India confronts Iran after ships come under fire in Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route: 'Serious incident'

Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman,
April 18, 2026. Reuters.

India summoned the Iranian ambassador for a meeting after Indian ships reportedly came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.

"The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi was called in by the Ministry of External Affairs for a meeting with Foreign Secretary this evening," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"During the meeting, Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz," it continued.

"He noted the importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners and recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India," the ministry said. "Reiterating his concern at this serious incident of firing on merchant ships, Foreign Secretary urged the Ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait."

The statement follows an earlier Reuters report claiming that two merchant vessels were hit by gunfire as they attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday.

Reuters also reported that the Sanmar Herald, an Indian-flagged vessel carrying crude oil, was attacked in the Strait on Saturday.

The reported attacks came after Iranian officials reversed a decision to reopen the crucial waterway, citing an ongoing U.S. naval blockade in the Strait.

"As long as the United States does not agree to the complete freedom of navigation for vessels... the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled and in its previous state," an Iranian military official said, according to Iranian state media agency Fars.

Despite the reports, President Donald Trump said during an unrelated Oval Office press conference Saturday that negotiations are "going actually along very well." Trump also insisted that Iran "can't blackmail us."

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