" with repeated breaches of commitments and a history of misconduct due to which "control over the Strait of Hormuz has been returned to its previous state, and this strategic waterway is under strict management and control by the Armed Forces".

He also mentioned that the situation will remain tightly controlled and unchanged from its previous status until the restrictions on the free movement of vessels from Iran to their destination and from elsewhere to Iran are removed by the United States.

According to Xinhua news agency, vessel tracking data showed that around 10 ships turned back on Saturday while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's renewed control over the strategic waterway.

According to shipping data from Marine Traffic, the vessels reversed course in waters off Larak Island, an area used by Iran to monitor maritime traffic.

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