India on Saturday summoned Iranian envoy Dr. Mohammad Fathali and lodged a strong protest over the incident of firing on two Indian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Visuals shared by a news agency showed Dr Fathali leaving the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He reportedly met the MEA joint secretary for the Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan desk.
“India lodged a protest with the Ambassador of Iran to India, Dr. Mohammad Fathali, over the incident of firing on an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz,” the agency reported.
The development comes hours after two Indian vessels Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald were attacked by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) gunboats while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
On Friday, Iran had announced that the Hormuz Strait has been opened after the ceasefire in Lebanon.
However, the country took back control and reimposed restrictions on shipping through the chokepoint waterway in response to US President Donald Trump’s remarks that Washington will continue its military blockade of Iranian ports until a deal is signed.
According to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), “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.”
The incident took place 20NM northeast of Oman. Reports emerged that the tankers that came under attack were Indian-flagged and carrying crude oil from Iraq.