New Delhi: After the firing incident on two Indian-flagged vessels by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday, the Indian Navy has tightened the security grid near the region.
India has also issued a fresh advisory to its vessels in the Persian Gulf, asking them to stay clear of Larak Island and transit only when directed by the Navy to ensure safety.
The Indian Navy is prioritising security for all Indian vessels waiting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, sources told India Today.
Since the war began on February 28, eleven Indian vessels have crossed the Strait. The last tanker, Desh Garima, crossed on April 18 — the same day two Indian vessels, Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald, had to turn back after being fired upon by the IRGC while attempting the passage.
A radio message by the captain of the Sanmar Herald clearly indicates that the ship had been granted clearance by the IRGC to cross the Strait before it was fired upon.
Immediately after the firing incident was reported India summoned the Iranian ambassador and lodged a strong protest, warning of far reaching consequences if its seafarers came to any harm in the region.
While the Sanmar Herald and its crew are safe, some glass panes were reportedly smashed in the firing by Iranian gunboats.
Meanwhile, the Desh Garima is now being escorted by the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea and is expected to reach Mumbai on April 22.
Indian ships have been asked to maintain a distance from Larak Island that sits at the narrowest point of the Strait and is home to a major portion of Iran’s oil infrastructure. As it is critical to Iran’s energy sector, the surrounding waters are heavily guarded, and traffic through Hormuz is closely monitored through a network of bunkers and radar systems.
Larak Island lies south of Hormuz Island in the roughly 33-km-wide Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint that carried about 20% of global oil before the Iran-US conflict.
Several Iranian bases operate on the island, capable of deploying smaller, faster boats to target vessels.
The narrow passage between the Larak and Hormuz Islands was being considered a safe passage after Iran started allowing some vessels to cross the Strait. The pre-war navigation lane further south near the Oman coast is currently being avoided, with reports suggesting possible mine-related risks in the area.
The passage of any Indian ship through the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain now unless it receives clearance from the Indian Navy.
At present, fourteen Indian commercial vessels are still in the Persian Gulf, waiting to cross Hormuz. The Indian Navy remains in constant communication with these vessels and has advised them to move only after clearance.
Seven Indian Navy ships have been deployed in close proximity to the Persian Gulf and are escorting Indian vessels once they cross the Strait of Hormuz.
